Tag Archive | children’s book

The Children’s Book Review.com has a new review!

It’s fun when a reviewer understands the concept of the book!  Check out what The Children’s Book Review.com has to say.

“..The text is clear and concise and multi-layered in a way that appeals to beginning readers through to advanced readers—or beginning readers sharing in a reading session with a parent or teacher. Large bold type with easy words and short sentences are ideal for an easier reading experience. More advanced readers that are ready for smaller text and eager to digest more information and fun facts on bugs are offered a deeper learning aspect as Donaho delves further into the natural world and shares specifics on the bugs found in each of his photographs..”

cropped-imgp4149.jpgNew!  You can have your signed and personalized copy of There’s a Bug in my Blossom shipped anywhere in the US for $15.00.  For more information email us.  [email protected]

Clearly this is not a bug!

Hummingbird at flowerThere is a lot more to see in a garden or field than just plants.  Flowers are nature’s way of attracting a wide variety of creatures.  Many plants need wildlife to help with pollination. A flower or vegetable garden or a field of blooming weeds is full of life.  Some come directly to feed on nectar or collect pollen such as bees, butterflies and hummingbirds.  Others, like spiders, wasps, assassin bugs and praying mantis, are attracted to areas with flowers because the bugs they eat are in the plants.  Then, larger animals such as lizards and birds are attracted to the area because of the variety of insects they can find there.

Hummingbird at flower

Female Ruby-throat Hummingbird at Hummingbird Bush

Hummingbirds are a special sight. They are fun to watch at a hummingbird feeder, but watching them feed at flowers is more fun to me.  This little female Ruby-throat Hummingbird checked out every bloom in the garden. I was able to catch a picture of her feeding at the aptly named Hummingbird flower yesterday.  She seems to prefer Hibiscus flowers too.

Some butterflies like specific flowers.  The Monarch butterfly requires the Butterfly Weed, also known as Milkweed, to lay eggs.

Monarch Butterfly

Monarch Butterfly on Milkweed

The Monarch larvae or caterpillars feed almost exclusively on Milkweed as they grow and prepare to undergo metamorphosis into a butterfly.  Other butterfly species have their preferred plants too.  When you think about it, that helps reduce the new caterpillars’ competition for the same plants after the butterfly eggs hatch.   Caterpillars have to eat a lot to grow and turn into a butterfly!

I have a wide variety of flowers in my back yard to hopefully attract different types of wildlife. It works beautifully most of the time.  I have discovered that something must be missing though.  A beautiful Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly passes through the yard several times a day without stopping. They like daisies. I have a daisy plant in a pot.  Perhaps they require more than one pot of daisies to make it worthwhile to stop and feed?

A great place to watch for butterflies, insects and other animals attracted by flowers is at a garden center. The large concentration of flowering plants attracts a lot of attention from insects. And it is free to walk around! Some of the pictures for There’s a Bug in my Blossom were taken at garden centers.

We can enjoy all that nature has to offer whether in our own yard, at the park or a garden center.  We just need to get out and observe.  And yes, sometimes flowers attract all sorts of wildlife!

Squirrel and daisies

Freddy Squirrel

The Kirkus Review is in!

Book Review: Tiger SwallowtailThere’s a Bug in My Blossom

“Get a closer view of a variety of insects and plants in this bright, engaging children’s book.

Featuring a handful of animals, including a cat who implores readers to explore the insects and plants around them, this educational book dives quickly into descriptions of common and not-so-common crawling creatures—carpenter bees and their wood-boring habits, grasshoppers, wolf spiders, walking sticks and even predatory lizards…. There’s also a
discussion on the effects of pesticides on insects, dying bee colonies, how bugs help pollinate plants, butterfly coloration and more—overall, a well-rounded look at insect life. Donaho’s debut children’s book boasts clear, brightly colored photos that immerse readers in the insects’ habitats. Vibrant and engaging, they add a special touch…. The book also offers tips on how to look for insects in flowers in readers’ own backyards—a nice inclusion sure to inspire some afternoon exploring.

One part education and one part entertainment, this vibrant book will delight readers of all ages, from bug beginners to almost-entomologists.” – Kirkus Reviews 

There’s a Bug in my Blossom receives 5-Star Review!

5star-flat-web

Readers’ Favorite 5-Star Rating!

“There’s a Bug in my Blossom should get even kids who hate or are scared of bugs looking in flowers to see who’s in there. There’s a Bug in my Blossom is both educational and a lot of fun, and it’s highly recommended.” – Readers’ Favorite

Read the full review

Bugs in My Blossoms

 

Look for my new book, There’s a Bug in My Blossom, available for order now at Amazon and Barnes and Noble!

This website will help you explore and share your experiences!  We can talk about how to see and photograph those tiny things and those that are larger.  We’ll also look at why all of these living things have a place in the grand scheme of things.

 

What things can you see in the garden?  Freddy Squirrel would like to see your pictures and drawings of bugs and other critters you find in your flowers.