Do your kids love bugs? Are they fascinated by creepy crawlies? Picture books about bugs and insects are perfect for capturing and holding the interest of your kids at home or in the classroom. This book list features 40 of my favorite books for an insects and bugs theme that will inform and entertain your little entomologists.
Books About Bugs and Insects for Preschool and Pre-K Kids
I Love Bugs! by Philomen Sturges
The reader is invited to explore the amazing world of bugs! From the hungry caterpillars, to the busy ants, and graceful dragonflies; which one is your favorite?
Hank’s Big Day, by Evan Kuhlman
A pill bug with a busy life forms an unusual friendship with a little girl in this delightfully charming picture book, perfect for reading aloud to your little learners.
Beetle Bop, by Denise Fleming
Your kids will love the sing song rhymes and illustrations about creepy crawly beetles in this book from popular children’s author Denise Fleming.
A Ladybug’s Life, by John Himmelman
Beautiful watercolor illustrations teach readers about the ladybug life cycle, and how their diet helps save important plants.
Are You a Grasshopper? by Judy Allen
Books About Bees
Give Bees a Chance, by Bethany Barton
Another good choice to help young children understand that they don’t have to be afraid of bees.
Bee: A Peek-Through Picture Book, by Britta Teckentrup
An inviting and age-appropriate lesson about the big ways a tiny insect can benefit the environment. Your little learners will be both thrilled and delighted by the vibrant multimedia collages in this lively peek-a-boo picture book. This book is one of my favorites books about bugs and insects, I’m completely smitten and so are my students!
The Honeybee, by Kirsten Hall
Vibrant rhyming verse and breathtakingly gorgeous illustrations make this the perfect choice to read aloud in any early childhood classroom.
The Beeman, by Laurie Krebs
This award-winning rhyming book even has a fun recipe at the end, a must-read for your budding little beekeepers!
Bee and Me, by Elle J. McGuinness
Readers will be able to identify with the boy in the story and his fear of bees, but thankfully, the bee who accidentally got stuck in the boy’s room explains how important bees are to our world.
Buzzy the Bumblebee, by Denise Brennan-Nelson
A precious little picture book that will encourage young children to overcome their fear of bees.
In the Trees, Honey Bees, by Lori Mortensen
The perfect book to introduce preschoolers to insects and how important they are to our world.
Kaia and the Bees, by Maribeth Boelts
All children can relate to Kaia and her fear of bees. But her dad, the beekeeper, helps her understand why the world needs bees.
Books About Ants
Are You an Ant? by Judy Allen
Children will explore ants and how they live and work, while comparing how they’re different from us.
Hey, Little Ant, by Phillip M. Hoose
A fun little book that teaches readers about the need to show kindness and respect to others, both animals and humans.
Ants, by Melissa Stewart
Learn all about ants and how they impact our world in this age-appropriate non-fiction book.
The Ants Go Marching, by Dan Crisp
Your kids will love looking for Little Ant and counting the ants on the pages. There are so many ways for children to interact and play along while reading.
Books About Butterflies
The Very Hungry Caterpillar, by Eric Carle
What book list about insects would be complete without The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle? “In the light of the moon a little egg lay on a leaf.” So begins Carle’s tale of the metamorphosis of the butterfly that has captivated generations of children worldwide.
A Butterfly is Patient, by Dianna Hutts Aston
A beautifully illustrated and informative introduction to the world of butterflies. Of particular note is the language used in the book, every page features “A butterfly is…” followed by a descriptive adjective. This book provides many opportunities for developing little vocabularies. It’s also perfect for the creation of a class book- ask each child to fill in the blank at the end with their own words to expand vocabulary.
Mighty Wings, by Debbie Clement and Sarah Joy
Are You a Butterfly? by Judy Allen
The lovely illustrations in this fact-filled book will introduce your little learners to butterflies and their life cycle.
Caterpillar to Butterfly, by Laura Marsh
You can’t go wrong with National Geographic Kids! Your little ones will enjoy the real-life photographs of butterflies as they learn about their life cycle.
Waiting for Wings, by Lois Ehlert
Every spring, butterflies dazzle us with their vibrant beauty. Where do butterflies come from? What do they eat- and how? The simple rhyming text and colorful collages provide answers to these and other questions. Ehlert follows the life cycle of four common butterflies, from their beginnings as tiny eggs and hungry caterpillars to their glorious transformation. This is not your average butterfly book, it includes butterfly and flower facts and identification tips, as well as a guide to planting a butterfly garden.
Books About Flies
There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly, by Simms Taback
Your kids will have a blast chanting along to this classic rhyme!
Old Black Fly, by Jim Aylesworth
A sing-song story about a silly fly and all he does to pester a family on a hot summer day.
The Fly, by Petr Horacek
Flies aren’t pesky, they’re just misunderstood – according to the main character in this beautifully illustrated tale. The bright mixed-media illustrations and clever cut-outs make this interactive book a sure hit with the preschool crowd!
Books About Bugs and Insects for Preschoolers
In the Tall, Tall Grass, by Denise Fleming
What do you see creeping, crawling and hopping in the tall, tall grass? The simple rhyming text and onomatopoeia lend themselves well to a fun, interactive read-aloud session that incorporates both movement and sound. The creatively stunning illustrations can lead to further opportunities for discussion and art exploration. A must have for any picture book lover!
Bugs! Bugs! Bugs!, by Bob Barner
Ladybugs, butterflies, daddy longlegs, and roly-poly bugs are some of the creatures featured in this beautifully illustrated book. Featuring fun facts about each bug, Bugs! Bugs! Bugs! is sure to inform and entertain your little bug lovers.
The Bug Book, by Sue Fliess
Children will love the sing song rhymes that reveal all the amazing bugs in their world.
National Geographic Little Kids First Big Book of Bugs, by Catherine Hughes
The Big Book of Bugs is the perfect non-fiction addition to your preschool classroom library. Your kids will enjoy looking at the stunning photographs of a variety of bugs and learning fun facts.
Look Closer: Bugs, by DK Publishing
This book features vibrant, close-up photographs and is filled with fun facts and detailed information about the habitats and diets of bugs.
Some Bugs, by Angela DiTerlizzi
Did you know your backyard is filled with all sorts of amazing bugs just waiting to be found? Go on an insect hunt after learning all about how bugs move! This is the perfect book to enhance young children’s vocabularies.
Bugs A to Z, by Caroline Lawton
The larger than life vibrant photos coupled with fun buggy facts make this book a great addition to your preschool bookshelf.
Insect Books for Kids
The following non-fiction books about bugs and insects feature beautiful photographs and informative text that is appropriate for young children.
Fireflies, by Mary R. Dunn
So many children run around trying to catch fireflies! They will love learning about the bugs they see outside.
Bumble Bees, by Fran Howard
In this book, readers will learn all about bumble bees, plus they’ll get a close up look at them through vivid, real-life photos.
Ladybugs, by Margaret Hall
Lots of full-color photographs to help your preschoolers learn all they need to know about ladybugs.
Butterflies, by Fran Howard
You can’t go wrong with real photographs of butterflies!
Praying Mantises, by Margaret Hall
Did you know praying mantises are important to our world?
Ladybugs, by Lisa J. Amstutz
Praying Mantises, by Lisa J. Amstutz
Grasshoppers, by Lisa J. Amstutz
Dragonflies, by Robin Nelson
More Insect Ideas
Insect Science: Ant Life Cycle Craft – This preschool science activity involves creating an ant life cycle craft and would be a wonderful addition to any insect themed learning experience at home or in the classroom!
Insect Alphabet Matching Game – Learning about insects is a perfect springtime theme for preschoolers. This insect alphabet matching activity will allow your children to look closely at the characteristics of insects and help your preschoolers learn uppercase and lowercase letters.
Printable Insect Classification Activity- Learning about insects is a fun way to celebrate the spring season! This activity involves classifying insects and animals using hands-on materials to accompany one of my favorite children’s books.
