Bugs are tiny creatures that can do remarkable things, just like kids! Maybe that is why kids love to learn about them. This list of 50 bug books for kids is full of fiction and nonfiction books that are perfect for teaching little readers all about bugs and insects! Use these insect books for kids with preschool, kindergarten, first grade, 2nd grade, 3rd grade, 4th grade, and up! Simply pick your favorite bug books for children and get reading!
Bug Books for Kids
Calling all parents and educators! Are your little ones fascinated by the world of bugs and insects? Look no further! We’ve compiled a list of 50 incredible bug books that will captivate young readers and teach them all about these remarkable creatures. From fiction to nonfiction, this collection has something for everyone. Let their imaginations soar as they explore the magical world of bugs!
Insect books for kids
Looking for engaging and educational books for your little ones? Check out our collection of insect books for kids! From beautiful illustrations to fascinating facts, these books are designed to spark curiosity and inspire learning about the incredible world of insects. Whether your child is a bug enthusiast or just curious about creepy crawlies, these books will captivate their imagination and help them discover the wonders of nature.
How Does a Caterpillar Change? was written and illustrated by Eric Carle. This simple board book uses Carle’s signature illustration style and the popular Hungry Caterpillar to teach the life cycle of caterpillars and butterflies.
Some Bugs was written by Angela DiTerlizzi and illustrated by Brendan Wenzel. In this brightly colored book, the author uses a short rhyming text to share the actions and behaviors of backyard bugs.
Insects was written by Ruth A. Musgrave. This fact-filled board book uses simple text and large, clear illustrations to teach kids about insects. There are additional facts about insects scattered in captions throughout the book.
Bugs! Bugs! Bugs! was written by Bob Barner. Young readers will enjoy learning the basic facts about bugs in this simple board book. The cartoon illustrations are paired with an easy to read text, and the book includes a simple bug chart as well.
The Bug Book was written by Sue Fliess. This fascinating introduction to bugs uses a rhyming text and brightly colored photographs to teach young readers about all kinds of bugs.
Becoming a Butterfly was written by Ruth A. Musgrave. In this informative board book, the author uses a simple text in brightly colored fonts and detailed photographs to introduce readers to the life cycle of caterpillars and butterflies.
The Very Hungry Caterpillar was written and illustrated by Eric Carle. This classic children’s book follows a very hungry caterpillar as he eats his way through all kinds of foods and eventually becomes a butterfly.
Mrs. Peanuckle’s Bug Alphabet was written by Mrs. Peanuckle and illustrated by Jessie Ford. This alphabet book pairs each letter with a bug whose name starts with that letter. Each page features a fact about the bug and a colorful cartoon illustration.
Bugs: A Peek Through Picture Book was written by Britta Teckentrup. This interactive book uses a rhyming text and colorful illustrations that feature holes in the pages which allow kids to peek through to the next page.
The Backyard Bug Book for Kids was written by Lauren Davidson. This cute book follows a curious little caterpillar as he journeys around meeting other insects and wondering what he will become. There are facts about each bug shared in little captions on the photographs too.
Bug books for children
The Grouchy Ladybug was written and illustrated by Eric Carle. This classic children’s book follows a grumpy ladybug who doesn’t want to share or use manners and learns that being grouchy isn’t always best.
Bugs A to Z was written by Caroline Lawton. This alphabet book introduces different bugs through each letter of the alphabet. Each page features a different letter with facts about each featured bug as well as detailed photographs.
Spiders was written by Laura Marsh.This early reader uses an easy to read text and large, detailed illustrations to teach kids interesting facts about spiders. There are lots of nonfiction text features for beginning readers to explore as well.
Bugs! was written by Shira Evans. This pre-reader from National Geographic introduces beginning readers to all kinds of bugs with simple text, colorful photographs, and other nonfiction text features.
ABC Bug Book for Kids was written by Jessica Lee Anderson. This alphabet book introduces bugs for every letter of the alphabet. Each two page spread features a different bug and letter, with easy to read text, colorful photographs, and interesting facts.
Little Kids First Big Book of Bugs was written by Catherine D. Hughes. This reference book for kids features profiles of all kinds of bugs, teaching readers about their diets, homes, and more.
Explore My World: Honey Bees was written by Jill Esbaum. This nonfiction book from National Geographic teaches young readers about honey bees with tons of interesting facts, and large, detailed photographs.
Bella Loves Bugs was written by Jess French and illustrated by Duncan Beedle. This cute storybook follows a young girl named Bella as she shares her love of bugs with her friends at school. The book is full of bug facts, as well as information about interacting with insects.
My Little Golden Book about Bugs was written by Bonnie Bader and illustrated by Emma Jayne. This fact filled picture book uses engaging text and colorful cartoon illustrations to teach young readers about a variety of insects.
The Icky Bug Alphabet Book was written by Jerry Pallotta and illustrated by Ralph Masiello. This alphabet book pairs each letter of the alphabet with a different bug, sharing interesting insect facts with young readers.
Childrens books about bugs
Bob and Otto was written by Robert O. Bruel and illustrated by Nick Bruel. In this sweet book, a caterpillar and an earthworm become friends. But when the caterpillar climbs a tree and becomes a butterfly, the two friends learn what makes them different.
Little Kids First Nature Guide: Bugs was written by Alli Brydon. This brightly colored nature guide introduces young readers to all kinds of bugs with fact filled text and detailed photographs.
National Geographic Readers: Bees was written by Laura Marsh. This early reader teaches beginning readers about bees through informative, easy to read text and lots of photographs zoomed in to show great details.
On Beyond Bugs: All About Insects was written by Tish Rabe and illustrated by Aristides Ruiz. Join the Cat in the Hat as he teaches kids about a variety of bugs through peppy rhyming text and colorful cartoon illustrations.
National Geographic Readers: Ants was written by Melissa Stewart. This level 1 early reader teaches kids all about ants and the amazing things they can do. The simple text is paired with detailed photographs that will engage young readers.
The Firefly With No Glow was written by Rebecca Smallberg and illustrated by Jessica Gibson. This level 2 early reader tells the story of Luke, a little firefly without a glow. The sweet story about celebrating what makes us unique is paired with brightly colored cartoon illustrations that kids will enjoy.
National Geographic Readers: Caterpillar to Butterfly was written by Laura Marsh. This level 1 early reader shares the life cycle of caterpillars and butterflies with engaging text and detailed photographs.
Garden Wigglers: Earthworms in Your Backyard written by Nancy Loewen and illustrated by Rick Charles Peterson. In this fact filled book, young readers can learn about the characteristics, life cycle, and behavior of earthworms through engaging text and colorful illustrations.
I Love Bugs! was written by Philemon Sturges and illustrated by Shari Halpern. This adorable book follows a young boy as he explores the bugs all around him. The rhyming text is paired with cute cartoon illustrations.
The Bug Girl: A True Story was written by Sophia Spencer and Margaret McNamara and illustrated by Kerascoet. This book shares the story of Sophia, a young girl who was bullied for loving bugs, and the female scientists who rallied around her to share a love of science.
Childrens books about insects
Cricket in the Thicket was written by Carol Murray and illustrated by Melissa Sweet. This colorful book contains a collection of poems full of facts about bugs. The poems are paired with mixed media illustrations, and the back of the book contains more facts about the bugs featured in the book.
Buzz, Bee! was written by Jennifer Szymanski. This level 1 early reader from National Geographic Kids uses short, simple sentences and vibrant photographs to teach readers about bees and what they do.
I Like Bugs was written by Margaret Wise Brown and illustrated by G. Brian Karas. This level 1 early reader celebrates all the different kinds of bugs in the world with short, simple sentences and colorful cartoon illustrations.
The Magic School Bus Inside a Beehive was written by Joanna Cole and illustrated by Bruce Degan. Join Ms. Frizzle and her class as they journey inside a beehive and learn about honeybees and how they make honey.
Ladybugs was written by Gail Gibbons. This informative book teaches readers about ladybugs, their habitats, and their behaviors. The fact filled text is paired with detailed illustrations.
My, Oh My — A Butterfly! All About Butterflies was written by Tish Rabe and illustrated by Aristides Ruiz and Joe Mathieu. Join the Cat in the Hat, Dick, and Sally as they watch a caterpillar change into a butterfly.
I, Fly: The Buzz About Flies and How Awesome They Are was written by Bridget Heos and illustrated by Jennifer Plecas. This funny story follows a fly who is tired of butterflies getting all the attention, and decides to teach kids all about flies instead.
100 Bugs! A Counting Book was written by Kate Narita and illustrated by Suzanne Kaufman. This counting book teaches kids how to count to 10 in 10 different ways, and explores all kinds of bugs found in the backyard.
Insect Superpowers was written by Kate Messner and illustrated by Jillian NIckell. This informative guide uses comic book style illustrations to share the incredible abilities of 18 different real world insects.
The Magic School Bus Presents: Insects was written by Tom Jackson and illustrated by Carolyn Bracken. This nonfiction companion book to the popular book series uses large, detailed photographs and fact filled text to introduce young readers to facts about bugs,
Kaia and the Bees was written by Maribeth Boelts and illustrated by Angela Dominguez. This book follows a young girl named Kaia who isn’t afraid of anything – except bees. Her beekeeper parents explain how important bees are, but will she be able to overcome her fear?
Please Please the Bees was written and illustrated by Gerald Kelley. When the bees decide to go on strike, their friend Benedict the bear must learn all that they do and how he can make things easier for them.
Diary of a Spider was written by Doreen Cronin and illustrated by Harry Bliss. This adorable diary style book follows a little spider through his daily life. Kids will love seeing spiders act as humans do, and the funny bits throughout the book.
There’s a Bug on My Book! was written and illustrated by John Himmelman. This interactive book encourages readers to interact with the story, while teaching them about different kinds of bugs.
Bug books
The Honeybee was written by Kirsten Hall and illustrated by Isabelle Arsenault. This beautiful book celebrates the hard work of the honeybee with lyrical text and colorful illustrations.
The Very Impatient Caterpillar was written and illustrated by Ross Burach. In this hilarious story, a loud, impatient caterpillar learns about metamorphosis. Kids will love the funny character and may relate to his struggle to be patient,
Moth & Butterfly: Ta-Da! was written by Dev Petty and illustrated by Ana Aranda. Join two caterpillar friends as they celebrate the things they have in common and the things that make them different.
How to Survive as a Firefly was written by Kristen Foote and illustrated by Erica Salcedo. Join a group of larvae as they learn how to become fireflies. The text is full of information about fireflies, while the funny illustrations show an adult firefly teaching the next generation.
Small Wonders: Jean-Henri Fabre and His World of Insects was written by Matthew Clark Smith and illustrated by Giuliano Ferri. This biographical book shares the story of Jean-Henri Fabre and how he changed the way the world views insects.
A Beetle is Shy was written by Dianna Hutts Aston and illustrated by Sylvia Long. This informative guide to beetles uses a poetic text and beautiful, detailed illustrations to introduce kids to a wide variety of beetles.
Insect Experts in the Rain Forest was written by Sue Fliess and illustrated by Mia Powell. Follow a team of kid entomologists as they study a variety of insects in the rain forest. The engaging text is paired with adorable cartoon illustrations.
