With its eye-poppingly vivid computer-enhanced pictures and kid-friendly snippets of entertaining information, this title makes a solid addition to the growing list of Jerry Pallotta/David Biedrzycki collaborations. Each page presents a fact or two about an alphabetical array of beetles with an occasional fact explaining what separates beetles from spiders and other insects. The pictures are gorgeous, placing the focus squarely on the beetles and blowing the critters up to fill the page. Each illustration, except the first, also contains a silhouette of the featured beetle. A map to show where in the world this astonishing variety of beetles can be found would have been a nice addition, as would some help in identifying which of the five metallic beetles on the Z page is the Zinc Metallic Beetle. Tha hand lettering on the diagram of beetle anatomy may challenge som eyoung readers, but who won't enjoy discovering that beetles have seven hearts? This lively introduction to the abundant and extraordinarily diverse world of beetles will surely inspire a few coleopterists (beetle specialists). Special note: The artist has hidden the names of the Beatles and many of their songs within the intricate patterns and fine little hairs on the beetles. It is guaranteed to puzzle children and to drive adults nuts as they hunt for them!

A fascinating look at beetles from A to Z, offering readers a wide array of intriguing facts with a bit of humor tossed in. Children are encouraged to recognize the differences between beetles and non-beetles. ("I am a spider, not a beetle...Spiders have eight legs, not six.") The author's enthusiasm for his subject and his fresh quick-moving style of writing add to the appeal. Biedrzycki's realistic illustrations are bold, colorful, and painstakingly detailed. The artwork is absolutely luminous, giving a beauty to these insects. It will draw readers in, but the text will keep them turning pages. This combination of glorious illustrations and interesting information makes for a fine addition to any science collection.

Beetle-mania runs wild in Jerry Pallotta's latest nature ABC, The Beetle Alphabet Book, illus. by David Biedrzycki. From African Goliath to Zinc Metallic Beetles, the book is both informative and humorous, benefiting from Biedrzycki's lush illustrations. The text ranges from educational (e.g., "The male Giraffe Beetle uses his unique neck to roll up leaves") to entertaining ("It is not polite to ask a ladybug her age").

If you are expecting this book to begin with something like “A is for apple” you are in for a big surprise. This book is all about beetles, lots of beetles; beetles of all shapes, sizes, and colors. And it is likely that you are going to learn some very surprising things about these versatile and highly successful creatures. The author and illustrator begin, on the A page, with the African Goliath Beetle. This beetle is so large that they almost cover ones hand when one picks them up. Many African children keep them as pets. Just before we get to meet the June Bug on the J page, a bee hums into view. The author has to tell it to “buzz off” because bees are not beetles. And this is not the only interloper who tries to sneak into the book. A spider, which isn’t even an insect, also does not belong in this collection of beetles. With humor, a colorful collection of beetles, and interesting descriptions, Jerry Pallotta makes this special book both informative and entertaining. Among other things we learn that there is such as thing as a Violin beetle (which does look rather like the musical instrument), and that the young of dung beetles think that “poop in delicious.” We also get to look at some amazing pictures which are so life-like at times that one almost expects the beetles to walk off the page! Jerry Pallotta has created several other insect related alphabet books including the very popular “The Yucky Bug Alphabet Book.”