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Icky Bug Books
The Icky Bug Counting Book
Learn to count in this “icky� introduction to bugs and numbers. For most children, insects and the small world they inhabit is endlessly creepy, crawly, and fascinating. Best-selling author Jerry Pallotta delivers a fun first concepts book that uncovers the wild world of bugs and insects. From the Zebra Swallowtail Butterfly to Yellowjacket Flies, readers will learn intriguing facts while practicing their numbers. Pallotta’s signature witty yet scientific text paired with Masiello’s vivid and detailed illustrations makes this exploration of all things creepy-crawly one that will keep readers engaged and curious as they learn about the natural world of bugs.
32 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 1991
5 people are currently reading
100 people want to read
About the author
Jerry Pallotta
226books110followersMy full name is Gerard Larry Pallotta but my mom always called me "Jerry". I was born on March 26, 1953 in Boston, Massachusetts. My mom's name is Mary, and she came from a family of ten children. My dad's name is Joe, and he came from a family of five children. My grandparents were immigrants of Italian descent. I have the nicest parents in the world. They have always been unselfish and ready to help me, even today. I have four brothers and two sisters: Joey, David, Andrew, Danny, Cindy and Mickey. I have seventy-two first cousins. When I was growing up, there were...KIDS EVERYWHERE!
My family moved to Medford, Massachusetts when I was young. I went to elementary school at Mt. Trinity Academy, not far from where my publisher is located in Watertown, Massachusetts. I never wrote a book in elementary school, and we never kept journals. In the neighborhood where I grew up, almost every family had seven to nine children. I guess that you could say that there were...KIDS EVERYWHERE!
I went to high school at Boston College High School, a Jesuit all-boys school in downtown Boston. The priests and other teachers were really wonderful. I played football and ran track. I had a great high school experience and I think later it made my studies in college much easier. My sons Neil and Eric graduated from Boston College High School in 2001 and 2003. Neil was named after a teacher I had, Fr. Neil Callahan, S.J. I never wrote a book in high school, and I never wrote for the school newspaper. I was too shy and was afraid of what other kids would think.
After high school I went to Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. I majored in business, a subject that would help me later in life when I decided to publish my first book. At Georgetown, I met my wife, Linda. In college I was an average student and was captain of the Georgetown University Rugby Team. I never wrote for the college newspaper, and I never imaged writing books. A couple of years later, Linda and I got married and I started to work at an insurance company in Boston. During the first six years of being married, we had four kids. It seemed like there were...KIDS EVERYWHERE!
Today, we spend a lot of time with my 31 nieces and nephews...again...KIDS EVERYWHERE!
I learned valuable skills while talking to people, selling insurance and collecting money. When I came home from work, Linda would ask me to "read to the kids!" I loved reading to my kids and I learned to appreciate children's books. The first few books that we bought were alphabet books and counting books. "A" was always for Apple and "Z" was always for Zebra. One day I decided, "Hey, I can do this!" I had an idea. I would write an alphabet book about the Atlantic Ocean. I spent every summer at Peggotty Beach in Scituate, Massachusetts. I have great memories of lobstering, fishing, mossing, clamming and rowing in my dory.
My first book was written in 1985 when I was 32 years old. I came up with the idea, wrote it, designed it, researched it, edited it and my cousin, Frank Mazzola, Jr. illustrated it. I published it myself under the name of Peggotty Beach Books. What fun! It was first printed on July 7, 1986. I'll never forget that day. The book eventually became the #1 best selling book at the New England Aquarium. I was afraid that only my mother would like it. Teachers and kids told me they really liked my book.
While speaking in schools, teachers also told me they were looking for simple non-fiction nature books. It gave me the confidence to write more. My next book, "The Icky Bug Alphabet Book", has sold more than 1 million copies. My third book, "The Bird Alphabet Book" was voted one of the best books of the year by Birders World Magazine. I now have over twenty alphabet books. My goal has always been to write interesting, fact-filled, fun to read, beautifully illustrated color children's books. Thank you to all my illustrators: Ralph Masiello, Frank Mazzola, Jr., Rob Bolster, Edgar Stewart, Leslie
My family moved to Medford, Massachusetts when I was young. I went to elementary school at Mt. Trinity Academy, not far from where my publisher is located in Watertown, Massachusetts. I never wrote a book in elementary school, and we never kept journals. In the neighborhood where I grew up, almost every family had seven to nine children. I guess that you could say that there were...KIDS EVERYWHERE!
I went to high school at Boston College High School, a Jesuit all-boys school in downtown Boston. The priests and other teachers were really wonderful. I played football and ran track. I had a great high school experience and I think later it made my studies in college much easier. My sons Neil and Eric graduated from Boston College High School in 2001 and 2003. Neil was named after a teacher I had, Fr. Neil Callahan, S.J. I never wrote a book in high school, and I never wrote for the school newspaper. I was too shy and was afraid of what other kids would think.
After high school I went to Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. I majored in business, a subject that would help me later in life when I decided to publish my first book. At Georgetown, I met my wife, Linda. In college I was an average student and was captain of the Georgetown University Rugby Team. I never wrote for the college newspaper, and I never imaged writing books. A couple of years later, Linda and I got married and I started to work at an insurance company in Boston. During the first six years of being married, we had four kids. It seemed like there were...KIDS EVERYWHERE!
Today, we spend a lot of time with my 31 nieces and nephews...again...KIDS EVERYWHERE!
I learned valuable skills while talking to people, selling insurance and collecting money. When I came home from work, Linda would ask me to "read to the kids!" I loved reading to my kids and I learned to appreciate children's books. The first few books that we bought were alphabet books and counting books. "A" was always for Apple and "Z" was always for Zebra. One day I decided, "Hey, I can do this!" I had an idea. I would write an alphabet book about the Atlantic Ocean. I spent every summer at Peggotty Beach in Scituate, Massachusetts. I have great memories of lobstering, fishing, mossing, clamming and rowing in my dory.
My first book was written in 1985 when I was 32 years old. I came up with the idea, wrote it, designed it, researched it, edited it and my cousin, Frank Mazzola, Jr. illustrated it. I published it myself under the name of Peggotty Beach Books. What fun! It was first printed on July 7, 1986. I'll never forget that day. The book eventually became the #1 best selling book at the New England Aquarium. I was afraid that only my mother would like it. Teachers and kids told me they really liked my book.
While speaking in schools, teachers also told me they were looking for simple non-fiction nature books. It gave me the confidence to write more. My next book, "The Icky Bug Alphabet Book", has sold more than 1 million copies. My third book, "The Bird Alphabet Book" was voted one of the best books of the year by Birders World Magazine. I now have over twenty alphabet books. My goal has always been to write interesting, fact-filled, fun to read, beautifully illustrated color children's books. Thank you to all my illustrators: Ralph Masiello, Frank Mazzola, Jr., Rob Bolster, Edgar Stewart, Leslie
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
April 19, 2025
Yes, Jerry Pallotta’s The Icky Bug Counting Book is definitely fun, detailed and informative (both as a counting book and equally so as a basic introduction to bugs, to insects in general). But I do indeed have to point out that I personally happen to find the title of The Icky Bug Counting Book rather (no, actually quite majorly) misleading and hugely problematic (since in my not so humble opinion, none of the diverse bugs featured and presented by Pallotta in The Icky Bug Counting Book are what I would personally consider in any way "icky" and/or disgusting, and to thus be actively avoided and feared). And furthermore, that book title equally does manage to majorly rub me the wrong proverbial way, for truly, we should be teaching children that bugs and insects in general are an important part of the animal kingdom, of the cycle of life, of diverse ecosystems and not inherently "icky" and/or potentially horrible. Because and really, one of the main reasons why so many of us often desire and strive to squish and squash insects on sight is likely since we have simply been taught and tend to believe that all bugs, that all insects are by nature and necessity vile and yuck-inducing creatures (and well, a picture book titled The Icky Bug Counting Book for me certainly does not help regarding this).
And while the information, while the details presented by Jerry Pallotta in The Icky Bug Counting Book actually do NOT AT ALL show the latter (in fact, rather the opposite is the case, as the featured insects of The Icky Bug Counting Book are generally depicted in a more than balanced and positive manner by both Palotta's text and also by Ralph Masiello's accompanying artwork), for and to me, the book title does have the tendency to assume disgustingness, to assume that insects are by nature uncanny, strange and offence inducing (well, this at least has been my personal opinion regarding the title of The Icky Bug Counting Book and I still find this to be the case). So yes, this factoid, this sad truth, is very much frustrating and unfortunate, as it in my opinion undermines the many positives, or rather, it it has the potential to undermine the many positives that Jerry Pallotta and his The Icky Bug Counting Book attempt to present and teach (and that for children who already might have an aversion to insects, or even mild squeamishness, seeing a book title that supposedly and prominently features so-called icky, read loathsome, vile bugs, could perhaps prevent them from even wanting to consider The Icky Bug Counting Book and to thus miss out on a fun, educational and really in no way creepy and crawly reading and number/biology learning experience). Three stars for The Icky Bug Counting Book but upon reflection lowered to but two stars, as I have noticed that Jerry Pallotta’s presented text also features ants and does not really point out that ants are arachnids and thus of course NOT insects (and not to mention that The Icky Bug Counting Book also has not bibliography and no suggested titles for further reading either, and which I for one also find rather majorly frustrating and annoying).
And while the information, while the details presented by Jerry Pallotta in The Icky Bug Counting Book actually do NOT AT ALL show the latter (in fact, rather the opposite is the case, as the featured insects of The Icky Bug Counting Book are generally depicted in a more than balanced and positive manner by both Palotta's text and also by Ralph Masiello's accompanying artwork), for and to me, the book title does have the tendency to assume disgustingness, to assume that insects are by nature uncanny, strange and offence inducing (well, this at least has been my personal opinion regarding the title of The Icky Bug Counting Book and I still find this to be the case). So yes, this factoid, this sad truth, is very much frustrating and unfortunate, as it in my opinion undermines the many positives, or rather, it it has the potential to undermine the many positives that Jerry Pallotta and his The Icky Bug Counting Book attempt to present and teach (and that for children who already might have an aversion to insects, or even mild squeamishness, seeing a book title that supposedly and prominently features so-called icky, read loathsome, vile bugs, could perhaps prevent them from even wanting to consider The Icky Bug Counting Book and to thus miss out on a fun, educational and really in no way creepy and crawly reading and number/biology learning experience). Three stars for The Icky Bug Counting Book but upon reflection lowered to but two stars, as I have noticed that Jerry Pallotta’s presented text also features ants and does not really point out that ants are arachnids and thus of course NOT insects (and not to mention that The Icky Bug Counting Book also has not bibliography and no suggested titles for further reading either, and which I for one also find rather majorly frustrating and annoying).
July 20, 2013
I really enjoyed this one. Besides the great pictures and learning how to count up to 26, something I'm focusing on with my 3 yr old twins, you get to learn interesting things about the bugs you hate. So while my preschoolers were learning their numbers, my 5 yr old and I were learning new things about bugs - like how Kissing Bugs got their name. I also liked that not only did the book go up to the number 26 (my twins can already count to ten, we're learning bigger numbers now), it also had the words spelled out, which is good practice for my 5 yr old. Then surprise ending at the back of the book that tells you why they count up to 26 bugs. (I won't ruin the surprise for you) Which added another dimension of fun when we read through the book again. Overall a great learning tool, and something any kid who loves "icky" bugs can get into.
December 29, 2009
We liked this book enough to read it twice. It has lots of interesting information, fun pictures and both counting and alphabet fun. Our girls really liked the pictures and had fun learning about a few new insects.
August 16, 2022
I forgive the lack of backmatter and the point of view that some bugs are icky and some are 'mean.' The pictures are wonderful, the counting starts at zero and goes to 26, and there is a lot of information, some of which is new even to me. It probably doesn't work well as an ebook, but I hope interested children can find the paper copy in a library, as I did.
September 11, 2012
Jerry Pallotta's "The Icky Bug Counting Book" was a beautiful blend of learning and counting. Not only does he teach about numbers, Ralph Masiello's illustrations depict the number of bugs for each number (except for the invisible fleas on the dog). As a result, the reader is invited to participate in actively counting, as well as learning about numbers. Further, science, fun biology facts, and big vocabulary (such as "exoskeleton") are introduced throughout this book. I enjoyed it but was puzzled by the ending, which I thought was weird. Every page is consumed with numbers, number education/application, and fun facts. However, the final page attempts a play on words to make the reader think and apply what he/she has learned. In theory, it is a neat ending; in reality, it is way to confusing for the intended audience.
June 18, 2009
I like that this book starts with zero. I also like that this book encourages counting. It also has a fun surprise the end.
October 5, 2017
Title (italicize):The Icky Bug Counting Book
Author:Jerry Pallotta
Illustrator:Ralph Masciello
Genre:Counting Book
Theme(s):123; ABC Book
Opening line/sentence:�0 Zero Most counting books start with the number one. This book starts with none! Zero! Zero is a number. There are zero bugs on this page.�
Brief Book Summary: The book goes through numbers all the way to 26, representing the 26 letters of the alphabet. If the reader reads the book from back to front, this book becomes an ABC Book, not just a counting book. Each page represents a number, with a rhyming phrase and hidden bugs of that number. Each rhyming phrase teaches the reader about the bug featured on that page.
Professional Recommendation/Review #1:
Dr. Linda Hummel Fitzharris (Science Book and Films)
“The Icky Bug Counting Bookis a refreshing change from many of thebooks designed for young children. The content is challenging and relates to the world surrounding the child. Quickly, the young learner is exposed to the yellowjacket fly and the paper wasp.�
Professional Recommendation/Review #2:
Jennifer Frenchi (Kindergarten Teacher)
Email Interview
“This book is a great read-a-loud for students. I use this to teach science activities and create lessons from it. The words used in the book are challenging, so the children are always asking questions about what they mean.�
Response to Two Professional Reviews:
Both of the reviews mention the difficult language for children in the books, which I noticed as well. Frenchi’s review explains how she uses it for different content areas other than numbers, which I did not think of doing. The bright colors and different style in which this book is written makes it a favorite among children, or so it seems from the reviews.
Evaluation of Literary Elements:
The illustrations are realistic looking, but all of the bugs are hidden in the pictures. The hidden bugs prove fun for students, as they can search for them all, but I fear that may take away from the message of each page. There is a lot going on in each page, making the children want to pay close attention.
Consideration of Instructional Application (3-4 sentences in your own words):
I could use this book as not only a counting book, but I could use it as a research project. I could break the children up in to groups and give them a number and whatever number I give them, the bug represented on that page is the bug they have to research. I could teach research skills, computer skills, and foster creativity through this activity. This book is truly versatile, being able to be used for many subjects other than just counting.
Author:Jerry Pallotta
Illustrator:Ralph Masciello
Genre:Counting Book
Theme(s):123; ABC Book
Opening line/sentence:�0 Zero Most counting books start with the number one. This book starts with none! Zero! Zero is a number. There are zero bugs on this page.�
Brief Book Summary: The book goes through numbers all the way to 26, representing the 26 letters of the alphabet. If the reader reads the book from back to front, this book becomes an ABC Book, not just a counting book. Each page represents a number, with a rhyming phrase and hidden bugs of that number. Each rhyming phrase teaches the reader about the bug featured on that page.
Professional Recommendation/Review #1:
Dr. Linda Hummel Fitzharris (Science Book and Films)
“The Icky Bug Counting Bookis a refreshing change from many of thebooks designed for young children. The content is challenging and relates to the world surrounding the child. Quickly, the young learner is exposed to the yellowjacket fly and the paper wasp.�
Professional Recommendation/Review #2:
Jennifer Frenchi (Kindergarten Teacher)
Email Interview
“This book is a great read-a-loud for students. I use this to teach science activities and create lessons from it. The words used in the book are challenging, so the children are always asking questions about what they mean.�
Response to Two Professional Reviews:
Both of the reviews mention the difficult language for children in the books, which I noticed as well. Frenchi’s review explains how she uses it for different content areas other than numbers, which I did not think of doing. The bright colors and different style in which this book is written makes it a favorite among children, or so it seems from the reviews.
Evaluation of Literary Elements:
The illustrations are realistic looking, but all of the bugs are hidden in the pictures. The hidden bugs prove fun for students, as they can search for them all, but I fear that may take away from the message of each page. There is a lot going on in each page, making the children want to pay close attention.
Consideration of Instructional Application (3-4 sentences in your own words):
I could use this book as not only a counting book, but I could use it as a research project. I could break the children up in to groups and give them a number and whatever number I give them, the bug represented on that page is the bug they have to research. I could teach research skills, computer skills, and foster creativity through this activity. This book is truly versatile, being able to be used for many subjects other than just counting.
February 17, 2020
(1992) You've got to love a counting book that starts with zero--a number most authors overlook--and counts through 26. Why 26? You may not realize until you get to the end that there has been one bug for every letter of the alphabet, in reverse order from Zebra Swallowtail Butterfly to Army Ants. The text is engagingly informative, with facts such as wasps were making paper from chewed-up wood thousands of years before people figured out how to do it, and pillbugs are crustaceans, like lobsters and crabs.
Ralph Masiello's illustrations are painted in a simple, realistic style that is appropriate to the informative nature of this fact-filled book.
Suitable for reading aloud to younger children, target audience PK-3rd grade.
Ralph Masiello's illustrations are painted in a simple, realistic style that is appropriate to the informative nature of this fact-filled book.
Suitable for reading aloud to younger children, target audience PK-3rd grade.
February 6, 2017
The Icky Bug Counting Book starts at 0 and counts various bugs on each page, up to the number 26. At the end, you discover that there are 26 different bugs because there are 26 letters of the alphabet, and each bug starts with a different letter! So in essence, you’re learning both the alphabet and numbers! I was actually pretty fascinated by this. I know, I’m literally a child.
Pallotta is not only teaching kids to count and read, but he’s also teaching them about various insects. His facts are pretty interesting, many of which I didn’t even know, so I’m sure it’s fun for the parent to read too. I learned about all kinds of bugs, from Yellowjacket Flies to Click Beetles. I especially loved Pallotta’s comments on the bugs, and I have a feeling children love them too. For instance, when talking about the Zebra Swallowtail Butterfly, Pallotta mentions that butterflies taste with their feet. He then remarks, “Can you imagine if people tasted their ice cream cones with their feet?� I love it. And I love his sarcasm: “Why are [Question Mark Butterflies] called Question Marks? That’s a good question!�
Ah, and let’s not forget Ralph Masiello, the wonderful illustrator of this counting book. The illustrations are great � super colorful and vivid with a lot of detail concerning each bug. They look incredibly realistic! I love this book entirely too much! It’s literally just a counting book for children and I already want to read it again. I am ridiculous. I kind of want to read Pallotta’s alphabet book� Guilty pleasure! If you have kids that are learning to read and to count, this is a great one. Take it from me, an unmarried woman without any children to read to.
Pallotta is not only teaching kids to count and read, but he’s also teaching them about various insects. His facts are pretty interesting, many of which I didn’t even know, so I’m sure it’s fun for the parent to read too. I learned about all kinds of bugs, from Yellowjacket Flies to Click Beetles. I especially loved Pallotta’s comments on the bugs, and I have a feeling children love them too. For instance, when talking about the Zebra Swallowtail Butterfly, Pallotta mentions that butterflies taste with their feet. He then remarks, “Can you imagine if people tasted their ice cream cones with their feet?� I love it. And I love his sarcasm: “Why are [Question Mark Butterflies] called Question Marks? That’s a good question!�
Ah, and let’s not forget Ralph Masiello, the wonderful illustrator of this counting book. The illustrations are great � super colorful and vivid with a lot of detail concerning each bug. They look incredibly realistic! I love this book entirely too much! It’s literally just a counting book for children and I already want to read it again. I am ridiculous. I kind of want to read Pallotta’s alphabet book� Guilty pleasure! If you have kids that are learning to read and to count, this is a great one. Take it from me, an unmarried woman without any children to read to.
September 15, 2017
I enjoy these Icky Bug books, and the kids do, too. This one has an interesting twist/puzzle to solve at the end, which is nice. My son has had this book since infancy and we've tried to read it a few times, but he always needed a modified version to sit through it (just counting, or counting with just a few details from the text, etc.) Now at 5 1/2 he's ready to sit through the whole thing and eats up all the bug facts. My 2-year-old sat through the whole thing willingly and attentively as well, but probably only because her big brother was there providing an example. This is definitely better for the 4-6 age range.
February 9, 2019
I picked this book up at a second hand store on a whim. It was soooooo delightful. Starting with Zero was genius! I learned so much about bugs. Yet the whole thing was appropriate for a young child. Genius! And the fact that if you read it backwards the bugs are in alphabetical order!
June 12, 2019
This counting book from zero to twenty-six not only teaches how to count, but provides excellent factual information on insects, and bugs as well. The reader gets more bang for the buck as nature is revealed.
November 9, 2017
My 2nd graders loved it.
December 8, 2021
Interesting book that gives both facts about bugs while helps with counting.
Read
July 22, 2022Clever, but...it's about bugs.
October 7, 2013
I selected this book as a counting book. This particular book, written by Jerry Pallott, was referenced in the textbook, The Joy of Children’s Literature by Denise Johnson (2011), in Chapter 10 page 271. I was captivated by the title and illustrations presented on the front cover. The front cover is calming not complementing to the title, “The Icky Big Counting Book�. This intrigued me to explore more of the book, and the story to be shared.
This book is a paperback book. The front cover is delightful displaying leaves of a plant that are covered by several different insects. The background is a lighter shade of purple with the title written in dark purple. The author and illustrator’s names are on the bottom left side written in white. I found the cover to appealing and so did my young children. The back cover is a continuation of the front with plants leaves and a few insects. I was fascinated with the bright illustrations throughout the book. As you journey through numbers starting at one, the reader is taken on an excursion with various insects that correlate with a given number. For example, the number three is shared using the written form of the number and three elegant crab spiders.
I found this book entertaining and amusing. The bright colors are attractive, drawling the reader in to the book to explore. I enjoyed the detail presented with each illustration. I also liked how they author connected real life objects, insects, into a book about a real life concept, numbers.
This book is a counting book so it could easily be used to help young children begin an introduction to numbers. A teacher could use this book as a math lesson by providing students with a handful of insects and instructing them to create math problems. The students could then solve their math problems as practice. This could be done independently or in a group.
This book is a paperback book. The front cover is delightful displaying leaves of a plant that are covered by several different insects. The background is a lighter shade of purple with the title written in dark purple. The author and illustrator’s names are on the bottom left side written in white. I found the cover to appealing and so did my young children. The back cover is a continuation of the front with plants leaves and a few insects. I was fascinated with the bright illustrations throughout the book. As you journey through numbers starting at one, the reader is taken on an excursion with various insects that correlate with a given number. For example, the number three is shared using the written form of the number and three elegant crab spiders.
I found this book entertaining and amusing. The bright colors are attractive, drawling the reader in to the book to explore. I enjoyed the detail presented with each illustration. I also liked how they author connected real life objects, insects, into a book about a real life concept, numbers.
This book is a counting book so it could easily be used to help young children begin an introduction to numbers. A teacher could use this book as a math lesson by providing students with a handful of insects and instructing them to create math problems. The students could then solve their math problems as practice. This could be done independently or in a group.
May 2, 2019
Genre: Alphabet or Counting Picture Book
Awards: N/A
Audience: Kindergarten-1st Grade
A) This book fits into this category because it counts up to the number twenty-six and it includes the alphabet subtly. Each page has a set number of bugs on that page for the child to count, and the names of the bugs are in alphabetical order backwards. So number twenty-six has a bug with a name that starts with "a".
B) Color was one of the prominent visual elements in this book. The background colors on each page were energetic and pretty, going into an ombre form. The colors of the plants and bugs were more muted and less loud. The colors contributed to the story by using more muted colors for the bugs so that the reader would have to really pay attention to them in order to count them all.
C) I would use this book as a read aloud due to the difficult words and names of bugs on each page. I would use it to integrate into science as well.
D) What number did this book start with? Zero (0)
Awards: N/A
Audience: Kindergarten-1st Grade
A) This book fits into this category because it counts up to the number twenty-six and it includes the alphabet subtly. Each page has a set number of bugs on that page for the child to count, and the names of the bugs are in alphabetical order backwards. So number twenty-six has a bug with a name that starts with "a".
B) Color was one of the prominent visual elements in this book. The background colors on each page were energetic and pretty, going into an ombre form. The colors of the plants and bugs were more muted and less loud. The colors contributed to the story by using more muted colors for the bugs so that the reader would have to really pay attention to them in order to count them all.
C) I would use this book as a read aloud due to the difficult words and names of bugs on each page. I would use it to integrate into science as well.
D) What number did this book start with? Zero (0)
November 25, 2013
This is a wonderful book that you could read to younger students. It goes through counting the numbers starting from zero all the way to twenty-six. On each page it describes a different icky bug and gives a few interesting facts about it. Each page also has the correct number of bugs representing the number on the page. On each page you’ll also see how it shows the number in big bold print, and also has the word for the number written out in bold below it. That way the students can learn the numbers in their written form as well. In the back of the book there is also a little riddle that you can read to the students to have them figure out in order to test their reading comprehension. It asks why the book was numbered starting from zero all the way to twenty-six. The reason is because the book names one icky bug for every letter of the alphabet backwards.
This book would be great to teach students interesting facts about many different kinds of bugs. Since this book goes through describing facts about twenty-six different bugs you could incorporate it into a science lesson. It would also be great for beginning to teach students how to count the first twenty-six numbers.
The medium that is used to illustrate this book is paint. The illustrations in this book are wonderful because they are very clear and simple, yet at the same time very colorful, big, and accurately depict the appearance of the different kinds of bugs. In my opinion the illustrations are truly brought to life with the way they are beautifully created.
This book would be great to teach students interesting facts about many different kinds of bugs. Since this book goes through describing facts about twenty-six different bugs you could incorporate it into a science lesson. It would also be great for beginning to teach students how to count the first twenty-six numbers.
The medium that is used to illustrate this book is paint. The illustrations in this book are wonderful because they are very clear and simple, yet at the same time very colorful, big, and accurately depict the appearance of the different kinds of bugs. In my opinion the illustrations are truly brought to life with the way they are beautifully created.
April 17, 2008
Each page of this book tells you what bug you see, how many bugs you are seeing, and gives you an interesting fact about that bug. The book counts up to 26 - one bug name for every letter of the alphabet, but they appear backwards...I didnt even notice, but on the very last page the author clues you in on a couple of secrets.
March 15, 2011
Interest Level: K-3
Reading Level: 4.8
Subjects:
Counting.
Insects.
Illustrator: Masiello, Ralph
Notes: Cover title.;On board pages. Each page presents a number from 1 to 26 and the corresponding number of a particular kind of insect, including cicadas, Longhorn beetles, and weevils among others.
Reading Level: 4.8
Subjects:
Counting.
Insects.
Illustrator: Masiello, Ralph
Notes: Cover title.;On board pages. Each page presents a number from 1 to 26 and the corresponding number of a particular kind of insect, including cicadas, Longhorn beetles, and weevils among others.
April 26, 2011
An interesting twist on the regular counting book. Each bug in the book is very realistic looking, including the scenery where the bug lives. Each comes with a fact about the bug. When you get to the end of the book thinking you are done there is a little twist that will make you have to go back and look a little more.
March 9, 2013
Counting range: 1-26
*Count by twos- explain even & odd numbers
Illustrations correlate with the number presented.
Transition to science by discussing fun biology facts through the text.
New vocab: exoskeleton
* Great for small group/ centers
Have a center where there plastic bugs to be used as a manipulative
*Count by twos- explain even & odd numbers
Illustrations correlate with the number presented.
Transition to science by discussing fun biology facts through the text.
New vocab: exoskeleton
* Great for small group/ centers
Have a center where there plastic bugs to be used as a manipulative
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December 11, 2013Teaches the students numbers 1-26 which is very odd for a counting book to stop at a random number. However, it ties in the alphabet as well to add an additional element to the book. It is also diverse in the information it shares about bugs.
This book is extremely applicable to many domains (math, science and literature) via counting, bugs and the alphabet.
This book is extremely applicable to many domains (math, science and literature) via counting, bugs and the alphabet.
April 9, 2013
An interesting book about counting icky bugs. The book can be used to introduce early readers to reading and counting. The interesting thing about this book is that the book ends at the number 26, not 10 or 30.
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April 9, 2014The Icky Counting Book is a counting book that I would use in the younger grades. For each number up to tent-six there is a fact about an icky bug. The author uses adjectives to describe the bugs. In the younger grades, I would use this as a model of how to use adjectives in a mini- lesson.
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November 20, 2008Counting Week
December 6, 2008
We like these fun alphabet books for young children (my older ones liked them too) that introduce you to all different creatures. Perfect living books for science.
September 24, 2009
This was one of my kids' favorite books when they were first learning their numbers.
I've also successfully used it in teaching math to Resource/Special Ed kids.
I've also successfully used it in teaching math to Resource/Special Ed kids.
February 5, 2015
Cool bug facts in a counting book (that's also in reverse alphabetical order). My son loved it.
February 12, 2013
Counting (1-26)
Bugs/ nature
Not a good read aloud, better for small group
Bugs/ nature
Not a good read aloud, better for small group
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