Nic Bishop is quickly becoming a household name in the world of children’s lit. A bio:
- Photographer
- Author
- PHD-level biologist
- Sibert Honor recipient
- New Zeelander
- Current Michigan resident
I’m especially pleased with that last one. Bishop is a master of visually mesmerizing, factually outstanding nonfiction for children. The man is dedicated (more on that later), the man is knowledgeable, the man has a new book on the shelves titled Butterflies and Moths. If you don’t already own a copy, be sure to add it to your wanted list.
If you’ve read Bishop’s previous work (Frogs, Spiders) then you’re familiar with the style on display here. The text, written in basic terms, describes the characteristics, habitat, diet, and life cycle of his subjects. The uniqueness of butterflies and moths is emphasized, with pages devoted to metamorphosis and the species’ use of camouflage.
Not surprisingly, the headliner here are the visuals. The photographs, highly-detailed and close up, give the reader a vibrant and intimate perspective. Bishop also presents the caterpillars that will eventually become these winged insects. Time-lapse and image-combining techniques are also utilized with successful results, showing flight and the transformation to pupa in step-by-step detail.
Bishop is nothing if not dedicated. One shot in the book, showing a rare caterpillar that puffs up its body to look like a snake, is an example of this. As described in the afterword, Bishop waited years for the opportunity to photograph this extraordinary creature, flying to Costa Rica at the drop of a hat when he received word of its whereabouts. That’s commitment, y’all.
Butterflies and Moths will surprise, amaze, and inform young readers of all shapes and sizes. Be sure to add this highly recommended title to your collection.
Check out the Nonfiction Monday roundup at ACPL Mock Sibert blog.
Also reviewed by Kids Lit, I.N.K.
Find this book at your local library with WorldCat.
100 Scope Notes 
13 comments
Comments feed for this article
May 18, 2009 at 7:03 am
Lynn Rutan
You are so right about this fabulous book! I just got to read it last week and it is just as stunningly gorgeous as the other two. I always learn a lot from reading them and the photographs are so beautiful that I wish I could frame them and hang them where I could see them every day. More importantly – this is a hit with kids too ;-)
I’m forming a Nic Bishop fan club ;-)
May 18, 2009 at 11:31 am
Scope Notes
I’m joining that club.
May 18, 2009 at 10:13 am
Mary Ann
I’ve loved Nic Bishop’s other books. They are so visually stunning! I’m pulling together resources for a group of 4 & 5 year olds looking at butterflies (preschoolers). Do you think I should include this?
I haven’t seen it, but I’m guessing the text might be beyond them but they might be fascinated with the pictures. Thanks for your suggestions!
May 18, 2009 at 11:30 am
Scope Notes
The text would be too difficult for that age level. But even strictly as a visual resource, you really can’t do much better.
May 18, 2009 at 4:20 pm
Inquirer
We have “anything by Nic Bishop” on our summer reading list. So far our favorite is Frogs which was also selected as a Texas Bluebonnet award nominee.
http://alwayschasingboys.blogspot.com/2009/05/summer-reading-lists.html
May 18, 2009 at 9:19 pm
Scope Notes
This is one case where a broad generalization is warranted – “anything by Nic Bishop”? Well done. Also, good to hear that the fine folks in Texas are on the Bishop bandwagon.
May 18, 2009 at 7:45 pm
PhantomMidge
I love his books! And I did not know that he lives in Michigan….hmm, that’s not too far away…I wonder if I can get him to come to our library…
May 18, 2009 at 9:16 pm
Scope Notes
Wait, where are you located?
May 18, 2009 at 10:28 pm
Jennifer
I’ve actually used Nic Bishop’s books with preschoolers through 2nd grade quite successfully at the library and my colleague has used them with even younger children. If you look at Frogs, Spiders, and Moths and Butterflies, you will note that there is a line or two of larger text against the main text. Use this as the main text when reading aloud for a group of younger kids. It’s very successful, especially with Frogs. You can add in more of the text depending on your audience’s attention span. Of course, you will need to know the books well in order to choose which parts to read!
May 19, 2009 at 6:15 am
Scope Notes
Good suggestion Jennifer, and you’re right – there are parts of the text that could be read to that age group that they would understand. Like you say, the reader will just have to pick and choose.
May 19, 2009 at 12:35 am
violet
Sounds like the book would be worth owning for the photo of the snake-caterpillar alone. Thanks for the informative review!
May 19, 2009 at 6:17 am
Scope Notes
It’s really pretty amazing – the caterpillar that puffs up like a snake is something that I had no idea existed, making it that much more of a surprise.
July 14, 2009 at 1:07 am
ALA Annual 2009: A Day in the Life (Part I) « 100 Scope Notes
[…] – Walk past Nic Bishop stolling the floor. It’s very satisfying when you see someone you think you recognize […]