The varied career paths entomologists may follow include university professor, forensic entomologist, and Hollywood “bug director.” A lively tone and light touch prevail in this high-interest look at insects and those who study them. Purdue University Professor Tom Turpin’s popularity as a teacher may be explained by his approach to his subject: “’People learn more when they’re having fun.’” To achieve that, he urges his students to sample fried mealworms and cookies made with dry-roasted crickets. In a more grisly mode, a forensic entomologist describes how she helps solve crimes by examining blow flies found on corpses to determine time of death. An inviting design and captivating material work together to help the author reach her goal of “taking the 'ug’ out of bug.” (Ages 8-11)

Small is beautiful--or so the bug scientists of the world believe. Insects, they say, boast qualities the rest of us have perhaps overlooked. They are among the earth's best fliers and farmers. They have survived and adapted for 350 million years, whereas we humans have been around for a mere 10,000 years. There are millions upon millions of species yet to be identified. Indeed, insects are perhaps nature's least celebrated but most successful creatures on earth.
By following the footsteps of several bug scientists, we take a closer look at the extraordinary bugs that crawl, swim, and whiz past us. We visit the morgue, drop by an outdoor classroom, witness a bug bowl festival--complete with a cricket-spitting contest (yuck!)--and travel to the rain forests of Costa Rica--all in pursuit of a better understanding of bugs, glorious bugs.