Starters: Mini Beasts
Starters Series
on Goodreads (2)
What’s inside...
This book introduces young children to the fascinating world of minibeasts found in a common garden, including spiders, butterflies, and snails, and explores the process of metamorphosis. The nearly square format makes it easy for children to handle, and it features bright color photographs, a contents page, a combined glossary and index, and captions to aid in understanding non-fiction organizational features. It is vetted by literacy and science consultants. The book also engages new readers' curiosity about various topics like the composition of the moon, reasons for losing teeth, and chocolate production, all made accessible through colorful photos and an illustrated glossary. In this innovative series, the reader joins Ellie on a minibeast hunt and discovers all about the habitats and life cycles of ladybirds, butterflies, dragonflies, spiders, and snails.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
4-7
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What similarities and differences did you notice between the mini beasts mentioned in the book and insects we see around our home?
Which mini beast was your favorite and why?
How do you think life would be if you were one of the mini beasts for a day?
What new things did you learn about mini beasts from this book?
If you could ask any mini beast a question, what would you ask?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use the illustrations in the book to help your child better understand the size, shape, and colors of different mini beasts.
Encourage your child to relate the mini beasts to their own experiences, perhaps recalling a time they encountered a similar insect.
After reading, spend some time outdoors to observe if you can spot any similar mini beasts around your home or in the park.
Supplement the discussion with a fun activity like drawing their favorite mini beast or creating mini beast crafts to deepen their connection with the book’s content.
Ask your child to imagine and describe a day in the life of their favorite mini beast, fostering creativity and empathy towards small creatures.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Importance of biodiversity
Explanation: Through vivid descriptions and imagery of various mini beasts, the book educates children about the different roles insects play in our ecosystem.
Real-World Application: Children learn to appreciate and protect different insects they come across in gardens or parks, understanding their importance for a healthy environment.
Example Lesson: Observation skills
Explanation: As the narrative explores the characteristics and habits of mini beasts, it encourages children to pay close attention to details.
Real-World Application: Kids can practice these observation skills in real life by exploring and noticing details about the insects they find during outdoor activities.
Example Lesson: Respect for all creatures
Explanation: The story promotes empathy and respect for even the smallest creatures, emphasizing their significance and right to exist.
Real-World Application: This message helps children cultivate a sense of respect for all living beings, influencing how they interact with animals and insects in their daily environment.
Example Lesson: Scientific curiosity
Explanation: ‘Starters: Mini Beasts’ introduces basic biological concepts about insects which can spark questions and curiosity about science.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to explore more about biology and insects in books, online platforms, or educational programs, fostering a lifelong love for science.