Humans often think of insects and other invertebrates as gross or creepy, but we couldn't survive without them. In this love letter to bugs, biologist, linguist, and bug enthusiast Karyn Light-Gibson introduces us to an array of our notable neighbors, from bees to bedbugs, caterpillars to butterflies, earwigs to isopods, ants to mantises, ladybugs to katydids, and so, so many more. With informative glee and striking illustrations, she identifies the many bugs we encounter every day and delves into their place in science, history, art, literature, culture, cuisine, and even warfare. For every human, there are 1.4 billion insects in the world, playing a vital part of our ecosystem. A small percentage of bugs can be dangerous or spread disease, but the vast majority are our allies as indicators of environmental health, pollinators of our food, and a key part of the food web we rely on. Even the most wary readers will come away with a new perspective on the tiny creatures around them and a serious appreciation of just how important-and cool-bugs are.

Get acquainted with the little creepy crawlies who make our world go 'round in this enthusiastic and informative love letter to the beauty of bugs. Did you know that for every human on Earth, there are 1.4 billion insects? While humans around the globe treat bugs like pests or threats, we would be lost without them! Bugs support the food chain, pollinate the plants we eat, and decompose the stuff we don't want-and have been key players in countless key and kooky episodes of human history. Whether you're a curious bug hater, a passionate bug lover, or somewhere in between, these pages invite you on a journey through the wide world of bugs, and their remarkable influence on humans throughout history. Full of fascinating facts and tons of research made readable, this surprisingly poignant book will show you why humans need bugs, how they have shaped our culture, and how we can help them survive.

Humans often think of insects and other invertebrates as gross or creepy, but we couldn't survive without them. In this love letter to bugs, biologist, linguist, and bug enthusiast Karyn Light-Gibson introduces us to an array of our notable neighbors, from bees to bedbugs, caterpillars to butterflies, earwigs to isopods, ants to mantises, ladybugs to katydids, and so, so many more. With informative glee and striking illustrations, she identifies the many bugs we encounter every day and delves into their place in science, history, art, literature, culture, cuisine, and even warfare. For every human, there are 1.4 billion insects in the world, playing a vital part of our ecosystem. A small percentage of bugs can be dangerous or spread disease, but the vast majority are our allies as indicators of environmental health, pollinators of our food, and a key part of the food web we rely on. Even the most wary readers will come away with a new perspective on the tiny creatures around them and a serious appreciation of just how important-and cool-bugs are.

Get acquainted with the little creepy crawlies who make our world go 'round in this enthusiastic and informative love letter to the beauty of bugs. Did you know that for every human on Earth, there are 1.4 billion insects? While humans around the globe treat bugs like pests or threats, we would be lost without them! Bugs support the food chain, pollinate the plants we eat, and decompose the stuff we don't want-and have been key players in countless key and kooky episodes of human history. Whether you're a curious bug hater, a passionate bug lover, or somewhere in between, these pages invite you on a journey through the wide world of bugs, and their remarkable influence on humans throughout history. Full of fascinating facts and tons of research made readable, this surprisingly poignant book will show you why humans need bugs, how they have shaped our culture, and how we can help them survive.