Don’t Squish a Slug: A Wonderful Celebration of Marvellous Minibeasts

About this book

Have you heard about the tongue-eating louse? Or the volcano snail? Do you know why the assassin bug is so named? Dive into a fascinating – and sometimes gory! - world of minibeasts. 

This large-format book is a treasure trove of information about bugs or, rather, invertebrates. It’s divided into five themed sections – on camouflage, defence mechanisms, record-breaking achievements, amazing ways minibeasts have evolved, and relationships (which are often parasitic).

Each different bug has its own page, with a fantastically detailed illustration of it in its habitat, along with lots of information about it, presented in small bite-size paragraphs.  

Yussef Rafik is a zoologist and CBBC presenter, and his enthusiasm and knowledge make for a very interesting read. He doesn't sensationalise or soften any details, but the content is appropriately pitched for readers of about 7 and upwards.

He is also appropriately appreciative of the variety, ingenuity and efficiency of all invertebrates – meaning the reader will be too. Riley Samels’ colourful illustrations are detailed yet friendly, and complement the text perfectly. A great book for a school library, or a gift.