Bugged!

Knudsen, Michelle. Blanche Sims, illus. Bugged!. Kane Press: 2008. “Science Solves It” early reader series, $5.95. ISBN-13 978-1-57565-259-7.

Targeted at a grade 1 – 3 interest level, with the large type and high-frequency vocabulary of early readers, Bugged! offers more than enjoyable easy reading with life science content about mosquitoes. As a sample of the “Science Solves It” series by Kane Press, Bugged! offers enough to interest me in the entire line of “fun stories with a curriculum connection” from this innovative publisher.

From a reading perspective, Bugged! provides a good mix of high-frequency sight words and multi-syllabic vocabulary words to offer young readers both success and surmountable challenges within the story text. Sidebars address content knowledge and vocabulary in reader-friendly bites that complement the story. Colorful illustrations depict multi-ethnic characters and inviting scenes that add depth and humor.

The science skills of observation, questioning, inference, prediction, experimentation, comparison, and communication are incorporated as students strive to solve the central problem of how to help Riley escape his plague of mosquitoes. The characters conduct research by using the Internet at home, consulting books in a well-populated library, and visiting an actual science professor in his college setting. Content information appears in the main text, the sidebars, the illustrations, and is reinforced by the “Think Like A Scientist” activity page following the story.

The publisher’s forward informs adults that Kane Press “Science Solves It!” titles have been reviewed by respected scientists and teachers during development to ensure accuracy and alignment with current content curriculum frameworks. This careful development pays off handsomely in an attractive, humorous story that children will be eager to read, explore, and revisit repeatedly. Titles address physical science, earth science, and life science topics. Some titles are also available in Spanish.

Thank you, Kane Press, for making learning fun and rewarding! Young readers will enjoy emulating the skills modeled by the characters as they solve their own scientific mysteries. Me? I’m off to break my piggybank so I can enjoy more of these delightful stories and explore the math, reading, and social studies nonfiction series titles, too.

The Picnic Basket rating: 5

Cynthia Winfield
educator & author