If you have been wanting to start teaching kids about insects or to just look at them for the fun of it, then this is the post for you! Studying and learning about the life of insects is fascinating!
I always recommend starting any studies with books, so you can get a handful of elementary through preschool books about insects in general or for specific insects. I love to get some books for bugs in general and also have some books on particular bugs.
In this post, we have several lists of books about bugs and insects for preschoolers and older kids that focus on all insects and also on lone insects, including butterflies, bees, ants, praying mantises, ladybugs and more!
Take a look at our super complete list of the most amazing insect books for kids to read, love and learn with! Additionally, I’m including ideas, resources and printables to help you if you were looking to make it a unit.
Visit our caterpillar and butterfly hub HERE! We have dozens and dozens of awesome printables, activities and ideas that your kids will love! And don’t forget to see our book list hub!
It is full of lists of books on all kinds of topics on all subjects! You will love it and find it very helpful!

Amazing Insect Books for Kids
I always love a good book list on any topic. It helps me gather my thoughts and guide our studies in our homeschool. In this case, we are talking about insects, or bugs.
Books are perfect avenues to help us study more about the characteristics of insects, an insect that migrates in winter and so much more! You can find many of these books at great prices using a book depository discount code.
Here are several lists. I broke them down by insects in general and for several lone insect book lists. I hope that makes it easier for you to find exactly what you are looking for and that you will put together a great unit!
Insect Books for Preschoolers & Older Kids
Below are some of our favorite books about insects for preschoolers, kindergarteners and lower elementary kids. I looked for more non-fiction bug books for preschoolers and older kids because we are talking about educational ideas.
Of course, there are many bug books with cute stories. You can find some fiction books here, too.
The Most Complete Bug Reference EverUltimate Explorer Field Guide
First Big Book of Bugs
Everything Insects
What Kids Really Want to Know about Bugs
Big Book of Bugs
An Identification Guide to Common Insects
The Biggest, Fastest, Deadliest Creepy-Crawlers
All About Insects
Bugs, Spiders and Insects!
Bugs Facts at Your Fingertips
Bugs A to Z
Insect Activities for Kids (Crafts & Printables)
Examining the Characteristics and Life Cycles of Insects (and Spiders)
Butterfly & Moth ~ Insect Books for Preschool & Older
If you want to focus on one picture book, then you will definitely love showing the beautiful visuals of butterfly books.
The life cycles of insects are pretty awesome, but the life cycle of the butterfly takes the cake! Here are some great books and resources on butterflies and moths.
National Geographic Readers: Caterpillar to ButterflyExplore My World Butterflies
Handbooks: Butterflies & Moths: The Clearest Recognition Guide Available
Caterpillar to Butterfly (Science for Toddlers)
DK Readers L1: Born to Be a Butterfly
Caterpillars, Bugs and Butterflies: Take-Along Guide
Blue Morpho Butterfly Plush Costume Wings By Adventure KidsInsect Lore Butterfly Growing Kit – With Voucher to Redeem
Butterflies Tube Playset – 24 Piece
Free printable butterfly books & resources
Butterfly Life Cycle for Kids (Free Printables)
Butterfly life cycle mini book ~ free
Moth & Butterfly Life Cycle Book List & Resources that Will Blow your Mind
The Best Moth and Butterfly Life Cycle Printables in the World
12 of the Greatest Life Cycle of a Butterfly Printables
Butterfly Life Cycle for Kids ~ List of Printable Activities & Ideas
3 Butterfly Life Cycle Crafts & Resources
Bees ~ Books about Bugs for Preschoolers & Up
There is a list of ant and bee books for sale, but here are the best one we’ve seen!
They will give you great ideas for bee insect activities for kids!
Explore My World: Honey Bees A Peek-Through Picture Book
Turn This Book Into a Beehive! And 19 Other Experiments
Amazing Bees: Buzzing with Bee Facts!
A bee’s life
The Honeybee Man
PlanToys Plan Preschool Bee Hive PreschoolA-Parts The Bee DIY 3D Cut Model Kit- Wooden Puzzle
Honey Bee Tree Game
Insect books for Preschoolers that teach about maps, colors and sight words (Printables)
Ladybugs ~ Insects Books for Preschoolers through Elementary
Ladybugs are also called love bugs. Isn’t that adorable?
Take a look at the book list and the ladybug crafts ideas below!
Are You A Ladybug? Ladybugs
It’s a Good Thing There Are Ladybugs
Lady Bug Life Cycle
An Amazing Animal Picture Book about Ladybug
A Kids Picture Book About Ladybugs
Ladybug Life CycleLady Bug Wings & Antenna Costume Set
Original Ladybug Land with Voucher
Insect Printable Bundles!
Lovely Praying Mantis Books for Kids
We had a lot of fun last week reading fun facts about the praying mantis.
If you are looking for interesting (and kind of weird) insects characteristics, then you will want to look at these books!
Sneaker The Praying MantisPraying Mantis!
Praying Mantis
Hungry Insect Heroes
A Pet Owner’s Guide
Little Ant and the Mantis
Praying Mantis Toy FigurePraying Mantis Rustic Blue T-Shirt
Praying Mantis Goggles
Examining the Characteristics and Life Cycles of Insects (and Spiders)
Ants ~ Elementary through preschool insect books
Is the ant your kid’s favorite bug? My kid loves teaching about insects to preschoolers, especially ants.
He loves to point out that there are some that have wings, some that bite and some that work super hard all of their lives.
Read more here:
National Geographic Readers: AntsAnts: Amazing Pictures & Fun Facts on Animals in Nature
The Life and Times of the Ant
All About Ants
Ants: Amazing Facts & Pictures for Children
Ants: Amazing Photos & Fun Facts Book About Ants
Ant Toy Small BugAnt Colony Co-Operative Children’s Board Game
Giant Ant Farm Kit
Insect books for Preschoolers that teach about maps, colors and sight words (Printables)
Eric Carle Insect Books
Have you read the book hungry caterpillar by Eric Carle?
He’s written a series of cute and fun children’s books focusing on insects.
There are characters like the lonely firefly and a grouchy ladybug.
Eric Carle insects books are lovely and I highly recommend them!
These insect books for toddlers are perfect! Be sure to get them in the board books version because they are more durable.
The Very Hungry CaterpillarThe Grouchy Ladybug
The Eric Carle Mini Library: A Storybook Gift Set (The
The Very Lonely Firefly board book
The Very Quiet Cricket Board Book
Kaplan Early Learning Company Eric Carle Board Books – Set
Mudpuppy Friends of The Very Hungry Caterpillar Magnetic Characters fromWorld of Eric Carle, The Very Hungry Caterpillar Nesting and
World of Eric Carle, The Very Hungry Caterpillar Plush
The very hungry caterpillar butterfly coloring page
The Very Hungry Caterpillar & Other Butterfly Life Cycle Posts
The Most Fun Bingo Game Hungry Caterpillar Printables in the World
The Hungry Caterpillar Bundle inspired by Eric Carle
Thank you for reading our list on insect kids books!
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