Best Bug Books for Storytime (Preschool, Kindergarten, First Grade)

Looking for bug-themed books that keep preschool and early elementary groups engaged during storytime? Check these out!

Can You Make a Scary Face? (2009)

By Jan Thomas · Published by Beach Lane Books
This vivacious interactive book stars a bossy ladybug and is always a home run when read aloud. Great for eliciting dramatic play, following directions, and getting kids moving (read: don’t choose it yet if your group is still working on self-control.)

Bring Me a Rock (2016)

By Daniel Miyares · Published by Simon & Schuster
A grasshopper on a power trip commands the other bugs to “Bring me a rock! The bigger the better!” But in folk-tale sensibility, when his throne begins to topple, perhaps all he needs is a pebble. Sparse, commanding text and vibrant illustrations provide loads of opportunities for characterization, visual literacy, and dialogic reading.

Bee Dance (2015)

By Rick Chrustowski · Published by Henry Holt and Co.
This is a thoughtfully designed read-aloud, packed with facts but also a smooth read aloud. It focuses on honeybees' unique ability to communicate with one another about the whereabouts of food and positions the reader as the bee. Packed with action verbs and opportunities for pantomime, this is an excellent informational picture book.

Some Bugs (2014)

By Angela DiTerlizzi · Illustrated by Brendan Wenzel · Published by Beach Lane Books
A delightful rhyming book with dynamic illustrations, this is a perfectly paced read aloud featuring many different kinds of bugs found in your own backyard. The layout is perfect for eliciting rhyming practice and visual literacy.

Beetle Bop (2007)

By Denise Fleming · Published by HMH Books for Young Readers
This beautifully designed chantable/singable book practically vibrates with energy as rhythmic, rhyming text about all kinds of typically overlooked bugs spills from page to page. So many fun moments hide in the saturated, colorful illustrations.

The Very Impatient Caterpillar (2019)

By Ross Burach · Published by Scholastic
A hilarious read aloud told completely in dialog, this story highlights a skill that children find very difficult: being patient! This caterpillar can’t believe it’s going to take two weeks to metamorphosize and annoys his fellow caterpillar to no end with his impatience. First in a quartet.