Bugs for Breakfast

Book excerpt: Most North Americans would rather squish a bug than eat it. But mopane worms are a tasty snack in Zimbabwe, baby bees are eaten right out of the can in Japan, and grasshopper tacos are popular in Mexico. More than one-fourth of the world's population eats insects—a practice called entomophagy. Bugs for Breakfast helps middle-grade readers understand the role insects fill in feeding people around the world. Readers will be introduced to the insect specialties and traditions around the globe. They'll discover how nutritious bugs can be and why dining on insects is more environmentally friendly than eating traditional protein sources. Kids will see how making small changes in their own diets could help ensure no one goes hungry. It even includes 13 insect recipes! No doubt about it: teachers, librarians, and parents are hungry for books that entice young readers to be active participants in science. Bugs for Breakfast may not completely remove the yuck-factor from the notion of eating bugs, but it will open young readers' minds to what is happening in the world around them.