Gold Mine Housewares Supervisor Jessica Nava recommends:
“The Tarantula Scientist” by Sy Montgomery
Is there really such a thing as a tarantula scientist? Yes, there is! Follow spider scientist Sam Marshall on an adventure into French Guiana’s steamy rainforest in search of thee fantastic eight-legged wonders. Marshall takes us into the field and shows us how he finds and collects specimens. He studies these spiders in the wild, but he is also an educator. He is a professor at Hiram College and even has a special Spider Lab. Working in the lab is very important to closely study things like spider behavior, eating habits, and even spider venom.
The Tarantula Scientist is packed full of interesting information and wonderful up-close photos, like a view of a Goliath birdeater underside. There is so much to learn like, are tarantulas really named after a dance? What are book lungs? What is the hair on the tarantula made of? After reading this book, I want to be a tarantula scientist!
Find it in our collection here.
Goliath Bird-Eating Spiders and Other Extreme Bugs by Deirdre A Prischmann
Take a peek into the world of Goliath Bird-Eating Spiders and Other Extreme Bugs. This book is quite a page turner with its fun format, great pics, and cool facts. Where else can you find an interview with a screwworm maggot and a recipe for super spider soup? This book has many interesting facts about bugs. Are ALL bugs insects? Can spiders swim? I loved jumping into a world that we hardly notice, the strange world of bugs. There is so much to learn and the side notes on each page intrigued me and made me want more.
To find out about bugs you never knew existed and answers to questions you never really thought about, pick up this book. After reading it, you’ll be able to tell your friends how a hissing cockroach hisses and what a rock crawler is. Who knows, maybe you will even want to be an entomologist! Find it in our collection here.
Weird Pets: Tarantulas by Lynn M Stone
Ah, the Red-Kneed Tarantula! What a great profile picture on the cover of Weird Pets: Tarantulas. This beautiful girl is often featured in movies since she is usually so docile and recognizable. If you are interested in having a pet tarantula, this is a great starter book for a few quick facts. It is filled with colorful photos of different types of tarantulas.
The book has very important facts to know before choosing to get a tarantula. For instance, it’s very good to know that your potential new pet does not like to be handled and cuddled like a dog or cat. Many tarantulas have urticating hairs on their bodies which is a defense mechanism and can be irritating to the skin and eyes.
Did you know that the word tarantula originated in Italy? I did not know that before reading this book. Both children and adults will enjoy this book for both the facts and pictures. Find it in our collection here.
Cool Pets for Kids: Insects and Spiders by Dawn Titmus
Cool Pets for Kids: Insects and Spiders is a great book for ideas on good pets for kids other than your typical dog, cat, or hamster. The bright color and pictures on the cover enticed me to pick up this book. There are insects featured like the Vietnamese Walking Stick, Madagascar Hissing Cockroach, and the Chilean Rose Tarantula. A few quick facts about keeping these pets gives the reader an idea of how to properly care for their potential new pet including housing, climate, and feeding needs.
There are just a few updates the reader should be aware of in the care of these more exotic pets. It is noted on a few pages that it is okay to put a sponge in your pet’s enclosure. This is no longer in practice since sponges are known to harbor mold and bacteria which are harmful to your pet. Also, tarantulas very rarely eat pinkies and should not be offered as a food choice.
Overall, this is a great starter book to get kids thinking about the possibilities of caring for other creatures and inspires kids to look further into the exotic pet of their choice. There is even a cool Bug Hotel activity at the end of the book that I am looking forward to trying! I highly recommend this book, even as an adult, you might learn a few things along with your child. I know I did! Who knew there was such a wonderful creature like the Orchid Mantis that looks like an actual orchid? Amazing! Find it in our collection here.
