Insect Superpowers by Kate Messner, illustrated by Jillian Nickell

I was extremely excited when this book blipped on my radar. A graphic novel! By Kate Messner! Nonfiction! About bugs! I bought it right away and took it to book club, where it was quickly snatched up by an avid reader. Finally, I got my turn to read it and it did not disappoint.

The subtitle promises "18 real bugs that smash, zap, hypnotize, sting, and devour!" and insect fans will find just that. The table of contents divides the insects into six categories, "Fast & Fierce, Great Imposters, Big & Tough, Masters of Chemical Weaponry, Engineers & Architects, and Amazing Ants." The introduction explains how insects are classified and divided, with a colorful illustration of the insect orders. Each insect is introduced with a dramatic image, list of facts which includes their names, size, and secret hideout and superpower. There are several pages illustrating the insect in action, then a portrait of their "archenemy" and their allies.

Nickell's illustrations walk the fine line between dramatic illustration and scientific accuracy. The colors are vibrant and while they include dramatic images of the insects beheading their prey, battling, and being hunted, there are also careful details of their actual size and physical characteristics.

Readers will learn about "The Decapitator" or Asian giant hornet, which decapitates and devours honeybees and is in turn hunted by the honey buzzard. There's the pink orchid mantis, which disguises itself as a flower to hunt its prey and is so good at mimicry that it was mistaken by a journalist in 1879 for a flower that ate insects! The giant weta is an example of the big and tough insects, but sadly not tough enough to survive the introduction of rodents into its habitat. Don't make Charles Darwin's mistake and put the bombardier beetle in your mouth! You'll regret the taste of this master of chemical weapons. The antlion or doodlebug is a deadly predator but also an amazing architect and the book finishes with a whole section on ants and their superpowers.

There are two pages of backmatter, an author's note about the true facts included in the book and a list of further books and online resources to explore.

Verdict: I am loving all the awesome graphic nonfiction that's coming out and this is an excellent addition. A must-buy for your graphic and insect-loving readers.

ISBN: 9781452139104; Published November 2019 by Chronicle; Purchased for the library