'The best books, reviewed with insight and charm, but without compromise.'
- author Jackie French

Friday, 2 August 2024

Review: Dung Beetle on a Roll

Did you know Australia has more than 500 species of native dung beetles?

Did you know that like bees, there's a hierarchy in the dung beetle community? 

Dung Beetle on a Roll is written and illustrated by Sandra Servergnini. It's a narrative non-fiction exploration of the dung beetle world.

It explains what dung is and why dung beetles love it. Detailed, realistic illustrations help expose some of the minutiae of life as a dung beetle, from rollers to tunnellers to dwellers.

Male beetles create enormous, compacted balls of dung, hoping to find and impress a mate. Female beetles dig under the dung balls and lay their eggs. 

Dung Beetle on a Roll includes plenty of fabulous dung beetle facts, and will have young readers keen to look for these creatures in the world around them, and to discover other insect species.

Dung beetles have an important part to play in the environment, and Dung Beetle on a Roll helps children learn why. The end papers offer extra enjoyment, with readers able to trace the path taken by a dung beetle.  

Dung Beetle on a Roll is a fascinating book for young scientists in the making, and for the adults in their lives.

Download notes for teachers from the publisher's website.

Title: Dung Beetle on a Roll
Author/Illustrator: Sandra Severgnini
Publisher: CSIRO Publishing, $ 24.99
Publication Date: August 2024
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9781486318872
For ages: 5+
Type: Junior Non-Fiction