Built Like a Bug: How Insects Inspire Everyday Inventions

Anjali Joshi

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Book cover for Built Like a Bug: How Insects Inspire Everyday Inventions
Image for variant 9781834020310
Book cover for Built Like a Bug: How Insects Inspire Everyday Inventions
Image for variant 9781834020310

Built Like a Bug: How Insects Inspire Everyday Inventions

Built Like a Bug: How Insects Inspire Everyday Inventions

Anjali Joshi

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Description

A fascinating look at the ingenious engineering and incredible anatomical design of insects, and how they are inspiring scientists to create a more sustainable world.

Insects are the tiny superheroes of the natural world: from the way they can camouflage themselves to their amazing teamwork, their incredible superpowers have been inspiring scientists for generations. And the more we discover about insect behavior--how they use energy, navigate, adapt, and more--the more they can teach us about how to live. 

Beautifully designed with full-color illustration throughout and packed with STEM content, Built Like a Bug invites readers to look beyond what they think they know about the teeny tiny creepy crawlers all around us. Could we one day adapt to avoid harmful foods like cockroaches? Will needles mimicking mosquitoes hurt less? How could drones modeled after dragonfly wings help prevent environmental disasters? What can termites teach us about how to stay cool in an increasingly warming world? Across eight chapters featuring sidebars, accessible language, and multiple examples from the insect world, science educator Anjali Joshi's exploration of the amazing inventions borne from studying bug behavior will enthrall insect enthusiasts and insectophobes alike.

About the Author

ANJALI JOSHI is a science teacher and curriculum developer by day, and a children's book author by night. She has published over ten books for children, sharing her love of science and storytelling through her books. Anjali lives in Toronto with her family.

KATHLEEN NG is a Toronto-based artist who dabbles in a little bit of everything. She enjoys drawing bunnies, crocheting flowers, and playing around with clay.

Critical Reviews

"A fascinating look into the ways nature inspires scientific invention and development. A great resource for middle grade readers interested in insects and putting what they learn into action."

--School Library Journal, 04/26

Publishing Information

Publisher: Annick Press
Pub date: 2026-03-17
Length: 128 pages

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