Extraordinary Insects: The Fabulous, Indispensable Creatures Who Run Our World

Funny, fascinating, and eye-opening, Extraordinary Insects is a joyful introduction to the tiny creatures that quietly run our world.

Insects make up roughly half of all animal life on Earth, thriving everywhere from deep caves and hot springs to mountain peaks and—even—inside our homes. With infectious enthusiasm and wit, Anne Sverdrup-Thygeson reveals just how strange, diverse, and indispensable insects truly are. (Yes, some have ears on their knees and tongues under their feet.)

Beyond their oddities, insects are essential to human survival. Without them, there would be no chocolate, no antibiotics as we know them, no fertile soil, no pollinated crops, and no healthy ecosystems. From fruit flies that advanced medical research to insects that clean wounds, digest plastic, and recycle the natural world, these small beings play enormous roles.

Packed with astonishing facts, historical tidbits, and real-world examples, Extraordinary Insects invites readers to see bugs not as nuisances—but as vital partners in life on Earth.

Perfect for: curious readers, nature lovers, pollinator advocates, educators, science fans, and anyone ready to fall in love with the insects they once overlooked.