"Is that a praying mantis,
brown and green,
standing still,
trying not to be seen?"
This is another in a growing list of wondrous books written to encourage little ones and their parents to take themselves outside together and look closely at the natural world that surrounds them. While many who read this blog post do not live in Asia where the Chinese praying mantis is found, we can take a lesson from Rick Leider's spectacular photos and Helen Frost's engaging poetry. Readers are invited to be like this praying mantis. Stay still where you are, and practice being patient and quiet while paying attention.
"If it's hungry
and it's hunting,
and if you don't
go away,
you might see it
make a sudden move
to snatch its prey.
The Chinese praying mantis is but one of more than two thousand species in the world. Kids who love watching insects will learn a lot about the best ways to be observers of this mantis's habits. The detailed close-ups views are awe-inspiring. The photo of the cocoon, and the hundreds of tiny mantises emerging was enlightening - and quite the surprise.
In her closing note, Helen Frost describes the life cycle of the mantis and offers a valid suggestion for each one of us.
"Whenever you see something interesting in nature, whether it is a praying mantis, a frog or toad, a butterfly, a bluebird, a skunk, a raccoon, or anything else, keep watching. You might see the same thing again in the same place - of you might not. The important thing is, if you are patient and watch closely, you will always see something that you would have missed if you were in too much of a hurry to notice."
Wise words to live by!
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