Ant Attack (S.W.I.T.C.H.)

Sparkes, Ali

ISBN 10: 0761392025 ISBN 13: 9780761392026

Publisher: Darby Creek ™, 2013

Synopsis

Danny and Josh were having a great day until Tarquin, the most annoying boy in the neighborhood, came over to play. He dresses like he's 55, doesn't do anything fun, and pulls the legs off of bugs. The twins thought that their day couldn't get any worse, but when they turn into ants by accident, they realize how wrong they were! Can Danny and Josh find a safe place to hide until they turn human again? And with Tarquin in the garden, will they make it out with all of their legs?

About this title

About the Author:

Before she became an author, Ali worked as a singer, journalist, magazine editor, assistant to a juggling unicyclist, and comedy columnist on BBC Radio. Ali describes herself as, at heart, an 11-year-old boy, and as a child spent a lot of time building forts, climbing trees, and digging up stuff.

Review:

"In Spider, readers meet Josh and Danny Phillips, who make the mistake of visiting the backyard of their nasty neighbor, Miss Potts. The eight-year-old twins are searching for their dog when they discover that Miss Potts has developed a formula to turn humans into insects. They are accidentally sprayed and transformed into spiders. From trying to avoid being squished or eaten by a predator to finding food, the boys realize how hard it is to be a tiny spider. All ends well when they are rescued by a couple of helpful rats. The other titles follow a similar plotline: the brothers change into insects and are transformed back to humans at the end. Descriptions of their bug thoughts will hook readers. For example, who knew the smell of cake is so irresistible to flies that they are attracted to it in an almost trancelike state? Fun incidents, such as Danny as a spider taking delight in sucking the juice out of a trapped insect, will have readers giggling or completely grossed out. Amusing black-and-white illustrations are scattered throughout. This light, early chapter-book series is a great introduction to a classroom study on insects or arachnids. Fans of Megan McDonald's 'Stink' (Candlewick), Tedd Arnold's 'Fly Guy' (Scholastic), or Dan Gutman's 'My Weird School' (HarperCollins) series will enjoy these books." ―School Library Journal

(Journal)

"Twin brothers, Danny and Josh, have encounters with their next door scientist neighbor Petty Pots who turns them, with her S.W.I.T.C.H spray, into different insects in each book. The two experience funny and scary escapades where they flee from predators and enjoy eating bug food. Each title in this series covers a different insect, its habits, body parts, and predators. Each book begins with line drawings and character descriptions of the two brothers and their dog. Each book ends with the Top Secret Diary of Petty Pots, and her conclusions of the events in the episodes. This is followed by recommended reading and websites about insects. Some of the books have a scientific glossary. Though the books are humorous, they are very informative and fascinating with the details about these small creatures." ―starred, Library Media Connection

(Journal)

About this edition

• Publisher: Darby Creek ™
• Publication date: 2013
• ISBN 10: 0761392025
• ISBN 13: 9780761392026
• Binding: Library Binding
• Number of pages: 104
• Illustrator: Collins Ross