Behold the Beautiful Dung Beetle by Cheryl Bardoe is a science picture book that will delight kids and gross out their parents. These beetles live on the poop of animals (but not their own.)
Sample: "For these beetles, dung is a precious pile of food and drink."
Readers will learn that there are three types of dung beetles, each with a special way of eating feces: dwellers, rollers and tunnelers.
This book has a fascinating facts section, glossary, and selected bibliography.
Activity:
Locate dung beetles by looking under cow patties or deer droppings but as the author warns, wear gloves, so you don't get sick from the bacteria that live in dung and wash your hands afterwards.
