This is a beautifully illustrated book encouraging curiosity, wonder, and respect for nature and her little creatures. I found it interesting and far from generic, and hope that it will find its way to thousands of little readers!

Don't Squish a Slug is a wonderfully illustrated children's encyclopedia that on top of being visually stunning presents the information in an accessible language that any kid can understand. This is actually a big deal because, as a bookseller, I've been shocked by how many science books aimed at kids are full of the scientific jargon and overly complex syntax of academic writing. The message of the book is also amazing - it talks of the importance of the little critters who might seem unimportant but actually help the environment in many amazing ways.

This book is eye catching to look at. If you enjoy learning about bugs and insects then this is the book for you. It's full of information on so many different bugs, many I hadn't even heard of. It's beautifully illustrated and easy to read. I would recommend. Thank you for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for granting access to this book.

This is a charming book that teaches young children to be respectful of insects and bugs. It also teaches them that even if they look it, bugs aren't that scary and should be treated just like anyone else -- with kindness. I thought this book conveyed this message in a way young children would understand. I also enjoyed the illustrations in this book.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher

As an unrepentant slug squisher, I saw this book and was curious. Why not squish a slug? They are slimy and eat my flowers. After reading this book, I have a better understanding of the importance of bugs (and slugs) in the natural world. Although we don't like them, they do have a place and a job to do to keep the world tidy. This book separates bugs into categories by how they interact with the world. The illustrations are detailed and the dense text can be pared down to the child's reading abilities. I'd put this book in the hands of any nature-loving, bug-squishing child knowing that they will find plenty of information to absorb.

This was a lovely book that as a bug admirer I very much enjoyed.

The illustrations were stunning and provided a more gentle introduction to bugs than might photorealistic pictures which I think can help people get used to creepy crawlies. I can’t speak to the accuracy of all the information, but as far as facts I already knew related to certain bugs it looked correct.

There seemed to be a good mix of different types of bugs from around the world, in all different shapes and sizes.

My only wish would have been that there was a section at the end that focused more on what the public (and especially kids) could do to help bugs. Perhaps building a bug hide for the winter, looking for a beneficial insect before using a chemical in the garden, ways to look for bugs in the wild under rocks. Things like that. There were mentions in the book of species that are threatened but no resources at the end for further learning. Just a thought.

That being said would definitely recommend even if some of the bugs I’m happy to only ever see in this book.

Thank you NetGalley for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

An informative book about bugs/slugs and all the things in nature. There is actually a lot more in here than I was expecting. The illustrations are great as well.

It is a lot more informational than I expected. It is absolutely beautifully illustrated. I am usually terrified of insects but the illustrations make them look fascinating.

I loved the illustrations in this non-fiction childrens book. The information was well put, and I think it would be a great asset to any children's collection at a library.

If you ever wanted to learn about a bunch of bugs, this is the book for you! I would recommend this book for ages 7-10, but I enjoyed it myself as an adult, too. It's got great illustrations, fun facts, and a wide variety of bugs are represented. Do you want to learn about the bug that's so tiny it lives in your hair follicles? Creepy, but cool! I also appreciate the index, which is often missing from kids books, because you can hone in on any specific aspect of bugs, from bioluminescence to mouthparts.

Absolutely LOVED the art style! I read this to my child and we learned so so many facts about insects!

Don't Squish a Slug is a short book that is somehow still packed with information, yet so easy to read. The author uses the correct wording, including hard to understand science terms, but breaks them down immediately in a digestible way. Although I still dislike houseflies, the book managed to show me a new perspective about the world around me about how great our ecosystem is and how brilliant nature can be.
The pictures are gorgeous and I will definitely be referencing fun facts learnt in this book in conversations with friends!

From the cover, I expected this to be a lighthearted story about being nice to bugs. It turns out to be full of great bug facts! The bugs are grouped by fun descriptors like defense mechanisms and record holders. To top it off, the illustrations are done by a personal fave, Riley Samuels. It's a delightful book!

A perfect book for the bug-loving kiddo in your life!

Don't Squish a Slug is an informative and engaging look at all the creepy crawlies we take for granted, from beetles and ants to slugs and spiders. It is *jam packed* with information and awesome facts that are sure to astound.

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for providing me with a free eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I loved the illustrations in this book they were very cute. I also loved the story as well. I 100% reccomend.

Last read of 2024! I was in a bug mood and they don't write enough for adults. Probably because children's books are just as informative and far more entertaining. As a systematics nerd, I dislike with how certain relationships and facts were characterized, but for the most part I enjoyed reading this.

This is a great, informative book about many kinds of bugs. The author knows how to pick out some of the most interesting and fun facts about the different bugs, and the illustrations provide extra detail. Thanks to NetGalley for letting me read this.

An informative book about many different types of bugs and their unique characteristics, my kids enjoyed this.

Absolutely gorgeous illustrations with quite a lot of wordy info, best for older kids who love bugs and are able to read it to themselves.

Thank you to NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group – words & pictures for the opportunity to read and review this e-ARC: 'Don't Squish a Slug by Yussef Rafik'.

2 out of 3 stars.
I wish I could give this more, but there were major errors that need fixing before this gets put on the shelves and I've decided to contact the publishers urgently

Beautiful illustrations, lots of awesome insects. If this gets fact-checked this has amazing potential as I really enjoyed myself.

I would like to review this when it's edited.