Spider

Abundant insect lore and larger-than-life paper insects prove an irresistible combination in this trio of Bouncing Bug titles (``Read-About, Fold-Out, and Pop-Up''). The small (approximately five-inch-square), paper-over-board books each get off to an appealing start with their subjects depicted on the covers in vivid close-up. Each volume's five information-packed spreads are augmented by three fold-out pages, one of which offers a top and bottom view of the insect along with a detailed illustration of its interior workings. The information ranges from basic (``All ants . . . have three pairs of legs'') to more sophisticated (``Many ants send messages to each other by scent'') and is illuminated by intricate artwork. If some of the material proves beyond the youngest members of the intended audience, the books' dynamic final spreads will surely wow them. By folding back the front and back covers, an ingeniously engineered 3-D insect appears, complete with a loop to hold the covers in place and a string with which to hang bee, ant or spider. Kids will go buggy for this fun and instructive threesome. Ages 3-up. (May)