
Don't Squish a Slug
A Wonderful Celebration of Marvellous Minibeasts!
Yussef Rafik(Author)
Words & Pictures (Publisher)
Published on 20. February 2025
Book
Hardback
64 pages
978-0-7112-9343-4 (ISBN)
Description
Learn all about how amazing bugs and minibeasts are in this detailed guide to over 40 small critters from around the world. Bugs and minibeasts may be small, sometimes slimy and maybe a little scary, but they are AMAZING and deserve respect and empathy.
Don't Squish A Slug will show you everything you need to know, and more, about why bugs and minibeasts are the most important creatures on the planet, even if they may not look it!
For example, did you know that there are bugs who:
Use disguise to blend in with their surroundings
Bugs who have come up with clever defence tactics to keep themselves safe
Bugs who have broken world records?
Or, did you know that:
The Taurus Scarab Beetle is the strongest insect in the world and can pull 1,141 times its own body weight - which is the equivalent of a human lifting six double-decker buses!
Or. . . that the Banana Slug has anaesthetic slime, so if you were to lick one your tongue would go numb!
Learn about how awe-inspiring bugs and minibeasts really are in Don't Squish A Slug. Written by zoologist, conservationist and wildlife TV presenter Yussef Rafik and illustrated by Riley Samels (who makes every bug look cool), Don't Squish A Slug is a treasure-trove of expert information and quirky, retro illustrations for young readers to enjoy.
So. . . don't squash a spider, don't step on ants and definitely don't squish a slug!
Don't Squish A Slug will show you everything you need to know, and more, about why bugs and minibeasts are the most important creatures on the planet, even if they may not look it!
For example, did you know that there are bugs who:
Use disguise to blend in with their surroundings
Bugs who have come up with clever defence tactics to keep themselves safe
Bugs who have broken world records?
Or, did you know that:
The Taurus Scarab Beetle is the strongest insect in the world and can pull 1,141 times its own body weight - which is the equivalent of a human lifting six double-decker buses!
Or. . . that the Banana Slug has anaesthetic slime, so if you were to lick one your tongue would go numb!
Learn about how awe-inspiring bugs and minibeasts really are in Don't Squish A Slug. Written by zoologist, conservationist and wildlife TV presenter Yussef Rafik and illustrated by Riley Samels (who makes every bug look cool), Don't Squish A Slug is a treasure-trove of expert information and quirky, retro illustrations for young readers to enjoy.
So. . . don't squash a spider, don't step on ants and definitely don't squish a slug!
Reviews / Votes
"lots of information and fantastically detailed illustrations." * BookTrust * "Entomology looks enticing in this collection of crawlies." * Kirkus Reviews * "...encourages children to have empathy toward bugs." * Children's Literature *More details
Language
English
Place of publication
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Quarto Publishing PLC
Target group
Children/juvenile
Interest Age: From 7 to 9 years
Illustrations
Fully Illustrated
Dimensions
Height: 292 mm
Width: 237 mm
Thickness: 14 mm
Weight
612 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-7112-9343-4 (9780711293434)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

E-Book
02/2025
Words & Pictures
€16.49
Available for download
Persons
Yussef Rafik is a zoologist and wildlife TV presenter. A self-confessed nature nerd, he loves nothing more than to get outside and immerse himself in the natural world. Yussef is one of the main presenters on BBC Earth Kids where he hosts a show called Bugface.
Riley Samels is an illustrator who lives in New Haven, Connecticut where he Illustrates pop-up greeting cards daily. Riley is a member of the LGBTQIA+ community and allows this and other minority communities to inspire and fuel his work to amplify unheard voices. In his free time, he is probably tending to his collection of 112 (and growing) plants. Riley has a green thumb with a passion for illustration, social justice, traveling, and good food.
Riley Samels is an illustrator who lives in New Haven, Connecticut where he Illustrates pop-up greeting cards daily. Riley is a member of the LGBTQIA+ community and allows this and other minority communities to inspire and fuel his work to amplify unheard voices. In his free time, he is probably tending to his collection of 112 (and growing) plants. Riley has a green thumb with a passion for illustration, social justice, traveling, and good food.
Content
Introduction
Masters of Disguise
Stick Insect
Owl Butterfly
Assassin Bug
Orchid Mantis
Peppered Moth
Elephant Hawk Moth
Jewel Beetle
Amazing Evolution
Giraffe Weevil
Honeybee
Housefly
Diving Beetle
Tardigrade
Midge
Volcano Snail
Cockchafer
Diabolical Ironclad Beetle
Daring Defense
Bombardier Beetle
Madagascar Hissing Cockroach
Carpenter Ant
Froghopper
Millipede
Monarch Butterfly
Devil's Coach Horse Beetle
Pinktoe Tarantula
Banana Slug
Record Breakers
Goliath Birdeater
Fairyfly
Taurus Scarab Beetle
Antarctic Midge
Dragonfly
Giant Weta
Termite
All Sorts of Relationships
Parent Bug
Emperor Scorpion
Demodex Mite
Pseudoscorpion
Glow Worm
Tongue-eating Louse
Web-slinging Wasp
Aphid
Leafcutter Ant
Glossary
Index
Masters of Disguise
Stick Insect
Owl Butterfly
Assassin Bug
Orchid Mantis
Peppered Moth
Elephant Hawk Moth
Jewel Beetle
Amazing Evolution
Giraffe Weevil
Honeybee
Housefly
Diving Beetle
Tardigrade
Midge
Volcano Snail
Cockchafer
Diabolical Ironclad Beetle
Daring Defense
Bombardier Beetle
Madagascar Hissing Cockroach
Carpenter Ant
Froghopper
Millipede
Monarch Butterfly
Devil's Coach Horse Beetle
Pinktoe Tarantula
Banana Slug
Record Breakers
Goliath Birdeater
Fairyfly
Taurus Scarab Beetle
Antarctic Midge
Dragonfly
Giant Weta
Termite
All Sorts of Relationships
Parent Bug
Emperor Scorpion
Demodex Mite
Pseudoscorpion
Glow Worm
Tongue-eating Louse
Web-slinging Wasp
Aphid
Leafcutter Ant
Glossary
Index