The Reading Warehouse

This is the diary of P. Mantis, one of 150 brothers and sisters born on a garden bush. P. Mantis is an amazing bug: she can make herself look like a stick to hide from predators, she can swivel her head all the way around, and when she's grown up she'll even be able to fly

In dated journal entries P. Mantis describes the entirety of her life, sharing the fun and beauty of her world as well its little ups and downs (I ate one of my brothers. Okay, maybe two). Colorful, bold art helps illustrate the different stages of the mantis life cycle, and the engaging, narrative text is paired with more detailed information about praying mantises on the heavily-illustrated endpapers.

Washington Children's Choice Book Award 2019 Nominee
A New York Public Library Staff Pick for Children


Don't miss the other hilarious entries in The Nature Diary Series

Each one explores the life cycle of an animal in dated journal entries, showing young readers how they grow and change through the seasons-- and offering a few laughs, too Brightly illustrated and vetted by experts, Paul Meisel's books are a perfect introduction to your backyard neighbors.

My Happy Year by E. Bluebird
A Junior Library Guild Selection

My Stinky Summer by S. Bug
A Junior Library Guild Selection

Paul Meisel is an award-winning author and illustrator for children. His SEE ME RUN (Holiday House, 2012) was voted a Theodore Seuss Geisel Honor book! Paul lives and works in Connecticut, where Paul and his wife and raised their three grown sons. Paul spends most days working in his studio, which has a nice view of the woods and the backyard--often filled with deer, turkeys, an occasional coyote, and once in a great while, a bobcat.