Tiny Monsters: The Strange Creatures That Live on Us, in Us, and around Us by Steve Jenkins (review)

Noted natural science chronicler Jenkins finally full-on embraces the horror genre with his gallery of minibeasts, creatures ranging from an inch or so in length down to microscopic. Each page or spread has an illustration of the critter in question in dramatic closeup, with a scale indication and sometimes a bonus smaller view from a different perspective; images are, according to a note, color enhanced, albeit tastefully, rather than literally accurate on the hues. The result is every bit the tour of stinging hairs, humongous eyes, and sucking mouthparts that people who cringe at creepy-crawlies may fear but grossout fans will enjoy. Unusually for Jenkins, the small accompanying text even gets in on the action, emphasizing the kill stats of mosquitoes and the risk of fatal disease from cat fleas rather than the preponderance of experience that is minor nuisance. The book never goes full B-movie, though, so it misses the thrills of Messner’s Insect Superpowers (BCCB 11/19); its focus instead is largely on the intricate design of these overlooked creatures, which may elicit intrigue as well as formication, and which will certainly have some kids revising their sci-fi dreams down to the microcosmos. A spread with thumbnails and “More Tiny Monster Facts” is appended.