Clearly, you all think I’m off my rocker. Here we are, all month long talking about ethical fashion, fair trade and making purchases that make a difference, and blammo, I hit you with a photograph and post of bugs and astronomy?

While I must admit that writing for (almost :D) 31 days straight on one topic is enough to make someone go a bit bug-eyed, no, I’m not crazy.What do bugs and astronomy have in common? They’re both featured in two great books on God’s wondrous creation! I am a Moms of Masterbooks blogger, and since we get a book to share about each month, you’re in for a treat with a double-dose of God’s creativity in this blog post!

Great Books on God’s Wondrous Creation

The New Astronomy Book

The New Astronomy Book is from the Wonders of Creation series -a fantastic series of beautifully illustrated books that examines the wonders of creation from a biblical perspective. I know our boys already have their eye on a few other books in the series!

Why The “New” Astronomy Book? Because they revised and updated the old version to include new up-to-date astronomical data and findings. It is written by Danny Faulkner, a retired professor of astronomy and physics, who is currently an astronomer with Answers in Genesis.

If you watch the stars at night, you will see how they change. This speaks to the enormity and intricacy of design in the universe. While the stars appear timeless, they instead reflect an all–powerful Creator who speaks of them in the Bible. Many ancient pagan cultures taught that the changing stars caused the seasons to change, but unlike these pagan teachings, the Book of Job gives credit to God for both changing stars and seasons (Job 38:31-33). When Job looked at Orion, he saw about what we see today, even though he may have lived as much as 4,000 years ago.

Seriously, each time we receive a Masterbooks book to review I am in awe of how well they fit in with what we are currently studying. We’ve been on astronomy since the summer and The New Astronomy Book has been a PERFECT supplement for further reading.

The book is separated into 3 levels of reading – so if you have young students, certain sections are highlighted to be easier reading, and then there are 2 other sections for more in-depth study for older students.

The photographs are stunning, the information really takes us just a little bit deeper into certain details our science curriculum may have mentioned, but didn’t fully expand upon. It’s really a beautiful, well-put together, informational and interesting book.

Bonus: There’s a full 3 page pull out at the back showing our solar system with all the planets and their moons!

Bugs – Big & Small God Made Them All

Bugs is written by William Zinke, who has been a science teacher for 10 years. To be quite honest, writing this post is the first chance I’ve had to really get a closer look at this book. No, it’s not the fact that it’s about bugs that it’s kept me away. Actually, I haven’t been able to get my hands on the book before now as both the boys have been hogging it for weeks! As soon as it came out of the mailbox they were all agog over it (even The Man was, too!).

And though I may not have a great affection for bugs, this book is indeed fascinating. The photographs are beautiful, bright and amazing quality, very lifelike (gulp!) and seem to draw you in to learning about these little critters.

It’s chock full of scientific facts, detailed photographs and drawings, and awesome testaments of God’s hand at work.

One of The Boy and JJ’s current favourites is the South American Titan beetle – one of the largest beetles at over 6 inches with jaws that can snap a pencil – or finger! But read on and you’ll learn that these not-so-little creatures are actually quite beneficial.

Another bug that fascinated even myself and Keekers is the Jewel beetle (it must be its resemblance to jewels that drew us in ;D). These beetles have an incredible ability to reflect different colours in their exoskeleton which gives them the jeweled look. God is such a creative creator!

These are books you’re not going to want to miss and ones that should definitely be added to your library! Even if you are a bit bug-squeamish. Check them out at New Leaf Publishing Group!