What Loretta’s Katydid Did is a science project in a book. Loretta is given an orange tree as a present from her Grandma. When she discovers that there are bugs on her orange tree that will harm it, Loretta doesn’t know what to do. She loves insects – even the aphids that could potentially kill her orange tree. Imagine her surprise when, a couple of days after it looked like her tree was going to die, it looked all green again. She discovered a katydid, which is an insect shaped like a leaf, had eaten most of the aphids, and that other insects and spiders soon joined in.
When it looks like the katydid would eat her orange tree next, Loretta accidentally finds out that it likes other foods, too, and so begins an scientific experiment to determine the idea ecosystem to allow her tree to flourish.
Lois Wikstrom has produced another science-based book to encourage fun learning for young children. Coupled with Francie Mion’s delightful illustrations, this is another book that needs to be widely available through the education system.
I award this book 5 stars.
