In this time of spring rain in the Western hemisphere, we see an abundance of worms coming out, as well as beetles, crickets, ants, spiders, and all our insect friends. While some may feel fear or aversion toward bugs, many know them to be crucial citizens of our soil and vegetated areas. Even ticks or mosquitoes form part of our global interconnected community, so, as much as possible, we refrain from harming these small beings. In a children’s library, well-stocked with wonderful resources, one can find books that support even adults in re-examining perhaps long-held malice toward crawly creatures.
I am often asked why not all Buddhists are vegetarian. There is no short and simple answer to this, though I address it in my book, Kindness for All Creatures (Shambhala 2019). Whether one eats meat, fish, poultry, or is vegetarian or vegan, beings are harmed in the process of cultivating or harvesting all manner of human sustenance. The largest number of creatures killed by grain agriculture and harvesting are insects, as well as through pesticides and herbicides. But more important than pointing fingers about who eats what is to focus on harm reduction—including toward water, soil, air, and ecosystems—and praying for all beings, large and small.
Those of us who are fortunate to be parents or teachers, or to have children in our lives in any capacity, have a splendid opportunity to start young by educating them on the perspectives of insects of all kinds. To this end, I provide here a few inspiring and fun filled books to enjoy.
Bala Books, an imprint of Shambhala Publications, has recently published a wealth of new children’s books, including Don’t Kill the Bugs (2023), which I find particularly helpful and appealing. Its message is clear, framed in rhyme, with uplifting, positive messaging on cooperation, education between children, and peer support, beautifully illustrated:
‘Be kind, don’t kill. That harmless bee is scared, just like you. That tiny thing has real feelings, too!’ This gentle story follows a group of friends as they learn to reconsider their relationship with the small beings of the earth—spiders, ladybugs, bees, and beetles—that are equally deserving of kindness and compassion. This book prompts reflection on how we respond to moments of conflict, fear, or uncertainty. (Tricycle)
In my experience of more than 30 years as an educator, I have found that children, especially the younger ones, often love to be upholders of truth and goodness and to show their bravery in defense of the small or weak. Once exposed to the perspectives of other species, they take on the role of protector and educator themselves, defenders of creatures great and small.
The Bug Club (Drawn and Quarterly 2021), by Elise Gravel, is a wonder of facts and fanciful creations. Delightful illustrations of bugs, both real and imagined, fill its pages and are sure to win over even the more insect-phobic of folks. I appreciate how the author taps into two kinds of kids: those who love to study the real scientific world, and those who are adept at dreaming up their own critters and characters and thus connect to worlds both real and imagined. Resources abound on studying entomology at any age, but those that stoke the imagination as well as the natural sciences I find to be doubly valuable.
These resources help children and adults alike to gain a deeper understanding of our insect companions. When encouraged to do so, kids can be particularly aware of stepping carefully around worms and relocating slugs, beetles, ladybugs, and spiders out of harm’s way, back into the wooded campus areas. Sharing the planet has its challenges, but together we can learn through empathy.
The children’s storybook Hey Little Ant (Tricycle Press 1998) by Phillip and Hannah Hoose illustrates how to generate empathy and compassion for animals and humans. Renowned conservationist Jane Goodall describes this book as, “The perfect tool to help inspire compassion in our world’s youth.” (Goodreads) It is a deep and meaningful story told partially from the ant’s own perspective, engendering a wider lens for the reader on who is important and who is not. Our human-centric worldview starts young, almost by osmosis, and can be counteracted by purposeful learning and exploration.
All species are interconnected, and we have countless daily opportunities to notice how we impact one another. Sometimes we can notice this through our subtle forms of domination or even potential bullying and nipping it in the bud, or by watching our emotions and finding healthy ways to express frustration through movement, conversation, journaling, and drawing. Our actions matter, and sometimes our intention and impact manifest as two disparate things. This is even more reason for us to focus on the Buddha’s teachings of wisdom and compassion to increase empathy within and between us!
See more
Kindness for All Creatures (Shambhala Publications)
Don’t Kill the Bugs (Shambhala Publications)
The Bug Club (Drawn and Quarterly)
Hey, Little Ant (Goodreads)
Buddhist Books for Kids (Tricycle)
Related features from BDG
Walking Together: Reflections from a Spring Retreat with My Daughter
Raising Healthy Children
Should Children Take Refuge?
Introducing the Buddhadharma to Non-Buddhist Parents of School-age Children
Walking the Motherhood Walk
