One Little Dung Beetle

One Little Dung Beetle is a charming and educational picture book that celebrates one of nature's most important yet often overlooked creatures. Shortlisted for the 2025 CBCA Early Childhood category, this engaging title combines fun storytelling with gentle science content, helping young readers discover the essential role dung beetles play in our environment. Through rhythmic, repetitive text and vibrant illustrations, children are introduced to the life and work of the dung beetle in a way that is both entertaining and informative. The narrative follows one small beetle making a big difference, encouraging readers to appreciate all creatures-no matter their size or job. Perfect for pre-readers and early readers, One Little Dung Beetle is ideal for shared reading, science discussions, or environmental education. The story also supports early counting skills, pattern recognition, and sequencing, making it a well-rounded resource for early years classrooms. Aligned with the Australian Early Years Learning Framework, this book fosters curiosity, empathy for nature, and a foundational understanding of ecosystems and biodiversity in a way that is perfectly pitched for young minds.

Educational Benefits:

• Builds early science knowledge about insects and their role in the environment.
• Encourages counting, sequencing, and pattern recognition in an engaging context.
• Fosters curiosity and respect for nature and lesser-known animals.
• Supports language development through repetition, rhyme, and descriptive vocabulary.

Classroom Ideas:

• Use during science units on mini-beasts, soil, or composting.
• Invite students to create insect fact cards or drawings based on the book.
• Integrate into counting and sequencing activities during maths lessons.
• Lead a discussion on the importance of all animals in our ecosystem-even the small ones!

Information:

• Ages: Suitable for 3 to 6 years