How to Be a Dung Beetle

Paperback
$14.99 US
On sale Jun 23, 2026 | 64 Pages | 9798217138487

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Shrink to the size of a garden bug and enter the world of a dung beetle in this first graphic novel for kids.

This nature graphic novel, made in collaboration with the Royal Entomological Society, is a perfect introduction to dung beetles for bug-obsessed little ones aged 5-7.

Follow a newly hatched dung beetle as he learns to roll his own ball of dung, and visit a savannah teeming with fascinating bug characters along the way, in this first graphic novel. Narrated by a wise old grasshopper, offering tips and tricks on how to be a dung beetle and featuring laugh-out-loud moments, this tale of savannah life is a perfect introduction to dung beetles for bug-obsessed kids.

This bug book for kids offers:
  • A graphic novel format to engage children in nonfiction topics.
  • Content made in partnership with the Royal Entomological Society, providing scientific information about insects.
  • An engaging story about a newly hatched dung beetle as he learns how to navigate pond life.

Roly loves living in a dung ball: it’s safe, warm, and comes with all the dung he can eat! But soon he starts to wonder about life outside the dung ball. As soon as Roly has grown into an adult dung beetle, he bursts out into the big, wide world, where he learns how to avoid predators, how to roll his own dung ball, and where to find the best dung for his dinner. Soon, he’s on his own pooper scooper adventure to clean up as much dung as he can!

More in the series

Learn all about insects through a fun and engaging graphic novel format in this series made in collaboration with the Royal Entomological Society. If you enjoyed How to be a Dung Beetle, why not follow the life of a ladybug with How to be a Ladybug or take to the skies in How to be a Dragonfly?
Steven Wood lives in a house in Brighton, on the south coast of England. He spends most of his time illustrating children’s books, drinking coffee, and spying on the neighborhood cats.
 
When drawing, his main focus is always the cast of characters that bring life and movement to the picture. He loves to emphasize subtle humor, taking influence from the adventure stories he loved as a child. Whether that’s tales of pirates and sunken treasure, cowboys, knights and dragons, or classic murder mystery stories, they all shape the pictures he loves to draw. 
 
When not working, Steven’s favorite hobbies are reading comics, eating biscuits, and playing sports. Yay sports-ball! View titles by Steven Wood
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About

Shrink to the size of a garden bug and enter the world of a dung beetle in this first graphic novel for kids.

This nature graphic novel, made in collaboration with the Royal Entomological Society, is a perfect introduction to dung beetles for bug-obsessed little ones aged 5-7.

Follow a newly hatched dung beetle as he learns to roll his own ball of dung, and visit a savannah teeming with fascinating bug characters along the way, in this first graphic novel. Narrated by a wise old grasshopper, offering tips and tricks on how to be a dung beetle and featuring laugh-out-loud moments, this tale of savannah life is a perfect introduction to dung beetles for bug-obsessed kids.

This bug book for kids offers:
  • A graphic novel format to engage children in nonfiction topics.
  • Content made in partnership with the Royal Entomological Society, providing scientific information about insects.
  • An engaging story about a newly hatched dung beetle as he learns how to navigate pond life.

Roly loves living in a dung ball: it’s safe, warm, and comes with all the dung he can eat! But soon he starts to wonder about life outside the dung ball. As soon as Roly has grown into an adult dung beetle, he bursts out into the big, wide world, where he learns how to avoid predators, how to roll his own dung ball, and where to find the best dung for his dinner. Soon, he’s on his own pooper scooper adventure to clean up as much dung as he can!

More in the series

Learn all about insects through a fun and engaging graphic novel format in this series made in collaboration with the Royal Entomological Society. If you enjoyed How to be a Dung Beetle, why not follow the life of a ladybug with How to be a Ladybug or take to the skies in How to be a Dragonfly?

Author

Steven Wood lives in a house in Brighton, on the south coast of England. He spends most of his time illustrating children’s books, drinking coffee, and spying on the neighborhood cats.
 
When drawing, his main focus is always the cast of characters that bring life and movement to the picture. He loves to emphasize subtle humor, taking influence from the adventure stories he loved as a child. Whether that’s tales of pirates and sunken treasure, cowboys, knights and dragons, or classic murder mystery stories, they all shape the pictures he loves to draw. 
 
When not working, Steven’s favorite hobbies are reading comics, eating biscuits, and playing sports. Yay sports-ball! View titles by Steven Wood

Photos

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additional book photo
additional book photo
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additional book photo

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