In the early 1900s, Fabre represented a new concept in biology -- the accurate observation of even tiny animals without humanizing or demonizing them. I believe this movement eventually gave rise to the modern science of Ethology, in which I was trained. The work was objective, observational naturalism pitched for popular educated audiences at the time -- whatever flowery or literary wording remains is a product of the period and the translation from French. If you are lucky, this book will make you more aware of the natural world all around you and open your eyes to an understanding of living creatures that are very different from ourselves.My small collection of popular writings by early naturalists Fabre and Maeterlinck won me a university prize when I was younger. But the greater prize was a desire to understand living things, their motivations, and behavior. It was an inspiration for me to study animal behavior, neuroscience, medicine, psychiatry, Tao, and Zen. Ultimately, these books were the spark for a happy life of helping people and other animals. I suggest you find a copy of this and read it, then read it to your children. They will never forget.I also recommend John Crompton's book of the same name, which presents Fabre's work in a very accessible form.