Small But Mighty: Why Earth’s Tiny Creatures Matter

Despite their diminutive size, tiny creatures have an important role to play in Earth’s ecosystems. Representative of several different animal groups, the roster of 12 creatures featured in Small But Mighty: Why Earth’s Tiny Creatures Matter includes krill, leafcutter ants, bee hummingbirds, tardigrades, fireflies, millipedes, cookiecutter sharks, reticulated glass frogs, least weasels, termites, purple sea stars and honeybees. A double-page spread is devoted to each animal. The left-hand page gives the name of the animal, a very brief introduction (just a couple of sentences), and an interesting fact, accompanied by an amusing cartoon drawing, while the right-hand page provides more detailed information along with a more realistic drawing. A small circle in the top right corner tells the animal’s actual size as compared to a familiar object (for example, a firefly is a bit bigger than a jelly bean and a least weasel is about as long as a chopstick). Readers will be introduced to such terms as keystone species, indicator species and invasive species. The book has an interesting ending in that it states that the readers, i.e., children, are also small, yet their actions have an impact on the Earth, as do those of the creatures in the book.

Though the text of Small But Mighty is engaging, it provides only brief, general information, and some facts are lacking (for example, what is a tardigrade and what is its purpose?). While most of the animals deserve a place in the book for how they help the Earth (for instance, by their providing a food source for ocean dwellers, enriching the soil with bacteria and nutrients, or pollinating flowers), the inclusion of other entries is a bit more obscure. For example, fireflies, themselves, do not help the Earth with their ability to glow, but they inspire scientists to attempt to invent light bulbs that create light but generate little or no heat.

A glossary is included.