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How to Be a Dung Beetle

Part of How to Be a Bug

Author Laura Knowles, Steven Wood
Paperback
$14.99 US
DK. | DK Children
7-3/16"W x 9"H
On sale Jun 23, 2026 | 64 Pages | 9798217138487
Grades K-2
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Follow a newly hatched dung beetle as he learns to roll his own ball of dung, and visit a savanna teeming with fascinating bug characters along the way, in this first graphic novel.

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!

Narrated by a wise old grasshopper, offering tips on how to be a dung beetle, and featuring laugh-out-loud moments, this tale of savanna life is a perfect introduction to dung beetles for bug-obsessed little ones. Made in collaboration with the Royal Entomological Society, facts are blended seamlessly into the action, while hilarious illustrations from Steven Wood will engage even the most reluctant reader.
Laura Knowles View titles by Laura Knowles
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
additional book photo
additional book photo

About

Follow a newly hatched dung beetle as he learns to roll his own ball of dung, and visit a savanna teeming with fascinating bug characters along the way, in this first graphic novel.

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!

Narrated by a wise old grasshopper, offering tips on how to be a dung beetle, and featuring laugh-out-loud moments, this tale of savanna life is a perfect introduction to dung beetles for bug-obsessed little ones. Made in collaboration with the Royal Entomological Society, facts are blended seamlessly into the action, while hilarious illustrations from Steven Wood will engage even the most reluctant reader.

Author

Laura Knowles View titles by Laura Knowles
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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additional book photo

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