Two boys discover marvels in a neighborhood vacant lot.

With help from a knowledgeable adult, two boys explore a vacant lot that turns out not to be so vacant after all. The lot is inhabited by amazing little insects and spiders: A tiny scuttle fly pesters a big damselfly in an attempt to grab part of the damselfly's meal. The boys find a spider with . . .huh? . . . too many legs! A batch of eggs turns up, but who might be the owner? (Hint: The egg-layer turns out to be rather stinky.) A butterfly attacks one of the boys who turns and runs away, much to the consternation of his buddy. An unfortunate lady beetle is tied down by minute threads. The ugliest little creature the boys have ever seen makes its living by trapping and eating ants. A colorful fly befriends one of the boys and hovers just above his shoulder. A spider catches a wasp in its web but then backs away in fear. A spider web gleams and shines in the sunlight like a meteor flashing across the night sky. In the final scene, the kids confidently deliver an oral report to their classmates who initially seem doubtful.

What must young readers do to discover tiny natural wonders for themselves? This book offers suggestions.