Spotlight 4. Insects

In these Library Spotlight posts we’re picking a different theme each day and highlighting some of the amazing content available to you online via Sheffield Libraries, as well as out there in the wider world. 

Today we're buzzing about bees and other insects. 

Blogs on Bugs in Books

Check out this fascinating blog post from our friends at the British Library.  It seems that the pages of medieval manuscripts are full of often overlooked images of insects.

Or how about this one from our very own Sheffield City Archives team and their ongoing battle with pesky pests.

Detail of a miniature of bees collecting nectar and returning to their hive, from a bestiary with theological texts, England, c. 1200 – c. 1210, Royal MS 12 C XIX, f. 45v

Sheffield is Buzzing about the eLibrary

Since the lockdown began, thousands more Sheffielders have begun using the eLibrary.  If you're a library member you can access eBooks, eAudiobooks, eMagazines, and eComics for free.  The number of downloads has increased by over 100%!

Discover more about the Sheffield eLibrary.

Listen to the Short Story, The Bees, Part 1

In this Guardian Books podcast, bestseller Jonathan Safran Foer introduces his favourite short story:  The Bees, Part 1 by Aleksandar Hemon.  A story about the writer’s father – a Bosnian beekeeper – and his frustrated attempts to create art.  the story is read by Chris Moran.

Listen to the story online

The Book Of Hopes

Yesterday The Literacy Trust released a free e-book called The Book of Hopes to shine some light on these less cheerful times. This is a collaboration from some of the most popular current children's authors and illustrators, of extracts, illustrations and brand new short stories. If you love insects and bugs, why not skitter straight to that chapter which has 3 bug featuring tales, including a new story by bug fanatic and author M. G. Leonard.

Read the free Book of Hopes

How to Draw a Ladybird with Lydia Monks

Lydia monks is a Sheffield based picture book illustrator and longtime collaborator with Julia Donaldson.  During the recent lockdown, Lydia had been posting a series of videos demonstrating how to illustrate her familiar book characters.

Learn how to draw a Ladybird

Give Nature a Home

Our gardens collectively make up one of the biggest nature reserves in the country.  Why not take some time with the kids to make your garden more wildlife friendly by creating a bug hotel.  The RSPB website has a great page on how to get started

Learn how to build a bug hotel

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Creativity during Corona - Inspired by Moths

Each morning during lockdown, we’ve been posting daily creative prompts on Facebook  and we’ve been overwhelmed by the response from people creating their own poetry and artwork.  We look forward to showcasing some of this work during an exhibition at the Central Library when life returns to normal.

Today, Claire from the Central Library has suggested we share Moths by Jennifer O'Grady. Iin Claire's words'

I love the beautiful imagery and language of this poem, “translucent as a thought”, “pale reminders of ourselves”, but it’s what’s left unsaid that haunts me.


Read Moths online

You could simply read the poems then close…or take a look at the prompts on our Facebook page and send us your own thoughts, notes, journal piece, poem, short story,  drawing, paintings, photographs, knitting, sewing, or  songs….  Enjoy.