juvie SF book boys take potion, shrink, do battle with and harness insects to go somewhere 5th, 6th

I read a children's science fiction book from my school library, probably around 1962 or so which was about two boys who's father was a scientist. He was working on a potion that would make people or animals grow. The kids took the potion, but, instead of growing, they shrank, to the size of insects. There was a long trek from where they were to where they wanted to go, which involved harnessing butterflies and other insects and trying to avoid getting eaten by anything.

I have no idea who the author was or what the title was but the book has always stayed in my mind, probably one of my first science fiction experiences. Anyone have any idea about it? I went to a small country school then which didn't have a very big library but it actually did have some pretty good children's books--I was introduced to the Edward Eager Magic series, read some books by Rene Prud'hommeaux and Andre Norton. I can remember them but not the boys and bugs one. I remember reading the Space Cat books by Ruthven Todd also.

Anyhow, if anyone has read that book and can remember something more than I can--the kicker was that it was a good thing they took the shrinking potion because everything that the growing potion was given to died. That's it, folks. Thanks!

WorldCat result. Could it be this? I haven't read it. The city under the back steps by Evelyn Sibley Lampman.

The Boys Who Vanished by John F Carson, a favorite of mine in my salad days.

That's it, thank you! I may have already said thanks, but I'm at work and got interupted and don't know if I posted it, but that's the book and the library actually still has a copy! Cool.

Now, do you remember another one that was more magical, I think kids went to visit a relative in an old house, went through a special door (not to Narnia) and magic was involved. What I remember most is there was a picture of black and white squares or tiles that did sort of an optical illusion thing when you stared at them. It might have been set in England, or maybe New England, not sure, and can't seem to pull much more up than that picture of the squares.

For some reason a bunch of those starter books have been coming back to me every so often and being extremely frustrating, since I can't remember the titles or authors. I developed my love of science fiction and mystery at that little library and I haven't stopped since. Thanks so much for the help.

MHC

That's not it, but thank you, we did find it! Boys Who Vanished.

I'm new here, so forgive any mistakes as I learn the navigation rules--pass on the left or right?

Congrats. on finding it! If you have a new query, it is a good idea to make a new post on the forum (one book per post makes it easy to keep track) with an appropriate subject line, as this book search is now solved and has nothing to do with the new book in question, and people aren't likely to look.

6> The way to mark who you're responding to is as I've done here - put the message number at the beginning of your answer. There isn't any automatic connection, it has to be done in the text.

And those squares are sounding just slightly familiar. But nothing I can track down. Seconding bookel's recommendation to make a separate topic - the subject line of the topic is what lures people in to check and give possible answers.

If you want a similar idea but written in a hard science fiction way try “bug Park” by Hogan. Good book.