Firefly Home

by Jane Clarke, Britta Teckentrup (Illustrator)

Overview

"A charming, interactive tale that can help young readers engage with reading—probably one that will earn that simple command, 'Again!'" —Kirkus Reviews

There’s no place like home. But poor Florence Firefly is lost, and there are so many bright lights shining in the night sky that she doesn’t know which way to go. She’ll need some help to find her way back home. In this clever interactive picture book, readers can participate in Florence’s journey by encouraging her to fly faster, suggesting which direction to take, and making a wish.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781536205879
Publisher:	Candlewick Press
Publication date:	06/11/2019
Series:	Neon Animals Picture Books
Pages:	24
Sales rank:	348,468
Product dimensions:	9.30(w) x 10.90(h) x 0.40(d)
Age Range:	2 - 5 Years

About the Author

Jane Clarke is the author of more than seventy books for young children, including Who Woke the Baby?, I Saw Anaconda, and Neon Leon. She enjoys visiting schools and loves animals, country walks, fossil hunts, meeting up with her sons and their families in the U.K. and U.S., and having fun with her grandchildren. Jane Clarke lives in Kent, England.

Britta Teckentrup has created more than thirty books, many of which have been translated into other languages. Her illustrations have appeared in magazines and on homeware, clothes, and packaging. She lives and works in Berlin with her artist husband; her son, Vincent; and their cat.

Editorial Reviews

06/10/2019

Florence Firefly is lost, and all the bright lights in the night sky—a city’s luster, a train’s warm glow—make it even harder for her to find her way. With encouraging prompts, this interactive picture book invites readers to help Florence navigate her return home (“Say ‘Fly faster, Florence!’ and flap your hands to show her how to fly really fast”). Set against inky blue backgrounds, digital illustrations by Teckentrup (Don’t Wake Up the Tiger) glow with bright yellow from the various light sources, written lyrically by Clark (Neon Leon) as “the big, bright moon above the sparkling sea” and “a lighthouse shining out to the boats bobbing on the water.” With each page turn, this endearing journey offers young readers a chance for active engagement, closing with one final suggested action: “Whisper ‘Night, night, Florence!’ and blow her a good-night kiss.” Ages 2–5. (June)

Publishers Weekly

A charming, interactive tale that can help young readers engage with reading—probably one that will earn that simple command, "Again!"
—Kirkus Reviews

With each page turn, this endearing journey offers young readers a chance for active engagement, closing with one final suggested action: “Whisper ‘Night, night, Florence!’ and blow her a good-night kiss.”
—Publishers Weekly

From the Publisher

06/01/2019

PreS-Gr 1—A dark, star-filled night becomes the setting for one firefly's grand adventure. While all of the other fireflies are together in their special home, Florence the firefly is lost and needs to find her way home. On her way, she encounters many bright lights, but none of them are her firefly brethren. Each time she learns that she has been misled and what she thought was her home is something else, her sadness increases. Perhaps a wish on a shooting star will provide her with the guidance she seeks. Readers familiar with the work of Eric Carle will appreciate the similar illustrations in this story. Rich dark blues situate the story squarely in the night, each page punctuated by bright yellows from both human and natural lights. The text is written to encourage reader participation, from greeting Florence, to warning her, to tracing her illuminated trail through the night sky. Though this book stands out due to its willful breaking of the fourth wall to speak directly to readers, the overall package leaves something to be desired. VERDICT A slight, seasonal read-aloud, especially for children who enjoy participatory books.—Mary Lanni, Denver Public Library

School Library Journal