Diary of a Fly [Hardcover]

Doreen Cronin (Author), Harry Bliss (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: K and up

This is the diary...of a fly. A fly who, when she's not landing on your head or swimming in your soup, is trying to escape her 327 brothers and sisters who are driving her crazy!

Even though she's little -- just like her best friends Worm and Spider -- Fly wants to be a superhero. And why not? She walks on walls, sees in all directions at once, and can already fly!

Doreen Cronin and Harry Bliss, the team behind the New York Times bestsellers Diary of a Worm and Diary of a Spider, reach hilarious heights with their story of a little fly who's not afraid to dream big. Really big.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 3—A young fly documents many everyday situations in her diary, from fitting in on the first day of school to having trouble with the babysitter, in this book (HarperCollins, 2007) by Doreen Cronin. Fly has 327 brothers and sisters and must learn things like landing on moving targets. Fly wants to be a superhero, but she's worried that she isn't special enough. Worm and Spider, Fly's friends, help her learn that "the world needs all kinds of heroes." This humorous tale includes lots of amazing facts about flies. Illustrator Harry Bliss narrates the characters with appropriately high-pitched voices. All of the text in the illustrations and on the end papers is also narrated, including the dialogue in the comics Fly is reading. Subtle sound effects and occasional music enhance the telling. Youngsters will adore Bliss's detailed, humorous illustrations. Young readers will love this imaginative recreation of a fly's world with a human twist.—Teresa Wittmann, Westgate Elementary School, Edmonds, WA
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Audio Cassette edition.

About the Author

Doreen Cronin is the New York Times bestselling author of picture books such as Rescue Bunnies, the Diary of . . . series, and Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type, a Caldecott Honor Book. She also wrote The Trouble with Chickens, the first book in the J.J. Tully Mystery series. When she was growing up, Doreen’s dogs were Archie and Trapper (after two of her favorite television characters). She lives in Brooklyn, New York.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 40 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins; First Edition edition (August 21, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060001569
• ISBN-13: 978-0060001568
• Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 7.9 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (25 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #66,816 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #84 in Books > Children's Books > Animals > Bugs & Spiders

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Another winner!, August 21, 2007

By 

Biblioholic Beth (Portland, Oregon USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Diary of a Fly (Hardcover)

My 6-year-old son has the first two books in this "series" ("Diary of a Worm" and "Diary of a Spider") and they have been among his favorites for quite a while. We can now add this to the list - it's not *quite* as fun as the others, but it certainly comes close!

Fly is friends with Worm and Spider, and as with the other books, all three are often seen together. Fly is learning how to "be a fly", with some ups and downs along the way (She isn't so thrilled with the idea of the food chain...). She also wants to be a superhero, though she is told that she is not cut out for the job. The illustrations are as superb as the other books, and there are several scientific facts that sneak in to the story. Keen observers will have fun picking out all the details in the artwork!

A must-read, and a welcome addition to any children's library!

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great addition to the worm and spider, August 23, 2007

By 

Jake (Rochester, NY USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Diary of a Fly (Hardcover)

Too few children books written today have any significant teaching or learning lessons. This one does. Science teachers, children and adults will love it.

The illustrations and wit cross generations. Gotta get the set.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sneak In Some Learning!, August 24, 2007

By 

Wantz Upon A Time Reviews (Chicago) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Diary of a Fly (Hardcover)

Fly is a bug with lots to learn. Flies must fly, so Fly's school has teaches her how to... fly! Between school time and help from her friends Worm and Spider, Fly learns all about her strengths, and how she fits into her world.

Even if you're bugged by flies, they have a place. This cute storybook teaches children in what ways flies are remarkable, but without a preachy, textbook-style tone. In her diary, Fly shares what she's learned in the form of silly happenings.

From a ladybug babysitter to flying lessons by the clothesline, this is a cute book that will appeal to children from late preschool through mid-elementary.

Reviewed by Christina Wantz Fixemer
on 08/16/2007

4.5-Books on WUAT = 5-Stars on Amazon