Eliza and the Dragonfly (Ira Children's Book Awards. Primary) [Hardcover]

Susie Caldwell Rinehart (Author), Anisa Claire Hovemann (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: P and up | Series: Ira Children's Book Awards. Primary

Teachers and parents! This book is a rare find, well deserving of the prestigious award from CBC-NSTA. The science about dragonflies is perfectly integrated into a story in which the remarkable metamorphosis of a dragonfly from a mucky nymph (Eeeewww, says Eliza) to a beautiful winged creature (Magnificent! says Aunt Doris) is a metaphor for the magic of how Eliza, too, grows up. Teachers will find it useful primarily in an elementary science unit on insects, life cycles and habitats, but also in for language arts lessons in theme, symbolism, and metaphor. The watercolor illustrations are rich, whimsical, and fun. There are two pages of additional science in the back. This is an exceptional example of creative non-fiction writing.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Rinehart reveals the beauty and wonder of the hidden world that can be found in a local pond or woods. -- Eleanor Sterling, Ph.D., Director of the Center for Bio-diversity & Conservation, American Museum of Natural History, August 2003

The magic of a dragonfly's transformation leads to a transformation in Eliza too. Written with charm and insight . . . --Kathy Biggs, Author of Common Dragonflies of California, August 2003

About the Author

When Susie Caldwell Rinehart is not busy mucking about in the pond watching dragonflies, she is a teacher and writer. Born in Toronto, Canada, she has degrees in English and Science. Susie believes that the best kind of learning takes place on the edge between science and art. Eliza and the Dragonfly is her first children's book. Susie lives in Vershire, Vermont with her husband Kurt, and their son Cole. AUTORBIO: (Illustrator) It seems that Anisa Claire Hovemann has always been an artist. As a three year-old, she would form remarkably lifelike dinosaurs out of her colorful playdough. At the Waldorf elementary school she attended, her artistic tendencies fit naturally into the curriculum. She is currently a senior at the Maryland Institute College of Art, pursuing a degree in fine arts-but took off a semester to finish this project, her first illustrated book. Her research included spending quite a bit of time at "Dragonfly Pond" near her home in Nevada City, California

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Dawn Pubns (March 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1584690607
• ISBN-13: 978-1584690603
• Product Dimensions: 11.4 x 9.2 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #699,324 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Simply Wonderful!!, June 26, 2004

By 

"adancy2" (Austin, TX United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Eliza and the Dragonfly (Sharing Nature With Children Book) (Paperback)

I read this book to my son's first grade class and became the most popular "mom reader" around. For a group of mostly city kids who don't generally think about squishing around in the muck on purpose, this sweet, smart story opened the children's minds to the wonder and beauty of nature, and gave us all some gross (and cool!) things to ponder. The author did a wonderful job of telling a simple yet poignant story about growing up, learning from the world around us, and sharing our love and knowledge with family and friends. The illustrations are equally amazing. And the kids and I loved learning all the names of the different types of dragonflies at the end. This book makes me want to be the kind of mom who isn't afraid of anything gross!

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautifully written and illustrated!, May 19, 2004

By 

RobynCz "robyncz" (Austin, Texas United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Eliza and the Dragonfly (Sharing Nature With Children Book) (Paperback)

I can't say enough good things about this book. The story is compelling and well written. The information is factually correct and presented at just the right level for precocious preschoolers and young school-age children. And the art is absolutely stunning. I wish there were more children's books like this on the market--books that are able to combine good storytelling with interesting and accurate information. This is the stuff that makes kids want to read learn. I'm going to buy it for the library at my daughters' school and for everyone I know with a child between the ages of 4 and 8.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Magnificent, March 10, 2004

By 

Dr. Leon-C. Malan (New London, NH USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Eliza and the Dragonfly (Ira Children's Book Awards. Primary) (Hardcover)

Magnificent! This book makes you want to get out, muck around in a pond, ask questions about the wonder of life and go "wow?" The story of a little girl that follows the transformation of a nymph into a dragonfly is not only a metaphor for her own growing up, but it is a wonderful demonstration of the natural curiosity we need to cultivate in children. Eliza learns about dragonflies, nymphs and the importance of asking questions. Philosopher Abraham Heschel wrote that "under the running sea of our theories and scientific explanations lies the aboriginal abyss of radical amazement." Author Susie Caldwell Rinehart found a way of keeping that amazement alive and making it accessible to children. The illustrations in the book are works of art. There is hardly any white space in the book as page after page come alive with color. I liked the additional information, list of further readings, and web sources at the end of the book for curious little explorers. A great book. Every child should have an "Aunt Doris" who responds with a "magnificent!" to the creatures that make most of us go "eeeww."