Customer Reviews

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

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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!

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.

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."

An educational book about dragonflies, Eliza and the Dragonfly is a well-crafted children's book. The story teaches the reader about the life cycle of the dragonfly from nymph to adult. It also introduces them to the occupation of entomologist. At the back of the book is additional information on dragonflies as well as resources to learn more about them. Eliza and the Dragonfly is a recommended and educational read for young children.