Fireflies (Early Bird Nature) [Hardcover]

Sally M. Walker (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 3-5-This concisely written introduction focuses on a common type of beetle with the uncommon ability to produce cold light. The text describes the basic anatomy of all insects, general characteristics of beetles, special physical and behavioral characteristics of fireflies, their natural habitat, life cycle, diet, enemies, and defense mechanisms. It also identifies the specific chemicals that, when mixed with oxygen, create bioluminescence, and explains how the insects use this light to signal prospective mates. The text is well organized and clearly written. There are some minor omissions. Although the book describes the process of metamorphosis, the term itself is not used. Additionally, the species of most of the fireflies depicted are not identified either by common or scientific names. One or two good-quality color photographs or diagrams with informative captions appear on almost every page. This title falls between Sylvia Johnson's excellent Fireflies (Lerner, 1986), which offers more photographs and detail on metamorphosis, and Judy Hawes's simpler Fireflies in the Night (HarperCollins, 1991), illustrated with color drawings. Despite minor flaws, Walker's Fireflies will help fill a gap in this subject area.
Karey Wehner, San Francisco Public Library
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 7 and up
  
• Hardcover: 48 pages
• Publisher: Lerner Publications (March 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0822530473
• ISBN-13: 978-0822530473
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 7.6 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,219,180 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Almost 4 Stars - a review of "Fireflies" by Sally M. Walker, August 29, 2008

By 

Pam Tee "Busy Mom" - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Fireflies (Early Bird Nature) (Hardcover)

Fireflies by Sally Walker is part of the Early Bird Nature Books series. The book combines excellent photos with drawings to talk about all of the aspects of a firefly's life.

Chapter Headings are:

A Glowing Insect
Body Parts
Making Light
Growing Up
Dangers to Fireflies
On Sharing a Book (A Note to Adults)
Glossary
Index

Initially, I was disappointed by the photographs. In the first chapter they looked like they had been taken in the 1950s. However, after the first chapter they got better and better!

At the end of the book there is a section for adults called "On Sharing a Book". This section includes notes on how to read the book with a child; how to encourage children to be 'word detectives'; and how to use questions to make the learning experience more fun and meaningful. Nothing really awe inspiring.

Considerations:::
Published in 2001, the Accelerated Reading designation for "Fireflies" is 4.0 -- which means that book is suitable for children reading on the entering fourth grade level. The book may be read, of course, to children of any age.

Pam T. for booksforkids-review.com