Fireflies for Nathan [Library Binding]

Shulamith Levey Oppenheim (Author), John Ward (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1994

On a very special evening, Nathan, who has come to visit his grandfather, goes with him to catch lightning bugs in the same jar in which his daddy used to love to catch them.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

A boy is introduced to a familiar rite of summer--and to some family history--during a stay with his grandparents in this low-key picture book. Six-year-old Nathan enjoys hearing his Nana and Poppy tell about his father's childhood. So when he finds out that his father liked to catch fireflies, Nathan insists on giving it a try. Though it's a struggle for him to be patient, Nathan waits for dark and embarks on his adventure with great delight. Oppenheim's ( The Lily Cupboard ) simple story has a cozy tone, mirrored in Ward's warm acrylic portraits of an African American family. Particularly childlike dialogue infuses the proceedings with believable enthusiam. Deep-hued nighttime scenes, lit by the flickering insects, and a glowing sunset demonstrate Ward's skill in depicting variances of natural light and shadow. Families, budding entomologists and anyone who's ever tried to make a firefly lamp will all find something to like here. Ages 4-up.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 1-Nathan, a fetching six-year-old African-American boy whose eyes twinkle with curiosity and delight on the book's cover, is staying with his father's parents in the country. When told that his dad's favorite activity at age six was catching fireflies, he anxiously waits for darkness, catches a jarful of the twinkling creatures, and takes it to bed with him, just as his father did as a child. And, just as his father did, he asks his grandparents to let them go once he falls asleep. Ward's illustrations, mostly double-page spreads, are painted with acrylics on canvas. They range from primitive folk-art style scenes to carefully detailed portraits on impressionist backgrounds to realistic representations of various creatures-goldfinch, monarch butterfly, bullfrog. The lightning bugs appear as phosphorescent dots. This is an honest, heartwarming look at a loving relationship between a child and his grandparents.
Susan Scheps, Shaker Heights Public Library, OH
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Library Binding: 1 pages
• Publisher: Tambourine (August 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0688121489
• ISBN-13: 978-0688121488
• Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 8.7 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,318,142 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Heartwarming and Beautifully Illustrated, April 23, 2010

By 

Caryn (Port Washington, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Fireflies for Nathan (Picture Puffins) (Paperback)

Both my two-year-old and my seven-year-old enjoyed this simple, yet beautifully written and illustrated story. Although my two-year-old has asked me to reread it many times, the language and illustrations are appropriate for children who are preschool through early elementary school. I would highly recommend this book.