Written By: Shana Keller
Illustrated by: Ramona Kaulitzki
For Ages: 4-8 years
Language: English
Topics Covered: Rhyming, Science, Nature, Bioluminescence, Kindness, Family, Girls Outdoors.
Summary: This sweet and simple rhyming story is about a firefly that gets lost and ends up in the ocean, misdirected by bioluminescence. Rescued by a young woman and her niece, the firefly is set back on the right track.
The illustrations in this book are absolutely stunning, and it awoke the nostalgia I have for firefly hunting as a child when I lived on a farm in Kansas. Fly, Firefly! is an excellent example of a story with characters of color experiencing joy and kindness for the natural world, rather than overcoming a great struggle. The rhyming doesn’t feel forced, and overall the story is just an ode to lovely summer evening walks and lending a helping hand to the smallest critters that we come in contact with. For the record, I am definitely the person that releases every spider outside and doesn’t swat flies (much to some individuals dismay). Author Shana Keller grew up near Rachel Carson’s homestead, and there’s additional information about her in the back, as well as the finer points between bioluminescence, phosphorescence, and fluorescence.
This book was sent by Sleeping Bear Press as a submission for the #bookstagang_bestof2020 list, but all opinions are my own!
From Shana’s website:
“The day I got my library card was far more exciting than the day I got my driver’s license. Okay, maybe not. But, it was just as liberating! In addition to reading (or writing) about amazing people, and learning as much as I can about history, I will always take time off to watch a good football game.
I have traveled and moved too many times to count all over the country and some parts of Europe. Despite all the moves, traveling is still one of my favorite things to do.”
Ramona Kaulitzki is a freelance illustrator based in Germany. She specializes in children’s illustration and although works digitally, she also likes to integrate analog mediums into her work. Besides commissioned work, Ramona loves to work on self-initiated projects like fine art series or her own children’s books.