Fireflies (Reading Rainbow) Summary and Reviews

Fireflies (Reading Rainbow)
by Julie Brinckloe

Fireflies (Reading Rainbow)
List Price: $5.99
Category: Book
See more book details and other editions

Book Summary Information

Author: Julie Brinckloe
Illustrator: Julie Brinckloe
Edition: Paperback
Audio: English (Original Language); English (Unknown); English (Published)
Published: 1986-05-31
ISBN: 0689710550
Number of pages: 32
Reading Level: Baby-Preschool
Publisher: Aladdin
Product features:

Book Reviews of Fireflies (Reading Rainbow)

Book Review: Lyrical, emotive
Summary: 4 Stars

In print since 1985, Julie Brinckloe's Fireflies - selected as a Reading Rainbow book - has found a comfortable, ongoing status as a minor classic of modern children's literature. Having far outlasted the glut of flash-in-the-pan picture books found in any recent decade, Brinckloe's snapshot of one summer evening filled with wide-eyed wonder and discovery clings to its status as a solid library add.

Both illustrated and authored by Brinckloe, Fireflies spins an enchantingly evocative story that vividly portrays the emotional tenor of summer evenings spent catching fireflies, and glorying in the wonders of nature. From the thrill of anticipation, to the joy of the chase, the glow of possession, and the bittersweet compassion of release, Brickloe's carefully developed prose rings true.

Illustrated with action-filled pencil drawings filled with feathery texture, the only glimpses of colour Brinckloe adds from her palette are blue and yellow watercolours, sparingly used for accentuation. Undeniably lovely, these understated illustrations may not be appreciated by young audiences if there only exposure to picture books has been the blaringly bright, cartoonish, or hard-edged illustrations that are so dominant in today's picture books.

Proving itself a well-written title, my six and three-year-olds were drawn into the story the first read through. They immediately settled as I read, and listened intently to the lyrical story of a boy who captures an entire jar of fireflies, only to release them reluctantly as they fade on his night table. Though they asked for a repeat reading as soon as I finished, Fireflies doesn't seem to have made a deep impression on my children so far. When I asked my oldest for her thoughts she was distinctly neutral in her opinion. Perhaps additional repeated readings will awaken a deeper appreciation for the book in her; she still seemed somewhat confused as to the boy's mixed emotions at the end of the story.

Parents of children who use scissors inappropriately may want to note a scene wherein the main character uses his mother's scissors to punch holes in the lid of the jar he'll use to catch his fireflies in. Knowing of his mother's displeasure should she learn of his unauthorized scissors use, he acts stealthily and without permission. Having found my own children cutting (and consequently destroying) a wide variety of household items, this page made me groan and quickly add a warning to my own youngsters. If their misdemeanors have taught me anything (other than hide the scissors up high), it's that the boy in question is acting in an entirely believable fashion.

Nostalgia for adults, familiarity for children, and the emotive flowing quality of Brinckloe's work are clearly the winning ingredients that have allowed Fireflies to withstand the test of time. Having lived too far to the west to have grown up with chances to catch fireflies for myself as a child I now feel a vague sense of regret for having missed out on what is clearly a quintessential experience in the lives of many youngsters.

Children's Books

Book Subjects
Most talked about in 1st Grade - Additional Explicit Information Books
The Very Busy Spider ImageThe Very Busy Spider
by Eric Carle
INGRAM BOOK & DISTRIBUTOR; Philomel; Published: 1985-03-06; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $4.45
Price in other shops: $21.99
The Very Hungry Caterpillar ImageThe Very Hungry Caterpillar
by Eric Carle
INGRAM BOOK & DISTRIBUTOR; Philomel; Published: 1981-10-15; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $7.49
Price in other shops: $21.99
The Very Clumsy Click Beetle (Eric Carle's Very Series) ImageThe Very Clumsy Click Beetle (Eric Carle's Very Series)
by Eric Carle
INGRAM BOOK & DISTRIBUTOR; Philomel; Published: 1999-09-13; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $8.74
Price in other shops: $22.99
The Very Quiet Cricket ImageThe Very Quiet Cricket
by Eric Carle
INGRAM BOOK & DISTRIBUTOR; Philomel; Published: 1990-11-09; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $12.45
Price in other shops: $22.99
The Very Lonely Firefly ImageThe Very Lonely Firefly
by Eric Carle
Philomel; Published: 1995-06-01; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $12.46
Price in other shops: $22.99
Fireflies (Reading Rainbow) ImageFireflies (Reading Rainbow)
by Julie Brinckloe
Aladdin; Published: 1986-05-31; Paperback; Book
Best price: $2.45
Price in other shops: $5.99
Digging Up Dinosaurs (Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science 2) ImageDigging Up Dinosaurs (Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science 2)
by Aliki
Collins; Published: 1988-10-05; Paperback; Book
Best price: $2.54
Price in other shops: $5.99
How Kittens Grow (Read With Me) ImageHow Kittens Grow (Read With Me)
by Millicent E Selsam
Scholastic Inc.; Published: 1992-11-01; Paperback; Book
Best price: $3.48
Price in other shops: $3.50
Similar books summaries and other product reviews
An Angel For Solomon Singer ImageAn Angel For Solomon Singer
by Cynthia Rylant
Scholastic; Published: 1996-09-01; Paperback; Book
Best price: $3.23
Price in other shops: $6.99
Peter's Chair ImagePeter's Chair
by Ezra Jack Keats
Viking Juvenile; Published: 1998-08-01; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $9.47
Price in other shops: $15.99
The Relatives Came ImageThe Relatives Came
by Cynthia Rylant
Aladdin; Published: 1993-07-31; Paperback; Book
Best price: $3.00
Price in other shops: $7.99
Paperboy ImagePaperboy
by Dav Pilkey
Scholastic Inc.; Published: 1999-09-01; Paperback; Book
Best price: $3.64
Price in other shops: $6.99
When I Was Young in the Mountains (Reading Rainbow Books) ImageWhen I Was Young in the Mountains (Reading Rainbow Books)
by Cynthia Rylant
Puffin; Published: 1993-01-01; Paperback; Book
Best price: $2.98
Price in other shops: $6.99
Oliver Button Is a Sissy ImageOliver Button Is a Sissy
by Tomie dePaola
Sandpiper; Published: 1979-05-30; Paperback; Book
Best price: $3.16
Price in other shops: $7.00
Fly Away Home ImageFly Away Home
by Eve Bunting
Sandpiper; Published: 1993-03-22; Paperback; Book
Best price: $2.25
Price in other shops: $6.99
Night in the Country ImageNight in the Country
by Cynthia Rylant
Atheneum; Published: 1991-03-31; Paperback; Book
Best price: $2.25
Price in other shops: $6.99
Bigmama's ImageBigmama's
by Donald Crews
Greenwillow Books; Published: 1998-01-21; Paperback; Book
Best price: $3.66
Price in other shops: $6.99
Shortcut ImageShortcut
by Donald Crews
Greenwillow Books; Published: 1996-09-20; Paperback; Book
Best price: $3.55
Price in other shops: $6.99