Today I am featuring two more picture books published by Sleeping Bear Press. They're as different as STEM is to wordplay, but remarkably, both feature bugs.
Three years ago I featured Sherry Mary Bestor and Jonny Lambert in their book, Soar High, Dragonfly! Today I'm highlighting another one of their collaborative adventures.
My co-publisher of Talking Story, Mindy Baker, called this informational picture book a fiction/non-fiction hybrid. That's an interesting description. As many STEM picture books do, the layer of text for younger readers shows a firefly's life cycle using simple words and sentence structure. Older readers will appreciate the in-depth sidebar descriptions. The different fonts, sizes, and colors of the words also signal to readers which part of the book is meant for them.
Here is the opening page.
Pitter-patter,
drizzle-drip
Summer rain cools the earth. Bees Buzz. Birds glide.
Notice the simple language and the poetic use of onomatopoeia.
The accompanying illustration shows the beginning of the firefly's life cycle.
On the next page, the sidebar explains bioluminescence and how some species begin to glow before they are hatched.
The life cycle continues as the larva grows and hunts prey by injecting a liquid that keeps snails and slugs from getting away.
Fireflies hibernate,
 |
| "Shedding an outer shell, or exoskeleton, is called molting." |
and transform.
When he is ready...
out he comes.
Oh my! It's a firefly!
Once they launch into the sky, fireflies face predators.
But, they are prepared. Fireflies shed drops of white blood which taste bitter and can be poisonous.
Readers learn how the blinking and twinkling (I love that tall rhyme!)
Thus, the life cycle continues...and the reading begins!
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My 7-year-old granddaughter, Eleanor, reading
to her 2-year-old brother, Caleb. |
I have featured author Sophia Gholz and illustrator Susan Batori on my blog in the past. It's always fun to pick up a book and recognize either the author or illustrator--it's like meeting old friends!
This fun picture book combines early reader phonics instruction with a cute story complete with conflict, humor, and page-turn drama.
The book opens with Pug's "normal."
Pug on a rug,
cozy and snug.
Bug--looking real smug.
That's when trouble begins.
Pug growls and howls.
Bug buzzes and scowls.
Bug tries all sorts of tricks to hold unto his new-found rug. But, its owner is NOT happy.
Fortunately, along comes...
Slug--right under Pug.
Pug slips on Slug,
knocks into Bug.
The three tussle and Slug is stuck in between. He tells it like it is: "You're both being mean."
Pug discovers Bug's backstory and is appropriately contrite. Apologies are given and received. As Bug is about to leave the scene, Slug comes up with a wise solution:
"You've cleared the air,
How 'bout you share?"
In the end, everyone is happy until along comes....
Cat!
****
I've tried to write a phonics-based story, and am very impressed with how Sophia Gholz wrote one that perfectly rhymes and tells an engaging story. The hilarious illustrations by Susan Batori complement the story--young children will love the "bug-eyed" animals. And by the way, the cover and end page drawing tells a story of their own.
GIVEAWAY
I really loved both of these books and wanted to give Light the Sky, Firefly to my grandkids and keep Bug on the Rug as a mentor text. But I know that my readers love winning books. When I discovered that I could take Bug out of my local library, I decided to give it away here.
Leave a comment by October 20 and I'll enter your name to win Bug on the Rug. If you are a follower of my blog, I'll enter your name twice. (If you aren't already a follower and decide to subscribe, then your name will go in the hat three times!). Just let me know what you do in the comments. Please leave your name and email address in the comments if you are new to my blog.
