Helen Frost (1) (1949–)

The simple rhyming text in this lovely photographic picture book invites the reader to step gently out into the world, watching carefully for all of the marvelous little creatures that can be seen. From bees to ants, grasshoppers to fireflies, all kinds of wonderful insects (and arachnids!) are depicted in the gorgeous close-up photographs. The book closes with a brief section giving more factual information about each insect or spider that was mentioned...

Published in 2012, Step Gently Out show more was the first of author Helen Frost and photographer Rick Lieder's picture books celebrating the natural world—a collection that would come to be called Step Gently, Look Closely. As it happens, I picked up a subsequent title from this pair, Among a Thousand Fireflies, which was my introduction to their work, and to the collection. I lost no time in seeking out this initial title, and am glad I did. The simple text evokes the wonder and beauty of the natural world and these tiny creatures, while the photographs are just breathtakingly beautiful. I don't read many photographic (as opposed to illustrated) picture books, so these books are something a little different for me, and I will definitely be seeking out more. Recommended to young nature and insect/arachnids lovers, as well as to those seeking photographic picture books. show less

I like how this book presents a nuanced story about the institutionalization of a young deaf boy -- his family weren't allowed to keep him at home, testing for 'teachability' was extremely poor, treatment at the school was horrific, some people got out. The verse is well done -- accessible and flowing. It's also very cool to learn about the effect that conscientious objectors in WWII had on bringing the many shortcomings of institutions to light, and changing them for the better.

I really show more appreciate that Frost treats Henry and his friends as real human beings, as intelligent and able individuals who are stuck in a nightmare of misery. I hate that I should have to commend her for that, as it seems like a baseline, but she does an excellent job. I like that this particular book has a happy ending for some of the children, even though it is based on a more tragic reality. I love that she shares the story and poetry she based this story on -- poems by a young woman whos brother was removed and was never restored. I also like how poverty is highlighted in how it affects what happens to Henry. There's a lot going on, it's a good story about a specific time and place, and it adds to the fiction available about deaf history. That said, it's not written by a person with personal experience with deafness or cerebral palsy or down syndrome and I am not qualified to judge how well she presents characters with those conditions. show less

A firefly alights on a flower one summer night in this lovely photographic picture book, looking for a mate whose flash of lights matches her own pattern. Dozens and then hundreds of flashes go off around her, but she waits until she finds the right one, sending out a responding pattern of flashes once she does. Among a thousand fireflies, these two find one another...

I was transfixed the other night, upon looking out my window after some rain and seeing some fireflies flashing in my back show more yard. It had been a few years since I had seen any (mostly because I don't tend to spend my evenings outdoors), and I was reminded of how enchanting I found these insects as a girl, and how magical their twinkling lights have always seemed to me. It was then that I decided to try to track down some picture books about the subject, requesting this one and a few others from my local library. I wasn't sure what to expect from Among a Thousand Fireflies, as I was unfamiliar with both author Helen Frost and photographer Rick Lieder, but I discovered to my pleasure that the book was quite charming. The text is very simple, with at most a phrase or sentence per two-page spread, and expressively describes the process whereby these two fireflies find one another. More information is given on fireflies in a brief note at the back of the book, but it's clear that this is intended less as an informational book, and more as one which captures and celebrates the wonder of this natural phenomenon. The accompanying photographs are just gorgeous—detailed and beautiful!

I don't encounter very many picture books illustrated with photography, which is probably why this one reminded me of titles like Carl R. Sams & Jean Stoick's First Snow in the Woods: A Photographic Fantasy, and that pair's other books about deer in the woods, which are likewise illustrated with beautiful photographs. Apparently Frost and Lieder have a few more books in this vein themselves, which I might have to track down. In any case, this is one I would recommend to young firefly lovers, and to anyone seeking photographic (rather than illustrated) picture books. show less

in a sentence: A poetic journey through the challenging lives of 7 teenagers.

Coming from a non-poetry fan, this book was incredibly easy to read and follow. Each poem is written by a different teenager (as portrayed by Helen Frost), but they are all connected. They write about their struggles at home, school, and work in a way that is easy to follow and keeps the reader interested and hanging on for more. I was sucked in immediately by the use of language, conversation, and range of emotion show more expressed in the different poems. All of the poems are unique to the teenager's character they express, and is consistent throughout the novel.

The use of the open-ended poem to keep the story moving was interesting at first. I thought I would have a hard time keeping the characters straight and their situations in order, but I had no problem at all. The writing is clear, the poems are excellent, and the emotions expressed through them is awesome. An interesting twist that came twice in the novel were the poems from the parents or concerned adults. Their point of view was presented in poetic form as well, and up to that point the reader had only heard the teen point of view. The author's use of Keesha's house as an image to represent safety and acceptance was interesting, considering from all other viewpoints it would be seen as dangerous (the man who owns the house) and unsafe (teens living alone) and illegal. The author touches on the hardships and different scenarios faced by teens, and the impossible struggle they are asked to face - all while giving them a completely unique voice. show less