The Very Lonely Firefly

This is one of my favorite Eric Carle books. Being a Southerner, fireflies.....or lightening bugs.....are a magical part of every child's summer. I love the storyline Carle chose for this one. The reader and/listener is drawn in and eagerly anticipates finding the conclusion....what is causing the commotion the family is excitedly tracking??! The little firefly is coaxed along by the numerous light sources the family creates along the way. The fact that this book actually lights up is an extra special treat that children love!

The firefly flickers his light, hoping to see another. He sees different lights and goes to them, but they are lamps, candles, headlights, or other lights. None of them are other fireflies. Until, at last, the firefly sees a bunch of lights flickering, and when he goes up to them, they are a group of other fireflies! The lonely firefly has found others like him and is no longer lonely.

This book covers the topic of companionship. The firefly just wants to find other fireflies like him and is disappointed and lonely each time he has false hope. I think that this is a metaphor that kids can understand for a lonely person looking for friends. The illustrations are really cool in this book. The backgrounds are dark colors with the different show more things that the firefly is looking at standing out, especially the part that is lit up. Kids can learn about fireflies, as well as companionship in this book. show less

I liked this book for a couple of reasons. First, the illustrations really enhance the story. Like most Eric Carle illustrations this book is vibrant and colorful mixed with a variety of interesting textures. For example, the very last page has many fireflies all together. The night sky is a mixture of black, blue and indigo. The fireflies are even lighting up! I found this interesting because its really draws the readers attention.
Another reason I liked this book was the fast paced plot of the story. The lonely firefly starts out alone and then follows different lights where he encounters, a dog, a cat, an owl, and even fireworks. This series of adventures finally leads him to the light he was looking for, which was other fireflies. show more
The big idea of this story is finding friends. The lonely firefly looks all night until he is finally reunited with his friends and is no longer lonely anymore. show less

"The Very Lonely Firefly" is a great addition to Eric Carle's collection of books. It deals with the issue of finding a place to belong and wanting to belong to something. Well written, "The Very Lonely Firefly" is engaging as a lonely firefly searches for other fireflies to be with. After mistaking several other light sources (i.e. a lightbulb, candle, flashlight, fireworks, lantern, etc.) as other fireflies, the lonely firefly finally finds what he is looking for - a group of fireflies flying around together. Eric Carle's collage work is incredible and the images are bright and vibrant.

#1467 in our old book database. Rated: Indifferent

A firefly looks for fellow fireflies but keeps getting misled by other lights in the night. Meanwhile a family rushes out to see surprise fireworks.

Wake me when it's over . . .

Side note: Our copy came with an electronic component that lights up the last page, but the battery has died in the two decades since we bought the book. As I recall, the effect is not worth the price of new batteries.

My favorite types of books are about life lessons that can be applied to every day life! This book was no exception to this. The story begins with the introduction of a lonely firefly longing to find its friends and a place where it belongs. Throughout the story he encounters a variety of scary situation, but through determination he finally finds where he belongs. This story is a great lesson for children to learn to never give up on themselves and that they will find who they are as they experience life.
I enjoyed the layout and the pictures throughout the story as both were fun and engaging, especially with descriptions such as "an owl,their eyes reflecting the lights."
I would recommend this book to anyone who would like a fun and show more easy read, but would also like a lesson in never giving up and showing self determination! We all have our own place in this world and the lonely firefly finds his in the end. show less

Genre: Fantasy
Reading level: K-2
Summary:
A firefly is born as the sun sets but he was all alone. So he shone his little light and set off to find someone else like him. He finds lights all over from cars and house lights, even to animal’s eyes but none are like him. All of the things that he finds are scary and new. The lonely firefly finally finds things that look like him and he is no longer lonely.
Commentary:
In this short book, the students will find out that even the fireflies belong in groups. This opens the door for discussions that most insects are in areas where there are others like them. It also tells the students that even when there seems to be no one else like themselves, there is always somewhere they belong.