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36th out of 174 books
—
122 voters
The Very Lonely Firefly
by
Eric Carle
When a very lonely firefly goes out into the night searching for other fireflies, it sees a lantern, a candle, and the eyes of a dog, cat, and owl all glowing in the darkness. It even sees a surprise celebration of light. But it is not until it discovers other fireflies that it finds exactly what it's looking for.
Read it with a flashlight in the dark or under the table--an...more
Read it with a flashlight in the dark or under the table--an...more
Hardcover, 32 pages
Published
June 1st 1995
by Philomel
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I liked this book. It starts out with a lonely firefly. He kept seeing lights in the sky but every time he went to inspect it, it was something else. In the first it was a light bulb, then a candle, then a flashlight, then a lamp, then the eyes of a dog, a cat and an owl and even fireworks. Still couldn't find other fireflies like him. It ended with the firefly finally finding other fireflies. I know if the end the fireflies were supposed to light up when the book was opened to the last page but...more
Well, I've seen the back of this book before, but hadn't read it. So, I decided to read it. I like that there is a "story-arc" going on as the firefly searches for other fireflies. And as I like fireflies, the subject of the book got to me. And I always admire Carle's illustrations. But I'll admit that I'm not in love with most of his books. They're standards, yes. But not my favorites.
But who can not like blinking fireflies at the end?!
And in honor, here was the song we women sang in Sound of A...more
But who can not like blinking fireflies at the end?!
And in honor, here was the song we women sang in Sound of A...more
Summary: The Very Lonely Firefly is a story about a little firefly that was just born and is searching for other fireflies. The little firefly keeps seeing lights, but they end up not being other fireflies. Instead, they are flashlights, fireworks, candles, lanterns, and etc. At the end, the little firefly finally finds other fireflies and he is not lonely anymore. This is a story that children will enjoy and remember for years to come!
Author and Illustrator: Eric Carle
Audience: K-1st
Genre: Fict...more
Eric Carle writes a tale about a firefly who is bound and determined to see the whole world for himself. However, there is a big problem--this firefly is lonely, and doesn't think it will be too great to tour the world alone. So, as the firefly is traveling, he stops and recruits friends on the way (different groups of animals). Once the firefly isn't so lonely anymore with his travel companions, he sets off on his journey to see the world. However, the animals begin to have second thoughts abou...more
PB16: I love Eric Carle picturebooks. I love how his illustrations are different than most other illustrators. I am not sure exactly what he does but the pictures appear to be collages, and they are rough pictures, the lines aren't always straight, faces tend to be boxy, but they work for this book. I also like the use of dark and light; the background is dark because of the night and you can always find the firefly because of his little light. The best part of this book, without question, is th...more
This book is full of repetition. This would be a good science lesson book. You could teach children the different light sources. There are similarities in this book; the firefly was trying to find another firefly but found different light sources instead. Emotions are another concept from the book, all the firefly wanted to do was try to find other firefly's to fly with.
Learning Experience:
In this learning experience the kids would be put in groups of two. I would bring in flash lights and turn...more
Learning Experience:
In this learning experience the kids would be put in groups of two. I would bring in flash lights and turn...more
This book in the quartet featuring respectively, a hungry caterpillar, a busy spider, and a q1uiet cricket, has its own unique contribution -- a light-up page at the end.
Prior to that, a young reader is kept busy wondering what each light is. Does the reader guess lightbulb? Candle? Flashlight? Eyes of dog, cat owl? A car's headlights? Fireworks?
A parent reading this book to a young child can use the opportunity to engage the child in questions/answers and wonderful parental/child dialogue.
...more
Prior to that, a young reader is kept busy wondering what each light is. Does the reader guess lightbulb? Candle? Flashlight? Eyes of dog, cat owl? A car's headlights? Fireworks?
A parent reading this book to a young child can use the opportunity to engage the child in questions/answers and wonderful parental/child dialogue.
...more
Sep 22, 2011
Jennesy
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Shelves:
adventure,
ambition,
animal,
contemporary,
determination,
early-read,
fictional,
friendship,
moral,
picture-book,
predictable,
relatable,
self-esteem,
suspenseful,
colors
The Very Lonely Firefly is lost and looking for its way. It seems like an eternity until he finally finds his other firefly friends. This book is great for early readers and young children because it has colors, its predictable, it has animals, its relatable, etc. Several children can relate to this book because we are all lost and looking for our way at some point in time and we all eventually find it, just like firefly.
PB 6: I like some Eric Carle books, but I was not a big fan of this one. I really loved how the back page lit up, and I know kids will love that, but I didn't enjoy the illustrations of the characters. The firefly seemed almost creepy. And I understand that it's night-time, but the whole book was very dark which made it seem kind of sad. I wasn't very happy reading it because of the dark backgrounds.
When a very lonely firefly goes out into the night searching for other fireflies, it sees a lantern, a candle, and the eyes of a dog, cat, and owl all glowing in the darkness. It even sees a surprise celebration of light. But it is not until it discovers other fireflies that it finds exactly what it's looking for. Finding others that are alike and different to fit in and belong as a group or classroom.
It's really scary to be lost or should I say, it is really difficult to be in a place or people whom you just can't fit in. In the long the run, your peace relies on your family. After all, they are the only ones who can accept you for who you are. Hahaha! I am putting too much symbolism on Eric Carl's book. It's just a story of a firefly looking for his light or co-fireflies :D Plus I love fireflies because they are magnificent at night. I would lie awake at night for hours just staring at them...more
I love Eric Carle books and the Very Lonely Firefly is one of my favorites! After the firefly is first born, his natural instinct is to find other fireflies. He is mistaken by other lights on his journey yet eventually finds others and is happy. This shows how we need love and can appreciate our friends in a fun and easy to understand way most appropriate for kindergarten or first grade.
A lonely firefly struggled while trying to find other fireflies :(
The firefly was determined to find the others, but kept coming across other lights that appeared to be the others, but when he came to the light it kept being different things.
The firefly was so determined, he kept looking until he finally found them! Great book to teach about the feeling of lonlieness.
The firefly was determined to find the others, but kept coming across other lights that appeared to be the others, but when he came to the light it kept being different things.
The firefly was so determined, he kept looking until he finally found them! Great book to teach about the feeling of lonlieness.
I loved the repetition in this book with "The firefly saw a light and flew toward it." I got the participation version from the library that was supposed to light up at the end, however, I got this from the library, so the lights were all worn out unfortunately. But I think that would make for a great, happy surprise at the end when the firefly finds his friends.
Charming, beautiful clear and clean illustrations. Illustrations fill pages, catching the eye with bright and vivid colors until finally, we see all of the blinking lights...
Can be used to teach:
unit on friendship
unit on fireflies
predictions
setting/theme
character analysis
shapes/colors/patterns
vocabulary
adjectives
create class book
Can be used to teach:
unit on friendship
unit on fireflies
predictions
setting/theme
character analysis
shapes/colors/patterns
vocabulary
adjectives
create class book
The very lonely firefly hatches one evening and immediately goes out to search for other fireflies. Along the way, the firefly finds other light sources that takes him on a journey where he is no longer a lonely firefly. The last page was a nice surprise for my little one and of course she loves Eric Carle's signature illustration style.
Currently, my daughter demands that we read this to her at least six times a day (I'm not kidding). It's the same Carle fomula (repetitve with different things mentioned on each page). Yet, it's the twinkling fireflies at the end of the book that make it fun. Plus, I dare you not to love the two page fireworks spread. Gorgeous artwork!
This book is repetitive and predictable. This story tells about wanting to belong and find others just like himself. The firefly looks for other fireflies and along his journey he finds comparisons to things that light up. The beginning of book, the author gives facts about fireflies. This book is part of Eric Carles Very series.
This book is great for students that feel left out or able to relate to other people. This book helps students understand that it may take practice and time to find your place and to love what you are. This book can be read to students with the lights off and a flashlight. This book can be read to Pre -K - 2nd grade.
PB:13 The Very Lonely Firefly. One of best drawn picturebooks comes too life when a lonely little firefly finds what he has been searching for for awhile. The ending of the book is special and every child's eyes will "light up" when they see what the firefly finds. I love the use of colors throughout the story!
I loved The Very Hungry Caterpillar as a kid, so when I found The Very Lonely Firefly at the library, I had to check it out for my youngest. He loved it! He made me read multiple times before I had to return it to the library and there was such a lovely surprise at the end. A definite great bedtime book for any child.
Apr 11, 2012
Lucero Hernandez
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Shelves:
1st-grade,
k-1st-grade,
kindergarten,
nature,
science,
belonging,
predicting,
setting,
repetition,
happy-endings,
art,
bedtime-story,
animals
A lonely firefly sets out to find other fireflies. Along his journey he sees other lights and thinks that they could be other fireflies; they are just lighting objects. Many children feel the need to fit in and be like others. This is a great book for children to relate to. The book can be used for prediction, and for setting. The pictures are very colorful.
The very lonely firefly goes around trying to find his friends. He ends up on an adventure finding all kinds of different things that light up the night. I learned this book is about belonging, which makes sense. All the lonely firefly wants to do is find friends just like him. In the end he does just this.
This is another wonderfully illustrated Eric Carle book. My kindergarten students enjoyed it. The book is about a firefly looking for other fireflies. It follows lights it sees (i.e. flashlights, light bulbs, head lights, candles, etc.) It finally finds other fireflies flashing their light to fly with.
This is my least favorite Eric Carle book. I know when I was little, I would have been distraught that the firefly was lonely for the greater part of the book. Also, the people and animals he comes across are rather frightening! It didn't have the soft, comforting feel of Carle's other picture books.
Another cute book from Eric Carle. While we did enjoy the story and facts about the firefly, I have to say it wasn't our favorite from the series. Definitely worth the read and sharing with one's children but both my dd's and I preferred the Very Hungry Caterpillar and The Very Quiet Cricket.
A firefly is born, lights his light, and goes on the search for other fireflies. However, he runs into many different things before reaching more of his kind.
Love the brush strokes of the illustrations. Also, the back cover has lights that glow--neat feature for younger kiddos.
Love the brush strokes of the illustrations. Also, the back cover has lights that glow--neat feature for younger kiddos.
i enjoy the primary storyline of this book but not the "bubbles from the mouth" storyline which i think would only cause confusion during audience sharing. while it's rare to find a library copy with the ending intact but when viewed following the fireworks, it's a wonderful treat!
I loved how this book showed the dragonfly never giving up. He was disappointed several times but he continued to find what he was looking for. I would use this with my students to encourage them to keep trying hard at their school work and eventually they will succeed.
The little lonely firefly sets out to find other fireflies. Everytime he sees a flicker of light he goes towards it to be disappointed. He never gives up. And in the midst of the night once everything is quiet, he finally finds many fireflies And no longer lonely.
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Eric Carle (born June 25, 1929) is a children's book author and illustrator, most famous for his book The Very Hungry Caterpillar, which has been translated into over 30 languages. Since The Very Hungry Caterpillar was published in 1969, Eric Carle has illustrated more than seventy books, many best sellers, most of which he also wrote, and more than 71 million copies of his books have sold around...more
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