A Book of Flies Real or Otherwise

by Richard Michelson

If an insect can fly, we might think it's a fly and call it a fly, but can it join the club Diptera? That club (scientists call it an "order") is reserved for real flies only-to join, an insect must have six legs and two wings. There are close to 90,000 species of flies. In the witty poems and paragraphs of this enlightening book, you'll discover fantastic flies that exist only in the imagination and fascinating facts about nine real files-and even some non-flies you thought were flies! With a humorous and descriptive mix of poetry and prose, the author exposes several extraordinary variations of this ordinary household pest. Realistic and interpretive drawings mingle on the pages to depict the types of flies you might encounter. It's something to think about the next time you go to swat a fly! New York Public Library's 1999 "Best Children's Books for Reading and Sharing."

Genres: Poetry

56 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 1999

Reviews

[Heather Ligman · Rating 4 out of 5]

funny poes about the various flies. the poems do contain factual information. I found the poems very entertaining. the first poem starts:
fruit fly
if flies tasted like chocolate pies
I wouldn't feel so nauseous.
I have a hunch
next time I lunch
I'll be a bit more cautious.
'cause I just ate a fruit fly
that was swimming in my cup.
I took a drink
and now I think
I'm going to throw up.

kids will love this somewhat naughty book. it is very cute!