An Extraordinary Ordinary Moth

by Karlin Gray, Steliyana Doneva (Illustrator)

Feeling quite ordinary, a plain gray moth sadly compares itself to its more exotic kin, such as the Luna Moth, the Spider Moth, and the Hummingbird Moth. And the little moth feels even worse when a young girl sees it and says "Eww!" But things change when her brother explains that this particular type of moth is his favorite kind of insect. Maybe an ordinary moth is really extraordinary after all. Back matter includes fascinating moth facts, along with a special activity.

Genres: Picture Books, Nature, Storytime, Childrens, Nonfiction, Animals, Science

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2018

About the author

Karlin Gray is the author of the picture books NADIA: THE GIRL WHO COULDN’T SIT STILL , AN EXTRAORDINARY ORDINARY MOTH, SERENA: THE LITTLEST SISTER, and ANNE and HER TOWER OF GIRAFFES as well as the graphic novel MIA AND FRIENDS.
Visit her at karlingray.com.

Reviews

[Rebecca Grabill · Rating 5 out of 5]

For an interview with the author and free printable activity pages to accompany the book, visit my blog: www.rebeccagrabill.com/blog/2018/3/5/...

So how did I like An Extraordinary Ordinary Moth? The story offers an inside look into the humble Gray Moth's thoughts as it compares itself to other, flashier moths, only to be shocked and delighted to be a little boy's favorite of all moths! Personally, I like squashed moths best, but I also loved learning about the many varieties, antennae that can smell for miles, scales that protect them from spider's webs. Fascinating stuff! The illustrations were at once fun and beautiful, with bright colors and exciting use of perspective. I did feel like the art and story at points contrasted one another in an unusual way. The writing style is very relaxed, words like blah and cool, colloquial phrasing, but the art at points is layered and complex, swirling water-color backgrounds, abstract wisps and shadows, perhaps too ethereal for the down-to-earth language. Still, it's a delight for the eyes and a fascinating look at the most ordinary of extraordinary creatures, the moth.

[J · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was one of those passing reads for me and so I chose to give it a chance. The book follows along with just a dusty plain looking moth (no species is ever actually named) who doesn't think she is special since unlike some other moths who look cool such as the spider and luna moths or the beautiful butterflies she really doesn't seem to have much to offer.

From there the book goes into a more mild retelling of Aesop's The Stag & His Reflection although in this particular case the moth isn't quite so doomed. Instead the book focuses on how we should view ourselves and others, how we should be willing to be open-minded to learning as well as possibly changing our own views when necessary and being champions for those who may seem a bit on the uninteresting side.

The text within this book is in a bit of a rhyming format so the book itself does make for a quick read and is quite easy to understand for younger readers. Again readers get to meet a few extra moth species in mentioning but it isn't enough to actually write a report on. At the same time the back of the book does include some additional facts of moths plus providing the reader with some different ways of observing moths if they should be interested in doing so.

And finally the best part about this book to me was the illustrations. They are bright, detailed and in some cases quite magical seeming even for a plain little dusty moth. This is very much a nice picture book along with some words to round out the story.

All in all it was a decent story and one that will be an enjoyable read whether you want to enjoy it for pleasure only, use it as a gateway to learning about moths or even possibly use it as a starter to some deeper conversations about any of the lessons provided.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

In rhyming text an ordinary moth compares itself to other, more exotic types of moths, and feels that it comes up short since it is rather bland. But the attentions of a young boy who sees its merits and points out how its physical attributes--scales, its coloring, its antennae--are well suited for the life it leads. Although at first his sister is skeptical, she quickly sees that even this ordinary moth has aspects that make it extraordinary. For naysayers, the author has provided a list of ten interesting facts about moths that will serve to convince even the most skeptical person of how cool this species is. And as is pointed out several times, moths are NOT bugs. There is also an activity that allows youngsters to observe moths and appreciate them more. The colorful illustrations in this book are stunning and sumptuous, and readers can feel how inferior the moth considers itself to be when arrayed against all that natural splendor. Obviously, there is a great lesson here for youngsters who consider themselves to be drab and ordinary. Maybe young readers will start to see beauty in the world around them and look more closely after reading this picture book.

[Christy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Feeling quite ordinary, a plain gray moth sadly compares itself to its more exotic kin, such as the Luna Moth, the Spider Moth, and the Hummingbird Moth. And the little moth feels even worse when a young girl sees it and says "Eww!" But things change when her brother explains that this particular type of moth is his favorite kind of insect. Maybe an ordinary moth is really extraordinary after all. Back matter includes fascinating moth facts, along with a special activity.

[Debyi Kucera (Book&BuJo) · Rating 3 out of 5]

So cute and such a good message. The artwork is beautiful.

[Roberta Decenzo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute story about how extraordinary ordinary can be. Illustrations are beautiful!

[Jennifer Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Always good to have a rhyming book for pre-readers/early readers. Bonus is that my kids love books about insects.

[Lindsey · Rating 3 out of 5]

A sweet rhyming ode to one of nature's unsung heroes (and one of my favorite insects): the humble gray moth.

[Brooke Gilley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a naturalist at a nature center and I used this book for a program on moths in honor of National Moth Week in July. It is wonderfully written!

[Siskiyou-Suzy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very cute story! At the end of the week, our kiddos were asked which bug they'd like to have as a pet, and one girl said a moth! I think it'd because of this story.

[Abbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute. Good basic moth info and sweet story.

[Peacegal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very cool, rhyming book that finds the extraordinary in the ordinary. It's always nice to see a book that encourages kids to get outside and observe the world around them, and be kind and appreciative of even the most humble creatures.

[Liz H {Redd's Reads} · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adorably cute story with gorgeous illustrations that presents facts about moths.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is beauty everywhere if you only open your eyes and look.

[Sylvia · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely story about an ordinary gray moth who wonders what makes him special as he compares himself to more flamboyant and interesting moth species. Told in rhyme and illustrated in soft, colorful illustrations, this story provides scientific facts about moths as well as a nice message about finding the extraordinary in the supposedly ordinary.

[Carol Baldwin]

In another lovely nature picture book, Author Karlin Gray and illustrator Steliyana Doneva, team up to bring young readers a story in rhyme celebrating an ordinary moth (Sleeping Bear Press, 2018).

Although the moth feels like it's not as massive as an Atlas moth, as beautiful as a butterfly, or as graceful as a Luna Moth, a young boy is delighted when he finds it:

"A moth! A moth!"
a boy then screams.
He's running up to me.
I freeze and blend in with the wall.
Maybe he won't see.

But when his twinkling eyes shine bright...
his smile grows wide with pure delight...
His happy face is such a sight...
I move forward toward his joyful light.

I enjoyed the moth's "metamorphoses" at the end -- not into another insect-- but rather into an appreciation of itself. This last poem reminds me of Miriam Franklin's debut novel, EXTRAORDINARY.

So how 'bout that?!
I'm someone's FAVORITE!
Little, grayish me--
proof of how
EXTRAORDINARY
Ordinary can be.

[Juniper Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is so pretty! I loved reading about the different kinds of moths, and seeing their beautiful designs and descriptions in the back. I liked the poetic structure of the book too, I think it flowed very nicely.

[Briana · Rating 4 out of 5]

So cute

[Kaylynn Johnsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a wonderfully lyrical story about moths. Informative and entertaining.

[Cindy Mitchell *Kiss the Book* · Rating 3 out of 5]

An Extraordinary Ordinary Moth by Karlin Gray, illustrated by Steliyana Doneva. PICTURE BOOK/NON-FICTION Sleeping Bear Press, 2018. $17. 9781585363728

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) – OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

A plain brown moth is lamenting how he is not as extraordinary as other moths and even butterflies. But when a little boy picks him up and points out all the moth’s characteristics to his little sister, the plain moth starts to see how extraordinary he is. The little boy explains how the brown moth has scales (not dirt), amazing antenna and great camouflage. Eventually the little boy has convinced his sister and the moth how extraordinary an ordinary moth can be.

This is a simple introductory look at moths. The illustrations are appealing, but the text is written in a curvy font that younger readers might struggle with. I enjoyed the cool facts about moths, especially at the end, but I don’t think this book has much appeal .

C. Peterson
https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2018...

[Bethe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bookaday #41. A plain gray moth narrates facts about his life in rhyming text, some of which flows smoothly, other parts not so well. Back matter consists of an observation activity and 10 moth facts with sources for each.

[Elizabeth Shultz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is beautifully illustrated. In addition to being educational about moths, it also is a book about learning to appreciate “ordinary” things. I appreciated that the back of the book included moth facts and a moth activity.

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

Liked but not loved. The meter wasn't always as crisp as I would like, and the message seemed a little too obvious at times.

[Lindsay Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect non-fiction story teaching children about moths. I will be using this in a bug themed storytime.