How to Ride a Dragonfly

by Kitty Donohoe, Anne Wilsdorf (Illustrations)

Like a laugh-out-loud spin on Thumbelina, this whimsical, beautifully illustrated picture book stars an adventurous little girl who shrinks down to the size of a bug and takes a tour of the swamp on a dragonfly's back.

Have you ever wanted to ride a dragonfly? Well, there’s one problem… You’re too big! But if you follow these simple steps, you'll be sure to have a fantastic
Oh, dear! The sun is almost touching the mountains. Can you and Priscilla zip back in time before sunset?

With a delightfully funny text by an elementary school teacher and deliciously playful artwork by a beloved illustrator, here is the perfect picture book for any child in search of adventure!

Genres: Picture Books, Adventure, Fantasy, Childrens, Animals

40 pages, Hardcover

Published May 23, 2023

Reviews

[mac · Rating 5 out of 5]

reading so many children's books right now.. nanny things

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although I had never wanted to ride a dragonfly before reading this charming picture book, after finishing it, I can certainly see the attraction of doing so. But anyone who decides to take to the skies on such a winged creature needs to be sure to come back home before the sun sets and take that rose petal out of their pocket. Accompanied by watercolor and ink illustrations with expressive facial expressions and movements, the picture book provides readers with the steps in riding a dragonfly, starting with a rose petal and shrinking. The look of surprise on the face of the protagonist's cat when that happens is priceless. Once she finds and mounts a dragonfly, the girl engages in various adventures, meets the Queen Bee, offends a fairy, faces her possible demise at the hands of a hungry frog, and listens to a band consisting of beetles before returning home just in time so that she isn't stuck being small forever. The text and artwork really build the suspense in this story, and young readers can't be blamed for thinking that such an adventure could actually happen.

[Patrick J · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a treasure of imaginative writing and complementary illustrations that portray the Lilliputian world of insects and fairies as an adventurous little girl dares to enter their riverbank realm on the back of a lassoed dragonfly. The writer and illustrator capture the delights, the drama, and the dangers of the madcap foray into the arcane world of jousting bees, temperamental fairies, and boisterous beetles.
This immersive story, with imbedded facts and fanciful customs of the characters, is sure to engage the young reader while engendering a fascination with our natural world.

[Mary Ellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

How to Ride a Dragonfly is a story of a very adventurous little girl who finds a way to visit a magical world of fairies, dancing beetles, and jousting bumblebees. You will laugh with her, fly with her, and some times worry with her; will she find her way back home?

This book is for any child who would like to fly, or one who would like to slip into a world of magical beings or even someone who would like to go to a rocking beetle dance. I would recommend this book to children between the ages of 4 through 8.

[Homi Hormasji · Rating 5 out of 5]

This delightfully written and beautifully illustrated picture book is sure to delight the children who read it or to whom it is read. Just watch their faces light up with joy as they lose themselves in this magical adventure and ride along with Priscilla, the dragonfly, to joust with bees and have tea with fairies.

Like the best of literature for children, “How to Ride a Dragonfly” will open their minds to the majesty of the world, while filling their hearts with joy.

[Moira Donohoe · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is one of the most delightful I have ever had the pleasure reading. It transports one back to the whimsical world of children, and of being a child. Of course having a favorite child to share the charming story with makes it even more fun. The writing and illustrations complement one another. It’s magical! Perfect for gifting a child or adult who enjoys a fanciful flight into nature and fairies and adventure, with just the right element of suspense. I loved it and you will too.

[Mandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Picture book, fantasy. A young girl finds a rose petal, puts it in her pocket at sunrise, and shrinks to the size of the insects around her. She lassoes a dragonfly, fights a bee (not sure why, but luckily doesn't hurt it), lunches with fairies, escapes a frog, and more before rushing to get back to the riverbank by sunset. The watercolor illustrations are a great match for this whimsical story. I don't recall reading much fantasy in the picture book world recently, so this was a fun ride.

[Jocelyn Boop]

Why I chose this book:
I chose this book because it tells the story of a young girl using her imagination to go on an adventure with a dragonfly.

What I liked about the book:
I liked the book because the students would be very interested in the colorful illustrations that add to the story.

How I would use this book in a future classroom:
I would use this book to read out loud during quiet time when the students come in from lunch recess

[Sophie Hamann · Rating 5 out of 5]

A whimsical adventure for any nature lover! As an adult who enjoys fantasy and loves the natural world, I would happily share this beautiful written and illustrated story with my nieces and nephews. It’s a reminder to us all to appreciate the little things and look closer at what thrives beneath our feet.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Sheri · Rating 4 out of 5]

An imaginative tale about a child wanting to ride a dragonfly and shrinking to do it. Each step to get to the ride is explained and the imaginative story is fun to imagine as she fights a bee and meets the queen bee. Lots of imaginative play in this story.

[Villain E · Rating 3 out of 5]

A child magically shrinks down to ride a dragonfly and have other fanciful adventures. Told in second person. I appreciate that the spell to shrink isn't dangerous if a young reader chooses to imitate it.

[Caroline · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is a long standing tradition of tiny people in children's lit, for good reason. It works. It's fun, it's charming, it's delightful. This book is no exception. It's fun, it's charming, it's delightful. The illustrations, all watercolor and line art, are soothing and just fantastical enough.

[Read Ribbet · Rating 4 out of 5]

In Donahoe's fantasy tale, a young girl imagines a ride on dragonfly and makes it come true by shrinking down. The reader takes the journey through a smaller view of the world and enjoys the adventures along the way.

[Amelia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute concept, but I’m not a fan of the illustrations. They make the tone seem a little off and are kind of dated. Could benefit from different illustrations and less words.

[Danielle Davis]

We found this book as an ebook to check out while on vacation and we loved reading it together as we were vacationing at a river. So excited to make plans to turn small together.

[Ava F · Rating 5 out of 5]

Learn how to ride a firefly in just 4 easy steps! This is such a fun picture book with lots of nice and colorful pictures!

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Found in L4L Volume 82.

[Elaine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute story. Beautiful bright colorful illustrations!

[Chrissy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Storytime Themes: Bugs, Adventure, Fantasy

*Consider for the next Beehive Award Long List*

[Liz Todd · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet!

[Panda Incognito · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is very cute and fantastical, and although it won't appeal to everyone, it will be perfect for kids and adults who like to imagine exploring the world in miniature and interacting with dragonflies, other insects, and fairies. There are also a few suspenseful moments without the book being too scary.