Review by Booklist Review
It's evening. Florence, a firefly, looks very sad. Do you think she is lost? Let's see if we can help her find her way home. Attracted by lights, she finds the moon, a lighthouse, and a fast-moving train with shining windows. She wants to follow those pretty lights, and she does, into a city where the many lights are just too bright. Florence takes refuge in a dimly lit park. Are those lights shooting stars? No, they're fireflies! And they lead her back home to her friends. At many points, Clarke's engaging text encourages either verbal or physical interaction with the narrative, enhancing the experience for the reader as well as the children. When Florence wants to follow the train, for example, children are urged to flap your hands to show her how to fly really fast. Teckentrup's digital illustrations shine in several ways, from the eye-catching gleam of yellow lights within landscapes at night to the collage-like use of layers to create the illusion of depth. An enjoyable picture book for reading (and rereading) aloud.--Carolyn Phelan Copyright 2019 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Florence Firefly is lost, and all the bright lights in the night sky--a city's luster, a train's warm glow--make it even harder for her to find her way. With encouraging prompts, this interactive picture book invites readers to help Florence navigate her return home ("Say 'Fly faster, Florence!' and flap your hands to show her how to fly really fast"). Set against inky blue backgrounds, digital illustrations by Teckentrup (Don't Wake Up the Tiger) glow with bright yellow from the various light sources, written lyrically by Clark (Neon Leon) as "the big, bright moon above the sparkling sea" and "a lighthouse shining out to the boats bobbing on the water." With each page turn, this endearing journey offers young readers a chance for active engagement, closing with one final suggested action: "Whisper 'Night, night, Florence!' and blow her a good-night kiss." Ages 2--5. (June)
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Review by School Library Journal Review
PreS-Gr 1--A dark, star-filled night becomes the setting for one firefly's grand adventure. While all of the other fireflies are together in their special home, Florence the firefly is lost and needs to find her way home. On her way, she encounters many bright lights, but none of them are her firefly brethren. Each time she learns that she has been misled and what she thought was her home is something else, her sadness increases. Perhaps a wish on a shooting star will provide her with the guidance she seeks. Readers familiar with the work of Eric Carle will appreciate the similar illustrations in this story. Rich dark blues situate the story squarely in the night, each page punctuated by bright yellows from both human and natural lights. The text is written to encourage reader participation, from greeting Florence, to warning her, to tracing her illuminated trail through the night sky. Though this book stands out due to its willful breaking of the fourth wall to speak directly to readers, the overall package leaves something to be desired. VERDICT A slight, seasonal read-aloud, especially for children who enjoy participatory books.--Mary Lanni, Denver Public Library
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
Florence the firefly is lost. Can "you" help her find her way home?Young readers help guide Florence across the water and into the city, hopping from light source to light source. The text and the art work together to give clues as to what creates each one. Readers can guess along with Florence, then turn the page to find the answer in the sweeping full-page spreads. Is that distant flashing light the other fireflies? No, it's a lighthouse. What about that line of lights that seems to be moving? No, it's a train. The interactive components beg to be read aloud"Say Fly faster, Florence!' and flap your hands to show her how to fly really fast"making it a good choice for group storytimes. Clarke identifies "home" as a "special place," recognizable in Teckentrup's digital illustrations by way of the unique, geometric plant life they flit among. Some resemble grass, some ferns, and others wildflowers that double as little bursts of pale light. The artist's style is collagelike, with textures la Eric Carle and spots of gradient lights. The solid yellow lights pop dramatically against the predominantly dark blue backgrounds. Earth tones and bright shades for the city round out the color scheme, which, along with the ever present star-speckled sky, makes this story equally apt for bedtime reading.A charming, interactive tale that can help young readers engage with readingprobably one that will earn that simple command, "Again!" (Picture book. 3-6) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
