Books.org participates in affiliate programs including Bookshop.org and the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. We may earn a commission from qualifying purchases made through links on this page, at no additional cost to you.
Overview
The most colorful wings on the pond belong to the nimble dragonfly, but this delicate flying insect didn't begin life in the air. The secrets of metamorphosis are unfurled in this story of the life of a familiar backyard creature.
Synopsis
The most colorful wings on the pond belong to the nimble dragonfly, but this delicate flying insect didn't begin life in the air. The secrets of metamorphosis are unfurled in this story of the life of a familiar backyard creature.
Nancy Garhan Attebury - Children's Literature
Utilizing an interesting format, Allen presents a unique way for readers to actually learn about the featured creature. The text tells what you would do and how you would look if you were a dragonfly. This notion of asking the child, "Are you a dragonfly?" and then describing how her or she would act as a dragonfly allows the child to almost become a part of the text. What better way for the reader to learn about dragonflys? With this slick format, the reader immediately discovers how a dragonfly lays eggs, how a newborn looks, how it eats, creeps, breathes, sheds skin, and, at age two, finally flies. Well-placed soft toned illustrations enhance the text and follow every step of the dragonfly's life. At the end of the book, the point of view shifts as three youngsters stare into a pond. The text says if you look like this, "you are not a dragonfly. You are... a human child." This ploy brings the child back to the present. A two-page spread follows with more facts about dragonflies. Over all, this is a delightful way to introduce readers to a dragonfly. It is part of the "Backyard Books" series. 2004 (orig. 2001), Kingfisher/Houghton Mifflin, Ages 4 to 8.
Editorials
Children's Literature
Utilizing an interesting format, Allen presents a unique way for readers to actually learn about the featured creature. The text tells what you would do and how you would look if you were a dragonfly. This notion of asking the child, "Are you a dragonfly?" and then describing how her or she would act as a dragonfly allows the child to almost become a part of the text. What better way for the reader to learn about dragonflys? With this slick format, the reader immediately discovers how a dragonfly lays eggs, how a newborn looks, how it eats, creeps, breathes, sheds skin, and, at age two, finally flies. Well-placed soft toned illustrations enhance the text and follow every step of the dragonfly's life. At the end of the book, the point of view shifts as three youngsters stare into a pond. The text says if you look like this, "you are not a dragonfly. You are... a human child." This ploy brings the child back to the present. A two-page spread follows with more facts about dragonflies. Over all, this is a delightful way to introduce readers to a dragonfly. It is part of the "Backyard Books" series. 2004 (orig. 2001), Kingfisher/Houghton Mifflin, Ages 4 to 8.—Nancy Garhan Attebury