Review: Charming, fun, read-aloud book for bedtime, with great extra features
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 08 31, 2012
Author Lily Lexington does it again with this book.  I'm thrilled to find an author who really understands the read-aloud needs of parents, teachers, and librarians.For many children, the only "fun" poetry they hear is at Christmas when a parent or teacher reads "The Night Before Christmas."  (Lucky children are introduced to Dr. Seuss as well, though that rhyming is sometimes lost in the silly fun of those stories.)"A Firefly Tale" tells a wonderful story about a firefly and the little girl who captures it in a jar.  (Don't worry, it's not a "girly" story, and -- as you're reading aloud -- you can point to the many boys in the wonderful illustrations.  They're clearly playing an active role in the day's activities.)Woven through this delightful book are extra features that take it beyond the typical read-aloud book.Of course, this book contains many good lessons about nature and (of course) why children shouldn't plan to keep a firefly in a jar "forever."In addition, the story is magical and filled with delight.  Typical of Lily Lexington books, this tale is sure to spark a child's imagination.(This is mostly a read-aloud book.  The vocabulary is perfect for that, and the book is filled with everyday words.  However, some could be phonetically challenging for early readers, unless they're gifted.)In addition to the wonderful illustrations, charming tale, and excellent messages for children discovering nature, this book's rhyming shines.  The cadence (or rhythm) of this story, read aloud, might inspire early poets.  In addition, that rhythm is exactly what some parents look for, if they're working with early learning techniques that -- according to some researchers -- offer the potential to enhance IQ.  (I'm intrigued by that kind of research, especially multiple intelligence theories, though they're still in very early stages of development and confirmation.)Of course, the main reason to own this book is because it's fun.  If your children are like mine, they will love hearing "A Firefly Tale" read aloud at bedtime. It's the kind of story that children ask for, over and over again... and become part of happy bedtime memories.