The Fly

by Petr Horáček

There’s never a dull moment in this funny, beautifully illustrated tale depicting a pesky fly in a whole new light.

The housefly in this story doesn’t understand why people won’t share their food with him or play with him . . . and why do they keep trying to give him a swat? He’s not doing any harm! In a clever, interactive novelty book buzzing with fun, Petr Horacek may make readers reluctant to turn the final page.

Genres: Picture Books, Storytime, Childrens, Animals, Humor, Fiction, Nature

32 pages

First published May 12, 2015

About the author

Petr Horáček is the author-illustrator of Look Out, Suzy Goose and Silly Suzy Goose, as well as Run, Mouse, Run!; Bird, Fly High; A New House for Mouse; and Strawberries Are Red. He lives in England.

Reviews

[Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pre-review note: Jeff Goldblum does not appear in this book.

I don't usually review children's picture books, but I'm making an exception for this gem.

As a librarian, I'm often called to run children's storytimes, and when I am, Petr Horacek's The Fly is always at the top of my list, paired with a housefly glove puppet that kids just love.

This is a delightful story told from the perspective of that most maligned of insects - a common housefly.

We follow the titular fly as he tries to live his life, forever dodging danger and wondering why everyone has it in for him, from the breakfast table in someone's home, through to the frogs and birds that try to eat him outside.

The illustrations are great, the folding flaps adding a kinetic dimension to our hero's (if a fly can be a hero?) journey, and kids love following the travails of of the fly's life.

Most of all though, this is the rare children's book that encourages empathy for the less popular creatures we share our world with, in a way that is much less moral-mallet-over-the-head than most picture books that have a message of kindness. The final page sees the housefly sitting in the book itself, and the reader has to decide whether to smoosh him between the covers, or let him soar free.

It's a rare group of kids that demands a smooshing after following the fly's endearing story.

I love this book, and it's a go to gift for me when a friend has a baby.

Buy it, and pair it with a fly puppet for double the fun.


Five teleportation experiments gone wrong out of five.

[Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

The life of a fly. Cool flaps and such. I still don't like flies.

[Sylvester (Taking a break in 2023) · Rating 5 out of 5]

2* art
5* story/concept

Hilarious. Squirt loved the flaps and wanted to read the book over and over. Poor fly - why does everybody hate him?

[Mathew · Rating 2 out of 5]

Humorously narrated from the fly’s perspective, Horacek invites the reader to question their opinion over one of the world’s most frustrating inhabitants. Whilst the fly sees his activities in a purely functional way (of course he needs to fly endlessly around the light – how else will he stay fit?), the young boy sees him differently. With his big blue swatter, deftly used in a few lift-the-flap moments, he tries his best to put an end to the insect.

And what about the end of the book? In an odd twist, the fly turns to the reader themselves and begs that they not close the book for fear of squashing him…I wonder how long they could hold out. It’s a fun book but nothing too inventive or clever.

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bright, bold, close up in your face illustrations of the pesky fly and places where he is found doing his activities. For example doing his exercises buzzing around one of your light fixtures. The illustrations of the cows swishing their tails to chase the flies away and I could even hear swooshing sound of the cows tails. Then there is the fly swatter. Spot on look at the pesky fly and how it is just living its life.

[Thomas Ray]

Many kids' books by this author:
https://mpl.linkcat.info/app/search/a...

[Samantha · Rating 2 out of 5]

A look at the life of a common house fly. The fly speaks to readers as it tries to avoid the flyswatter. The humor is played up as much as possible and the die-cut flyswatters make this an interactive read.

Mixed media illustrations. PreK-2.

[pati · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really don't like flies, however, this book is great! Finally, the fly's side of the story. I still have no compassion for the little buggers, but I can appreciate that they also have a right to exist.

[Clarissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This fantastic picture book about a fly, has wonderful illustrations! The fly tells you about his day, and wonders why people don't like him. "Before lunch I always visit the cows. I think they smell lovely." Young children will enjoy the fly's eye view of the world.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

For a fun fly-themed storytime, pair with:
Tiny Little Fly by Michael Rosen
Old Black Fly by Aylesworth

[Casandria · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sorry, I don't really feel bad for you. Flies are gross!

[Blanco Meyers · Rating 1 out of 5]

I never killed another spider after reading "Charlotte's Web".
After reading "The Fly" I still think flies are airborne balls of disease spreading ick.

I prefer "The Fly" by Elise Gravel.

[Tiffany May Ross · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book tells the story of the hard life, of the universally be-loathed, fly- who was once nearly eaten by a frog and a bird on the same day! Not even the cows like him, and he’s not sure why!? My 5 year old loved this book and wanted me to read it to her over and over. She thought it was so funny and especially loved the cool cut out pages that made for a dramatic fly swat effect. I still don’t love flies in my house, so that was an interesting conversation afterwards but still, job well done on a unique children’s book. Original story that evokes laughter and empathy.

[Theediscerning · Rating 4 out of 5]

A pretty clever and impressive way to make us see things from another point of view. Narratively, the end sting is so strong it kind of has too much weight in contrast to the rest, but it's a decent joke at least. I certainly liked this; I just remain unconvinced of it being a family favourite, so four stars.

[Annabel Peet · Rating 5 out of 5]

A funny book told from the point of view of a fly who is just trying to live life and go about its day. Taking an animal that is typically not offered any sympathy and writing a book from its perspective is a clever way of teaching that all living things deserve respect, even if we are taught otherwise.

[Hannah Hayes · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a cute story about a fly. The fly is wondering why everyone tries to swat at him and no one will share their food with him. The pictures in this books are very unique and the message that make us questions how we treat even the smallest creatures on this planet make for a good story.

[Theresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

See the world from the perspective of a fly! Clever and interactive art work well with the humorous text and will make it popular with the preschoolers.

[Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

June 2017 - Ben has been interested in/bothered by insects lately, and particularly liked squashing the fly at the end (plus the spread from the fly's point of view, with the boy upside down).

[Adriana · Rating 4 out of 5]

"A funny look at the life of a fly who doesn't quite understand why no one likes him."
Some fly swatter-shaped pages

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a very chuckle-worthy book. It's all about the life of a fly and his continuing avoidance of the swatter.

[Jane Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this one as it’s not your typical kids book coming with the perspective of a fly!! Wonderful drawings and so funny, laughed out loud many times with the kids!

[Viviane Elbee]

Kids laughed at some of the Fly jokes in this book, especially when the fly swatting boy swats himself. The whole story is told from the Fly’s perspective.

[Jennifer McCallum · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting use of narrative perspective - could be used to lead to some great writing.
Use of flaps added extra engagement, something different and entertaining.

[Zoe Hickey · Rating 3 out of 5]

The journey of a fly around the house and where else they might go.

[Carrie Jacobs · Rating 3 out of 5]

Flies are gross, but this book was fun and creative.

[Y.Poston]

fun illustrations & amusing story

[Cecile · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.8

[Liz Todd · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute, but I still don’t see any reasons to like flies, really.

[K.L. Bernard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Flies are simple creatures who just want to eat, exercise and visit their favorite animals the cows. To a fly, a cow smells lovely. In this interesting tale readers get to see a fly from his very own perspective. He buzzes around a favorite light 156 times to get his exercise. This fly has an agenda. He doesn’t seem to understand why a little boy, the occupant of the house, wants to swat him with his giant blue swatter. Also on the flies agenda is having his meals on time. But of course, that seems to be a trying task as well.

Author Petr Horacek shares a creative story young readers will enjoy. Thick pages make for a sturdy read. Simplistic and colorful illustrations show readers the adventure that is this flies life. Some illustrations and sentencing are upside down giving the reader an idea of what a fly might see. It also makes reading the story more interactive. Some pages are even the shape of the giant fly swatter. Parents and teachers will love the idea of the story along with the simple sentence structure. This is a great tool for any beginner reader, as well as, a great read-aloud.

[Venus · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review originally posted on Children's Atheneum

No one wants to share Fly's food with him. Or play with him. And why do they keep trying to swat him away? He's not doing anything but being a fly.

A clever little book concerning the life of an innocent fly, kids might think twice about pulling out the fly swatter. Then again, maybe not.

The most intriguing part of this book is in its construction, with cutout pages in the shapes of fly swatters. Perhaps it is because I am in book production....never mind, it is definitely because I am in book production, but I find the construction of books to sometimes be more interesting than the book itself. Not often mind you, but books that use special papers, or have interesting covers, or use page effects to be very interesting. There are some great mixed media illustrations, with one page being from the fly's perspective as he is perched on the ceiling.