Mayfly Day

by Jeanne Willis, Tony Ross (Illustrator)

A beautiful life-affirming picture book by award-winning team Jeanne Willis and Tony Ross Mayfly might have only one day to live, but she enjoys every moment by observing all the wonderful life teeming around her and rejoicing in her own. As she soars over the sky at dawn she bathes in the golden light, and she dances to the music of the universe. Throughout the day she sees a multitude of glorious things, including flowers blooming, a summer's rain, children playing on a lawn, and a sky filled with rainbows. With illustrations that are whimsicle and bright, Mayfly teaches children and adults alike to cherish the gift of being alive each day.

Genres: Picture Books, Death, Animals, Childrens

32 pages, Paperback

First published June 6, 2006

About the author

Jeanne Willis was born in St Albans and trained as an advertising copywriter at Watford College. She worked for various agencies creating press adverts and TV, cinema and radio commercials. She is now a full-time writer and has published over 80 books. Her hobbies include gardening, reading (non-fiction), natural history and collecting caterpillars. Jeanne has also worked on scripts for TV, including POLLY POCKET and THE SLOW NORRIS, and a pilot TV series for DR XARGLE. She lives in North London with her husband and two children.

Reviews

[Abi · Rating 3 out of 5]

A reminder to soak up life and live in the present :)

[Rosie Potter · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so lovely. The illustrations are so detailed, and evoke such feeling from the reader. It’s a great book to begin to explore life and death with younger children and to introduce ideas of lifecycles for topics like science. Also as the Mayfly travels through her day, she goes through loads of different places and areas and I think this also would lead to a good discussion about the environment and the importance for insects and animals to be in their right place. I think it’s really poignant at the end of the book when the Mayfly lies down to finish the day and I think children will find this quite emotive. However it is still important and it’s not a sad ending because the Mayfly had not just a good day, but the best day.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gorgeous illustrations and a lovely poetic text. (e.g. "She dances to the music of the universe".) I chose to read this book because I wanted to see how the topic of a very short life (1 day) was handled - it was done very well. The story was uplifting and beautiful; not at all dreary or depressing.

[Emily Davidson · Rating 5 out of 5]

i cried on the train thinking about this book yesterday and i haven't read it since i was about 10 years old so if that's not a testament to its power i don't know what is

[Jenna Mills · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful

[Cheryl]

on pbs wishlist

[Charlotte Clarke · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautiful picture book suitable for younger readers from nursery age upwards. There is some simple text; although there are one or two words which will challenge beginner readers, it can be read with an adult or older reader until the child becomes confident accessing the story alone.

The story content is movingly philosophical; a mayfly lives only one day, but her short life is full of love and happiness. She is born just before the dawn, and revels in its beauty. As the day passes, she floats through her life, marvelling at the wonders that she sees. She enjoys her wedding, lays her eggs, and in the evening she lies down to sleep, never to wake up.

There is a wonderful positive message underscoring every line of text and illustration in this book; a deep sense of wonder in the world and a constant reminder to notice the beauty and good things that surround us. It would be ideal to use in a PSHCE setting for younger children when discussing the facts of death or the idea of living in the moment and finding joy in simple things.

A word of warning for the adult reader: this book makes me cry. Not just a single tear, I genuinely weep when I read it alone. Writing this review and remembering it, I cried again. I am a real softy sometimes, so this warning might not apply to everyone, but if your aim is to teach children that death happens and it's a natural and normal thing that we all need to be able to deal with maturely, it's not ideal to be so choked up you can't get the end of the story out. Conversely, I've read it with several different children now, and they don't seem to be affected by it anywhere near as much as I am. Just read the book alone before you present it to a child, in case it tugs too hard at your heartstrings.

[Zayneea · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Mayfly has one day to live. She flies around enjoying the beauty in everything around her - thankful for her wonderful life. She lives for each moment and it's such a lovely thing.

[Dixii · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my favorite children's book!!! I live how much life is appreciated in her short life. It's so nice to see the world and life through her eyes!!

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredibly touching picture book.