Firefly Night

by Carole Gerber

A young Chippewa girl follows a firefly as it reveals the secrets of the night, the many creatures that share her forest home, on her way to sleep. Inspired by Longfellow's Song of Hiawatha.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Native American

Library Binding

First published August 28, 2000

Reviews

[Amy Holliday · Rating 4 out of 5]

Comments on the Story:
I love how this book uses one Chippewa word repeatedly and explains what this word means right away. This word is also used in the poem by Longfellow. Wah-wah-taysee is the word for fire-fly. I like it how this word has see in it and in fact the fire-fly is helping the little girl see so that she can make it home. The story reads like a poem and there is a lot of rhyme and great rhythm. I especially like the text on the last page, And now I’ve reached my sleeping place, shine your sweet light upon my face, then fly into my dreams with me, wah-wah-taysee, wah-wah-taysee.


Recommended Uses for the Book:
This book would be a great bedtime story read at home. I would also read this book in a story hour. If there was a theme about fire-flies this book would be an excellent choice or for a them on Native-Americans.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet story that takes off of Longfellow's Hiawatha poem and shows us how the fireflies lead a little girl through the woods seeing a variety of animals to her bed at night. Loved the repetitive use of wah-wah-taysee, a Chippewa word for firefly. Nice illustrations accompany this book.