Firefly Galaxy

by Sarah Nelson, Estrellita Caracol (Illustrator)

Sofia and her siblings can hardly wait for nightfall — Sofia hopes to fill a jar with fireflies! When at last Mars flickers, and the owl begins to hoot, Sofia and her family venture into a dazzling summer night where firefly light is like a glittering galaxy. Lyrical text and gorgeous collage artwork are supplemented by informative endmatter on finding fireflies and protecting their habitats.

Genres: Picture Books, Summer, Childrens, Storytime, Family

32 pages, Hardcover

Published April 2, 2024

About the author

Sarah Nelson is the author of critically acclaimed fiction and nonfiction picture books. Her most recent title, Birth of the Bicycle: A Bumpy History of the Bicycle in America, is a 2024 Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection. Sarah's other titles include Firefly Galaxy, Follow the Flyway: the Marvel of Bird Migration, and A Park Connects Us, which has been featured in dozens of StoryWalks across the United States. When not writing, Sarah teaches English to adult immigrants and refugees and loves walking in the parks around her Minnesota home. She is represented by Marietta B. Zacker of the Gallt and Zacker Literary Agency. Learn more at sarahnelsonbooks.com.

Reviews

[Patricia N. McLaughlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gorgeous collage illustrations saturated with color evoke the magic of a summer night when the fireflies come out and shine their lights, mesmerizing the children in this story and readers alike. Fortunately, the parents have taught their kids respect for nature, so they catch and release the firefly instead of letting it die alone and mateless in the jar. End notes include lots of fascinating firefly facts, including a gentle reminder to practice a watch-and-wonder ethos with nature’s creatures.

[TheRetiredSchoolLibrarian |Mrs. Ferraris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brief summary: Sophie, Diego, and Lili excitedly wait until it is dark enough to catch fireflies and put them in a jar. Their parents go with them away from the house, where they can see the stars at night and the fireflies flashing off and on.

Comments: There is a section at the back called "Fascinating Firefly Facts" for more information about this insect.

The illustrations were created in paper collage.

Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗

[Rebecca Hill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Let your imagination out with this great book - and then get outside and find these fireflies for yourself!

I loved this read. It was fun, and enjoyable all the way through. The ending has a great section on fireflies and their environment.

Perfect for kids who enjoy the outdoors and science!

[Binxie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really a 3. 5 stars. It is a little long for storytime, but if used in a family, outside, summer, evening storytime, it might be perfect. The rhyming text got a bit tedious and could have been shorter. The collage graphics were colorful and interesting. One on one reading while on a summer vacation where fireflies are abundant is sure to be a delight.

[Mr. Lowton · Rating 2 out of 5]

2024 Picture Book. American Author. Argentinian Illustrator.

A family captures fireflies.

What I liked: The illustrations.

What I didn't like: The writing...some of the rhymes, especially in the first few pages, were nonsensical

Overall, I'll pass.

[P. B. Yeary · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful way to boy encourage my children to sleep and inspire her to stay up late looking fireflies. For my full writer to writer review of the elements in this story that work, please check out my blog pbjellytalez.blogspot.com

[Dannaca · Rating 4 out of 5]

We read this for our Night Sky themed story time. It's about a family waiting for the right time to go out and catch fireflies. I liked the rhythm of the story and the illustrations. I also liked that the firefly was released at the end of the story!

[Taylor · Rating 3 out of 5]

Prose was a bit clunky and awkward

[Abbigail · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very cute rhyming story about the anticipation of going out to catch fireflies during the summer; accompanied by sweet collage-style illustrations of a biracial family.

[Meghan Bohn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m a sucker for collage art, but I just couldn’t get into this one. I don’t know if it was the rhyming scheme or what. The information is all accurate.

[Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars
Firefly Galaxy captures the joy of seeing fireflies and maybe even capturing one, yet reminds us that fireflies need to fly free.

[Panda Incognito · Rating 3 out of 5]

The collage art is nice, and the book includes scientific information about fireflies. The text is a bit clunky at times, but this is good overall.

[Martha Meyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I remember catching firefly's as a kid, in a jar, on long summer evenings. Now, I see them much less. Kids don't have the luxury of catching them on a summer's night anymore, at least around my suburban town. This book brought back that magical experience and includes great back matter about how to support fireflies, too! The family presents as mixed race Latinx, which is also refreshing. The art by Argentinian Estrellita Caracol (this is her pseudonym, meaning little star snail) is gorgeous and saturated in the inimitable Barefoot Books style. Wonderful!