Ten Flashing Fireflies

by Philemon Sturges, Anna Vojtech (Illustrator)

Luminous pictures and a buoyant, chant-aloud text, combine to make this two-way counting book as joyous and magical as catching fireflies on a summer night.

Genres: Picture Books, Mathematics, Summer, Counting, Storytime, Childrens, Number

32 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 1995

About the author

Philemon Fowler Sturges III was an architect and author based in Rhode Island. He trained at Princeton University. He wrote children's books from 1995 until his death in 2005.

Reviews

[Samantha · Rating 3 out of 5]

The soft, muted illustrations were my favorite part of this book - it made the contrast of the white and yellow fireflies clearer and easier for a young reader to count. It became a little harder to read after the first few pages because the author stopped her rhyming scheme in the third line of each page. This interrupted the flow of reading for me.

[Azriana Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I used this book in my 1st grade placement to teach equations. This book uses math by counting down within 10. The students loved catching fireflies with math on them and using counters or mental math to find the answer. Great introduction to an addition or subtraction lesson.

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

Two young siblings collect ten flashing fireflies in a jar one summer night in this rhyming counting book from author Philemon Sturges and illustrator Anna Vojtech. One by one they capture the little creatures, entranced by their light. But when those lights grow dim in captivity, the children release the fireflies, who flit away into the dark night...

One of a number of picture books I requested from the library recently, after being entranced by the sight of fireflies lightning up in my back yard one evening, Ten Flashing Fireflies pairs an engaging text in rhyme with lovely, dark-toned illustrations that capture the beauty of the night, and the wonder of these twinkling creatures. I really appreciated the fact that the children are moved to free the fireflies, when they realize they are slowly killing them, and think that this would make a lovely bedtime book during the summer.

[Debra · Rating 3 out of 5]

A warm summer night with children gathering fireflies in a jar to enjoy the glow of their lights. One by one they catch and add each firefly to their jar. As they reach ten, they carry the jar to light their bedroom then realize that it more fun to release them back into the night.

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a terribly exciting story but if you add your own commentary about the fireflies and the ever changing size of the jar, it can even be entertaining for older kids. The pictures are nice and thoughtfully portray the wonder of fireflies.

[Monica Lit · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute Summer counting story... reminded me of catching lightning bugs as a little girl.

[Jenna Montgomery · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adorable story of kids catching fireflies told with endearing rhymes. Lovely illustrations that capture the innocence of childhood.

[Barbara Lovejoy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I chose to read this book because of the illustrator, Anna Vojtech.

[Renate]

This is both a rhyming and counting book which will help with phonological awareness. Before reading the book, it is important to tell children what fireflies are since they are not common in Colorado and some children won't know what they area. The illustrations are really fun and they truly evoke evening. An interesting point in this book-- it counts- but not in order so that allows for counting each page.

[Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was excited to find this one because I think fireflies are so magical and it would be so much fun to focus on them for a summer reading theme with kids. This is simply a good book for helping kids to count and to subtract as the sister and brother catch the fireflies one by one and observe how many are left flying around in the summer night sky.

[Jackie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Counting back and forth from one to ten, siblings catch fireflies in a jar. As they realize that the glow and intensity of the glow wears off once they are trapped within the jar, they decide it is much more fun to watch them fly away and, once again, light up the night sky.

Used for "You Light Up My Night, Firefly" Storytime: June, 2011.

[Mhm Storytelling]

This book is about a boy and girl catching firflies in their backyard. As they cath them, they count how many fireflies are in the jar.

Ways to Interact:
Counting the fireflies in the jar
How many are left outside the jar?
identify the animals that are next to the jar
motions: catch fireflies, go to sleep
sounds: snoring sounds

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book fine, but didn't find it spectacular. However, my preschoolers absolutely loved it. They said the repeating opening line while doing actions, used their hands to flash like the fireflies, but their favorite part? Catching the fireflies! They made it through all 10 fireflies. And I was worried the book wouldn't be able to hold their attention...Surprise!

[Michelle Marcano · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ten flashing fireflies is a story about a boy and girl collecting fireflies in their backyard. although this book is great for math I think that the use repetition is great for literacy. It is also a simple book that the students can get creative with during read alouds.

[Trever · Rating 1 out of 5]

I understand fireflies, but this is just the same picture with one gone each time.

I didn't think this book was good at all, there are older and newer books that deal with subtraction in a much better way.

[Kristie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book counts up to 10 and back down again. The fireflies standout on the pages against a darker, night background.

[Lindsay · Rating 4 out of 5]

counting, summer, fireflies/insects/bugs

[Tricia · Rating 3 out of 5]

counting book with fireflies. fun text.

[Lena Barnes · Rating 3 out of 5]

This would be great to read and bring out when children start seeing fireflies outside. Great counting book for one-to-one correspondence.

[Jeannie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A tender book that counts both up and down.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two children catch fireflies and put them in a jar to light up their room. This is a good book to introduce respect for nature,

[Irina · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a simple book about counting fireflies. It can be used when teaching counting forward and backward since it has both.

[Dotty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun counting book with just the right ending and the true test is Johnny wanted to read it again.

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good counting book; you count up and down at the same time.

[Christian Lyles · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked this book because it was a basic counting book.

[Jack · Rating 4 out of 5]

Anna Vojtech's illustrations capture the nighttime firefly catch and release. A pleasant and a little different counting book, good to read aloud.
Age Range: 4 and up
Lexile Measure: 210L

[Claire · Rating 3 out of 5]

Repetitive text will encourage kids to join in on this counting book. Darkened illustrations and a calm rhyme would make it a good bed time story.

[House · Rating 1 out of 5]

They only caught 10 fireflies. It was so weird.

[Miss Janis the Storytime Lady · Rating 2 out of 5]

okay.