Cicada Symphony

by Sue Fliess, Gareth Lucas (Illustrator)

Eeee-ooo! Eeee-ooo! Cicadas drone on, clicking and buzzing from dusk till dawn.

There are about three thousand different kinds of cicadas on earth. Some species emerge from the ground every year, while others only come up every thirteen or seventeen years. But no matter how much time passes before they dig their way to the surface, the result is the up to trillions of clumsy (but harmless!) insects flying, clicking, and buzzing all around us. Using a combination of rhythmic, rhyming verse and fun facts, this story describes the life cycle of the cicada and helps readers better understand this insect.

Genres: Picture Books, Nonfiction, Nature, Animals, Childrens, Science

32 pages, Paperback

Expected publication March 5, 2026

About the author

Sue Fliess ("fleece") is the bestselling author of Robots, Robots Everywhere!, I'm a Ballerina! and How to Trap a Leprechaun, and more than 35 other children's books including Sadie Sprocket Builds a Rocket, Mrs. Claus Takes the Reins, Mary Had a Little Lab, Beatrice Bly's Rules for Spies, and many Little Golden Books. Her books have sold over 850,000 copies worldwide. Her background is in copywriting and PR/marketing, and her essays have appeared in O Magazine, HuffPo, Writer's Digest, and more. Fliess has also written for Walt Disney.

Her books have received honors from the SCBWI, have been used in school curricula, museum educational programs, and have even been translated into multiple languages. The Bug Book was chosen for Dolly Parton's Imagination Library three years in a row and The Hug Book was selected to the Imagination Library Australia.

She's a member of SCBWI, Children's Book Guild of DC, and the Author's Guild. She does book signings, school visits, and speaking engagements.

When she's not writing, she is walking her two silly English Labradors or busy with her two teen boys. She really misses traveling. Sue lives in Northern VA with her family. Visit her at www.suefliess.com.

Reviews

[Terri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cicada Symphony is an impressively illustrated fact-filled nonfiction picture book. The rhyming text can be read separately from the more detailed facts that are included on each two-page spread. Best for ages 4-8.

[Janet Squires · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cicada Symphony by Sue Fliess with illustrations by Gareth Lucas is a lovely melding of fact and fun as she traces the cicada lifecycle.

Fliess was inspired by personal experience after having been witness to Brood X and was particularly interested by the cicada’s song. Her fascination comes through on every page as she invites her readers to share her delight in these amazing little creatures.

There are some 3,000 species worldwide. Most emerge annually, but there are a few species living in North America who live a thirteen to seventeen year cycle like Brood X. Fleiss channels her rare opportunity into an instructive book that is also an entertaining read.

The clever rhyming narrative describes the activation of underground nymphs to the life of adults then concludes with the laying of eggs that hatch to release new nymphs to burrow into the ground to begin the cycle anew. The lyrical rhythm is supported by multiple text boxes that offer additional detail.

Lucas uses strong line and vivid color to highlight each moment of the process in eye-catching
detail.

Cicada Symphony concludes with a Glossary, Author’s Note, labeled cicada anatomy, and further reading in Children’s Reference Books.

Recommended for all young naturalists.

[Roben · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cicadas are fascinating! And I learned to appreciate them a lot more by reading Fliess' lovely book.

Things I learned - cicada nymphs change their skin four times before they reach the surface.

They have two sets of eyes!

They are clumsy but harmless - so they might run into you but they won't hurt you.

Lots of animals like to eat them - including dogs!

Only males sing and each cicada species has its own song.

There is a short glossary and a detailed illustration at the end. Also the author explains why she wrote the book.

There is rhyming text in large print on each page and more detailed info about cicadas in smaller non-rhyming text. I suggest reading the rhyming part first. Then go back and re-read the rest of the info.

We have cicadas every year in Texas and normally they would be singing on a July evening but it rained today so they are taking a break. True story -- several years ago when a large cicada brood was emerging in Virginia, we held a cicada cooking competition as a fundraiser. They are sort of like shrimp.... if you have a very open mind.

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

Brief summary: Young readers will learn about the interesting life cycle of a cicada and what they do in each life stage.

Comments: This children's book has large rhyming text and smaller detailed text on the pages.

I believe it would be a good one to share with younger kids as a read-aloud with just the larger text and possibly choosing to share more details of each illustration if there is time or interest.

Or. After reading the large text, I would do a book teaser and suggest they learn more about this extraordinary insect by checking out the book and reading the smaller detailed text.

Large two-page spreads. The back pages include a cicada's life cycle, a glossary, an author's note, and a detailed insect parts diagram.

Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗

[Liz · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I hate cicada summers, this book makes me like them a tiny bit. (I remember getting hit in the face numerous times in the summer between 8th grade and high school.) I had no idea they make their clicking sound 300+ times per second and don't hear their own sound to prevent deafening themselves. I appreciate a non-fiction book that has bigger text that carries the general message on each spread and then chunks of information in a smaller font for those who want to learn more. Makes it so adaptable, depending on your audience.

[Wren · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is eye-catching. A very bright 5-year-old friend of was delighted to go through this book with me. She already knew about cicadas, but she liked the pictures and the text helping her reinforce what she knew and to teach her a few things that she did not know. It's just a gorgeous book.

The back matter includes their life cycle, a glossary, an author's note, and a diagram of detailed insect parts.

[Chandler Taylor · Rating 3 out of 5]

A couple of things I wish the book had done differently: go full on with rhyme or don't, it reads like someone analyzing a song one verse at a time and it's kind of annoying (you'd want to hear the song more than the commentary) and I wish there was an explanation of why cicadas exist, what is their purpose? The illustrations are collaged and interesting and the concept of the books is good; they just couldn't decide if they were writing a factual nonfiction book or telling a storytime tale.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

You may be wondering why on earth I would pick out a book for my son that is centered around one of my most hated bugs, and you’d be right in wondering this… However, I actually learned a lot about these bugs and the illustrations were so gorgeous I actually didn’t even find them ugly anymore. The rhyming was my favorite, but the facts are kinda long and my 3 year old lost interest so this is maybe more for the 5+ range of kiddos. But again, very insightful and for that I’ll give it 4/5 ⭐️

[Connie T. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This colorful picture book about cicadas is chock-full of interesting details that are sure to satisfy the most curious of young explorers. Read the rhyming large print text to learn the cicada's life cycle. Then go back and read the small print to learn more. The artwork reminds me of Eric Carle's colorful, layered style though I don't think this is collage work.

[Rosemary · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the most amazing, beautifully illustrated, poem combined with science, children’s book about the periodic cicadas. It won a Blueberry Award this year, and is now on back order…find one at your library or anywhere you can to read and see and enjoy this story of this natural phenomena occurring soon! Perfect for ALL ages!

[Abbigail · Rating 4 out of 5]

My niece was really excited about this book because she became obsessed with cicadas recently!

I really love it too. Great illustrations and I love it when nonfiction books have simpler text with more detailed paragraphs that you can either read or skip over depending on the reader.

Good backmatter too with a glossary, authors note, reference books, and a labeled diagram of a cicada.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fliess explains the life cycle for cicadas at a level elementary students will understand. She takes us from nymph to adult and back to eggs to finish with the next nymphs.

The rhyming text explains their cycle and the smaller text boxes provide further details.
The illustrations are realistic and colorful.

[Aolund · Rating 5 out of 5]

An enjoyable ode to cicadas, packed full of information! Rhyming stanzas share central concepts with additional information present on each page in smaller text.

Themes: Insects, Nature, STEM
Age range: Preschool-Early Elementary

[L M · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. The text is a charming and informative back and forth of rhymes and prose that inform the reader about cicada anatomy behavior and their life cycle. The artwork matched perfectly with the words. Good back matter

[Peacegal · Rating 4 out of 5]

This colorfully-illustrated juvenile nonfiction book talks about nature in an exciting and engaging way for young readers. There's a lot more to these noisy backyard bugs than we may realize, and their lifecycle is pretty amazing.

[D'Anne Mosby · Rating 4 out of 5]

In summer, we hear the loud noise of cicadas. But do you know how they grow? They start as eggs then nymphs in the ground. They molt and grow through the year. As adults they make that loud noise we hear. This books amazing mosaic pictures and rhyme teach us about cicadas and their song.

[Svapna Sabnis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is just lovely. It’s rhyming and filled with interesting facts . The colors and illustrations are vibrant. Yet it’s well paced and child appropriate. It’s a wonderful read aloud book.
I’m actually using it as a model for a picture book class that I’m taking .
Love it!

[Emma Refvem · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such gorgeous pictures!! I love that you can choose to just read the rhyming parts and it goes more quickly for younger kids, but then explainy bits for older ones!!! Got this from the library but gonna buy it!

[Michelle Gray · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can't wait to read this in storytime! The illustrations are bright and large, great for seeing details and the text was fascinating. I learned so much about cicadas.

[LS Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

appeals to multiple reading levels - information in poems for easy access, facts for more in-depth reading

[Becky McGregor · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this book very informative and the rhythm of this book is amazing.

[Miss Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

An elementary and up guide to Cicada's and their life cycle.

[Paul Delacruz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book to educate children about cicadas with nice large print, easy reading and nice illustrations.

[Tracie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rhyming text and boldly colored illustrations describe the life cycle of cicadas.

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

The life cycle of cicadas, illustrated and explained in detail. An excellent resource.

[Joleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well done! Enjoyed learning very useful information.

[Allison · Rating 4 out of 5]

2024 Texas 2x2

[Lil M’s Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite books I’ve read to my 5 month old son so far 🥹 educational, cute, and unique! I personally learned tons about cicadas from this book

[Andi Butler · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoy books that can grow with a child, and I loved this one! An intro to nonfiction, it reads like a story, utilizing rhyming and counting, with simple text that’s easy to understand. It also has relatable science facts with expanded explanations for older children. The animated illustrations are bold, lively, stylized and amazingly accurate and contain small shapes layered with larger ones. The vibrant hues combined with halftones and gradients play well together, and make for really exciting visuals! This would be a beautiful addition to a family home library and should be read in physical form, not on a screen. A beautiful way to guide kids (and their grown ups) to develop an appreciation for the insect world.

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

While there are an endless amount of strange and fascinating insects in our world, the cicada is certainly unusual. In Cicada Symphony, readers will learn about the life cycle of this mysterious bug, accompanied with bright and vibrant illustrations.