Dragonflies: Water Angels

by Marta Magellan

A children's book about Dragonflies. Both with photographs and detailed illustrations, it tells young children all they would love to know about "water angels."

32 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2020

About the author

Marta Magellan was born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and has lived in Miami, Florida since the age of seven. She taught Composition, Creative Writing, and Survey of Children’s Literature at Miami Dade College, where she was a full professor and award-winning adviser to Miambiance, the campus literary arts magazine. She has written travel articles for magazines and newspapers but her love for children and profound interest in nature has produced several award-winning children’s books about wild animals, many in collaboration with her brother, Mauro Magellan, an illustrator who has produced work for Albert Whitman, Pelican Press, Scholastic, among others. She has also written children's books for the educational market and a few travel articles on exotic places. She has traveled abroad extensively, and now lives in Miami with her husband and not too far from her beloved son and daughter and grandchildren.

Reviews

[Tamian · Rating 5 out of 5]

My darling husband got this book for his grandchildren, but I took a peek. It was charming! And very informative. Even I learned a few things I didn't know about dragonflies! I LOVED that it touched on water purity and conservation, because that's SUCH an important topic for children to understand from an early age. Five stars from me!

[Judith Valdés B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Dragonflies: Water Angels” by Marta Magellan is an enchanting journey into the captivating world of dragonflies. The author unveils these ethereal creatures’ mesmerizing life cycle, behavior, and symbolism with a delicate blend of scientific insight and beautiful writing. The book educates readers about the ecological significance of dragonflies and weaves a compelling narrative around their mythical and spiritual significance in various cultures. Marta Magellan’s admiration for these elusive insects is evident throughout, making this book a delightful read for nature enthusiasts or anyone seeking a deeper connection with the natural world. Moreover, it touches on water purity and conservation, instilling in children from an early age the importance of safeguarding our water resources. Including fascinating data about the respiratory system utilizing gills for breathing further enhances the reader’s understanding and appreciation of these remarkable creatures. Additionally, the book offers a valuable glossary of words and additional facts about dragonflies in the last pages, making it an invaluable resource for young learners eager to expand their knowledge and curiosity about dragonflies.

[Marta · Rating 5 out of 5]

I feel compelled to write a review of DRAGONFLIES, WATER ANGELS because I found the funny cartoon illustrations to be just right for younger children. It's difficult to write about science for the very young. Just the vocabulary alone can get in the way, but adding the cartoon dragonflies was a stroke of genius by the illustrator. When the text claimed that dragonflies catch and eat mosquitoes while flying, and stated "that's what we call fast food," the illustrator had a cartoon dragonfly with a Bug King cap and a tray of fast food with the caption "Do you want flies with that?"
The scientific part is still there because every other page is a photograph of the real insect. Child-friendly vocabulary was also important to me. Words that make children giggle (like butt) were used on purpose to keep them interested in the text as well as the photographs and cartoons. Some scientific vocabulary was included, such as the scientific words for dragonflies and damselflies. In short, anything that attracts children to the natural world, that helps them love the natural world, is what is important to me. The challenges of writing for the very young require a book like this.

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dragonflies is a wonderful educational resource for an underappreciated bug! The text is informative and interesting for young kids (and their adults), while also being whimsical and fun. Kids will love to learn all about these bioindicators (and what that means). The mix of real life pictures and illustrations maintains that balance of science and approachability. Great addition to any home library or classroom!

[Beth Hurewitz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marta designed a picture book that offers real life photos of the several dragonfly varieties, as well as illustrations, both of which would appeal to the younger set. Frankly, though, I am a mature person and found a lot of joy and delight in learning more than I knew about dragonflies and pouring over the colorful pages. This is a well-rounded introduction to this special creature, and written in an understandable manner.