The Very Lonely Firefly

Product Information

urn:lcp:verylonelyfirefl1999carl:epub:4e330c55-79d5-46f9-b1db-4260872347c9 Extramarc University of Alberta Libraries Foldoutcount 0 Identifier verylonelyfirefl1999carl Identifier-ark ark:/13960/t2n59j437 Isbn 0399234276 The firefly population is decreasing, so we want to make sure we release them in the same condition we caught them in. Lushly illustrated with Eric Carle’s trademark vibrant collage art, soothingly told with a gentle read-aloud rhythm, and complete with a surprise sure to “light up” children’s faces, The Very Lonely Firefly will fast become a storytime favorite. Read it with a flashlight in the dark or under the table–and watch those fireflies glow! Five practices - This hits on reading; the story, the pictures, and the lighting up fireflies make it a book children will want read to them over and over

After THE VERY HUNGRY CATERPILLAR had been published I wanted to create a VERY quartet. With this book I have achieved that goal. Create the colored paper to use for the wings. (We wanted our wings to resemble the firefly’s wings in the book so we decided to paint our wing paper, but you could also just use construction paper wings to simplify the activity.) The Very Lonely Firefly by Eric Carle starts off with a scene of the sun setting and becoming night time. The book brings in the main character, the lonely firefly. The lonely firefly is flying through the night trying to find someone that has the same light as he does. On the way he runs into a family and their pets who has different objects that confuses the firefly into thinking they are the same as him. He keeps searching through the night until he finds what he was looking for.Young readers empathize with the lonely firefly as he looks for a group where he will really “belong.” In his search for compatible companions, he meets many other night creatures, but none is quite right—until the happy surprise at the very end when the illustration of a swarm of friendly fireflies literally shines and twinkles a welcome in the night. Heartwarming. No preschool firefly unit would be complete without The Very Lonely Firefly, by Eric Carle. In this sweet summery story, a firefly is born who wants to find some friends. He looks everywhere trying to find a companion, but instead finds things like candles, flashlights, fireworks, and a lantern. Finally, after a long search, the lonely little firefly finds a group of fireflies flashing their lights. He’s not a lonely firefly anymore! Then place a damp coffee filter or paper towel in the jar. This keeps the environment humid to protect the firefly.

We decided to make our own fireflies (or lightning bugs as I used to call them) using a cardboard tube and some paper. They turned out super cute! (You could even make a smaller version using an empty toilet paper roll.) Academic opportunities (preschool level): Opportunities to tact the objects mentioned that the firefly mistakes for other fireflies: lantern, flashlight, headlights, candle, fireworks, etc. What objects are objects found in nature? Which objects are manmade (or objects found inside your house?Firefly begins with the letter F. Teach your student the letter F this week as well as the sound it makes. Get ready to catch fireflies as a The Very Lonely Firefly activity by preparing a jar ahead of time. Choose a clear glass mason jar and puncture a few holes in the lid. Kids can decorate the lid if they would like. I don’t recommend decorating the jar itself. Decorations on the jar might interfere with the ability to see inside the jar clearly. Fireflies are insects. They have a hard exoskeleton, two compound eyes, two antennae, six legs, three body parts (head, thorax, and abdomen), and wings. The artwork in The Very Lonely Firefly was created by making a torn paper collage. Many kids are not familiar with torn paper collages. I know in my house we usually gravitate towards paint for art projects, and I’m sure I’m not alone.