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256 pp.
| Scholastic
| April, 2023
|
TradeISBN 9781338818581$17.99
|
EbookISBN 9781338818598$10.99
(2)
4-6
Sixth grader Amelia MacGuffin is a worrier. As the eldest of five siblings, she worries about everything from changing the part in her hair to the MacGuffin family's tight finances. So when the mythically lucky wooden staff that is the centerpiece of the annual Dragonfly Day Festival goes missing from Urchin Beach's town square, Amelia decides to channel her worry into finding the thief. Her investigation is hampered by the unexpected arrival of a lost dog in her backyard, a flood that threatens both the festival and the delicate ecosystem that supports the native dragonflies, and the sheer number of possible suspects. With the help of a local mystery author, a trusted librarian, and her own common sense, Amelia surprises herself by solving the crime. But bringing the (beloved and well-known) criminal to justice will prove to be a much harder task. This charming small-town mystery romp will appeal to a wide range of junior detectives, especially those who are also invested in issues of climate change and environmental preservation. Amelia's close-knit beach community of family, friends, and neighbors forms a relatable cast of secondary characters who provide both support and comic relief. Fans of Yan Glaser's resourceful Vanderbeeker clan and Pennypacker's problem-solving protagonists will be delighted that the ending suggests this is just the first of Amelia's adventures.
40 pp.
| Random/Schwartz
| May, 2023
|
TradeISBN 9780593175644$18.99
|
LibraryISBN 9780593175651$21.99
|
EbookISBN 9780593175668$10.99
(2)
K-3
Illustrated by
Anne Wilsdorf.
In this whimsical how-to, a young child in a red dress with white polka dots follows the offstage narrator's instructions, beginning with how to shrink: "Put a rose petal in your pocket at sunrise, near a riverbank where dragonflies live." The girl is cautioned to return to the same spot by sunset or the spell will be permanent. Next, she uses a blade of grass to lasso a well-dressed dragonfly named Priscilla. Together, the two joust with a bumblebee ("thistle spears make good jousting lances"), meet the queen bee, and enjoy tea with fairies since "dragonflies are often invited to parties." There are some close calls: an angry fairy attempts revenge for her stained clothes, and a hungry frog nearly catches Priscilla. Soft watercolor and ink illustrations match the text's fanciful tone; the engaging pond creatures bring liveliness to this magical world.
Reviewer:
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
September, 2023
(3)
K-3
Illustrated by
Jonny Lambert.
The story of a single dragonfly from egg to adult is featured in the main text, while a parallel text rounds out the scientific facts. Colorful collage-like illustrations portray each stage in the dragonfly life cycle: pond-side as eggs are laid, under water as a nymph, then up into the air as an adult.
(4)
K-3
Xtreme Insects series.
This series acquaints young readers with different types of insects. Each formulaic book includes a simple introduction of the genus, a discussion of body parts, and brief paragraphs on various species; edibility by humans and potential medical uses are also considered. Colorful, zoomed-in photographs vary in quality but will engage insect enthusiasts. "Xtreme fact" sidebars extend the texts. Glos., ind. Review covers the following Xtreme Insects titles: Butterflies, Crickets, Dragonflies, Grasshoppers, Mosquitoes, and Moths.
(4)
K-3
Lightning Bolt Books: Amazing Migrators series.
Four short chapters briefly introduce the characteristics, habitat, and reproduction of monarch butterflies or dragonflies, then cover the basics of that animal's annual migration: distance, starting point and destination, timing in the year and in the species' life cycle, reasons the insect must migrate, and threats humans pose to its migration pattern. Large, clear photographs illustrate the choppy texts. "Fun Facts" and "More Amazing Migrators" sections are appended. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Lightning Bolt Books: Amazing Migrators titles: The Monarch Butterfly's Journey and The Dragonfly's Journey.
40 pp.
| Child's Play
| February, 2017
|
TradeISBN 978-1-84643-759-5$16.99
(3)
K-3
Captain Mouse faces "big waves and watery perils" on her adventure-filled sailing expedition to visit her brother. Luckily, friends Frog and Dragonfly are ready to answer her post-shipwreck cries for help. In a mainly seafoam and blue palette, the illustrations zoom in on the captain and her walnut-shell boat, before the wider perspective of the final spread reveals the humorously puddle-size "sea."
(4)
1-3
Calico Kid: Libby Wimbley series.
Illustrated by
Alexandria Neonakis.
Pig-tailed African American farm girl Libby approaches each animal-centric scenario--building a birdhouse, recusing a dragonfly from a spiderweb, teaching her goat tricks, and training her rooster to crow--with persistent problem-solving skills. Each transitional reader has five easy chapters filled with cartoonlike illustrations recalling LeUyen Pham's. The stories are facile, but young readers will be drawn to Libby's curiosity and can-do attitude. Review covers these Calico Kid: Libby Wimbley titles: Birdhouse Builder, Bug Rescuer, Goat Trainer, and Rooster Instructor.
32 pp.
| Book House
| January, 2017
|
LibraryISBN 978-1-911242-05-5$31.35
(4)
K-3
Up Close & Scary series.
This series centers on common types of insects and arachnids. Each volume presents a mini anatomy lesson of various body parts, along with discussion of the purpose and functions of each, before briefly touching on behaviors and threats to survival. The minimal texts are augmented with large, ultra-up-close photographs on (amateurishly designed) scrapbook-style pages. Glos., ind. Review covers these Up Close & Scary titles: Bee, Spider, Ant, and Dragonfly.
(3)
K-3
See Them Grow series.
These substantive texts explain, step-by-step, how the titular insects develop from the time of fertilization (primarily from the time they hatch) to adulthood. Butterfly is the standard metamorphosis-focused fare; Dragonfly has more unusual facts, especially concerning mating rituals. Both are clear and accessible, with illuminating close-up photographs, labeled images, and defined terms. Additional facts about each insect are appended. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these See Them Grow titles: Butterfly and Dragonfly.
(4)
4-6
Bioindicator Species series.
In a series covering species that act as "canaries in a coalmine" for particular habitats, these books discuss how threats such as pollution, use of pesticides, and habitat loss have decreased these insects' populations, and why monitoring them is important. Photos, maps, and graphs break up the accessible texts; researchers may find the Common Core–focused sections with reading-comprehension questions, prompts, and links distracting. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Bioindicator Species titles: Dragonflies Matter. Monarch Butterflies Matter, and Bees Matter.
(4)
K-3
Changing Animals series.
Simple text, a few sentences per page at most, gives basics on this insect's size, body, and eating habits, often using comparisons to aid comprehension. The clean layouts include copious white space surrounding the text on the verso and one large, clear photo on the recto of each inviting spread. Additional facts are appended. Glos., ind.
32 pp.
| Fifth House
| May, 2016
|
TradeISBN 978-1-89725-263-5$19.95 New ed. (2002, HarperCollins)
(2)
K-3
Illustrated by
Julie Flett.
Brothers Joe and Cody, with their family, spend summers camping on Manitoba's hundreds of lakes. The boys' favorite pets are dragonflies, which they fly like magic kites on thread--only to find them again in their dreams. Highway's bilingual English/Cree text (cleanly incorporated into the elegant page design) has a graceful simplicity, and Flett's new illustrations enhance it with quiet colors and textures.
Reviewer: Deirdre F. Baker
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
November, 2016
(3)
K-3
First Step Nonfiction: Backyard Critters series.
New readers get an introduction to nonfiction with this attractive series about common backyard creepy-crawlies. The trim size is great for small hands, and every page includes a color photo and a short, clear sentence. The level-appropriate facts focus on creature essentials, including habitat, behavior, and food; a simple labeled diagram concludes each book. There are four other fall 2016 books in this series. Glos., ind. Review covers these First Step Nonfiction: Backyard Critters titles: Darting Dragonflies, Speedy Centipedes, Flashing Fireflies, and Slimy Snails.
(4)
K-3
Zoom In on Swamp Animals series.
This basic introduction to dragonflies offers cursory facts about appearance, habitat, food, and life cycle. Simple (if choppy) text for emergent readers are adequately reflected in the accompanying photos. The appended "Quick Stats" section offers oddly conceived size comparisons: "a dragonfly is longer than a baseball" and its "wingspan is wider than" one. Glos., ind.
(4)
K-3
Creepy Creatures series.
Close-up color photos showing creepy crawlies in their natural environments dominate these introductions. The texts deliver basic (sometimes incomplete) information on diet, predators, habitat, etc. in short, simple sentences with vocabulary words set apart in bold font. Though little distinguishes these books from extant titles, the final activities, clean designs, and excellent photos will draw in browsers. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Creepy Creatures titles: Dragonflies, Fleas, Grasshoppers, Mites, Moths, and Stick Insects.
24 pp.
| Enslow/Elementary
| January, 2014
|
LibraryISBN 978-0-7660-4212-4$21.26
(4)
K-3
Zoom In on Insects! series.
Each book in this series focuses on the body parts, home, and life cycle of a familiar bug. Two color photos of both the entire insect and a magnified view of eyes, antennae, wings, tongues, or eggs appear on each spread, while brief text with enthusiastic ("Now that's fast!") but sometimes unspecific language offers accessible descriptions. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Zoom in on Insects! titles: Zoom in on Bees, Zoom in on Butterflies, Zoom in on Dragonflies, Zoom in on Fireflies, Zoom in on Grasshoppers, and Zoom in on Ladybugs.
24 pp.
| Bearport
| August, 2012
|
LibraryISBN 978-1-61772-594-4$23.93
(4)
K-3
Animal Diaries: Life Cycles series.
Reader-friendly pages make it easy to understand the stages of development, diet, and habitat of dragonflies. Presented as observations in a child's notebook, the information is supported by engaging close-up photos, text boxes, and questions to encourage further thinking. The fictional narrator is unnecessary, but overall this is an adequate introduction. Related activities are appended. Reading list. Glos., ind.
32 pp.
| ABDO
| September, 2010
|
LibraryISBN 978-1-61613-484-6$28.50
(4)
K-3
Big Buddy Books: Insects series.
These easy-to-read texts provide basic--and selective--information about the title insects. Topics include body parts, life cycles, predators and protections, and how the insect contributes to the planet's well-being. Traits specific to each animal, such as how bees make honey or how dragonflies hunt their prey, are also discussed. Closeup, visually engaging photographs illustrate the texts. Glos., ind. Review covers these Big Buddy Books: Insects titles: Ants, Bees, Butterflies, and Dragonflies.
390 pp.
| Cavendish
| October, 2009
|
TradeISBN 978-0-7614-5582-0$17.99
(3)
YA
Tashi, the Fourth Crown Princess of her kingdom, is unhappily betrothed to Prince Ramil. Together, the two are thrust on an adventure supported by an unusual cast of characters. Filled with intrigue, humor, and romance, the story is familiar in its themes but will keep readers engaged up to the very last sentence.
32 pp.
| Millbrook
| January, 2008
|
LibraryISBN 978-0-8225-6753-0$22.60
(4)
K-3
Illustrated by
Mia Posada.
A second-person text ("You jut out your long toothy lip...") and collage-like illustrations take readers through a dragonfly's stages of growth from egg to nymph to adult. The presentation is effective, but the text tries too hard to be lyrical and the refrain--"Hello, growing dragonfly nymph!" "Hello, hungry dragonfly!"--quickly becomes tiresome. Back matter provides more information about the subject.