K-Gr 3 This simple, delightful story of two fireflies finding each other among thousands is sure to enchant children. A female firefly flashes in the night, hoping against odds to find her match, and she is successful. Written in verse, the text is lyrical yet simple enough for even the youngest readers to enjoy and short enough to be shared aloud in a group setting. The photographs are breathtaking, with close-ups of fireflies flashing in the night, and complement the dreamlike tone. Panoramic shots of a forest filled with flashes provide different perspectives. Educators hoping to tie this book to science curricula will appreciate the note at the end, which offers a scientific explanation of how a firefly's flashes function in the wild. VERDICT This enthralling look at fireflies will be enjoyed by all who read it.— Ellen Norton, Naperville Public Library, Naperville, IL

Lightning bugs are captivating, yet there is more to these fascinating beetles than an entertaining light show. Frost's gentle, free-verse poem opens with a firefly sitting atop a flower on a warm summer's night. While searching for lights that will identify her future mate, she realizes she is not alone but surrounded by a multitude of glowing fireflies, "Eleven. / Twenty. / Hundreds. Thousands. / Countless bright / flashes." Yet looking across the meadow, she spies a pattern, "Light. Dark. / Light. Dark." She responds with the same pattern, until he flies to her. "At last / they meet. / Night is black / and bright / and warm. / It holds / and carries / their clear / silent song." The straightforward, pleasant lines, coupled with Lieder's stunning, close-up, twilight photography, make an engaging and beautiful introduction to the world of fireflies. Although intended for a younger audience, the factual information at the close of the duo's impressive presentation encourages broader reader appeal.

In this third collaboration (Step Gently Out; Sweep Up the Sun), Frost's poem tells of a female firefly looking for her mate: "How will she find / one firefly / among so many?"; Lieder's luminous photos achieve a surprising variety. The blend of science, gentle poetry, and spectacular photography will make children long for warm summer nights. A closing note offers additional facts.