Firefly Galaxy

PreS-Gr 3–In this book, Sofia cradles the jar Papa poked holes in and gazes skyward, as her family eagerly awaits the arrival of fireflies. Then, a twinkling overhead and the owl’s call herald their arrival. Her siblings, Lili and Diego, dash every which way; but Sophia tiptoes through the grass and captures a firefly in her jar. She admires the firefly, watching its light blink “slow-soft, slow-soft” for a few moments before releasing it. In a suitably dazzling finish, Sophia spreads her arms and takes to the sky, along with her siblings and faithful dog, “like fireflies with new wings.” Collage illustrations evoke the beauty of nighttime and confirm the closeness of Sophia’s biracial family. A grand, deliberate use of repetition, alliteration, and rhythm pace the story, offering moments of breathless exhilaration and pauses for contemplative awe. Back matter includes firefly facts, such as how they make light and why they flash, their life cycle, where they live, and tips on how to help fireflies survive in an increasingly urban world.