Pistes d'exploration

Discuss why the boy wanted to catch fireflies. Have you ever done that? Why did he let them go? Was that a good decision?

Research how fireflies make light. Share your knowledge through a computer presentation.

Write a poem describing what fireflies look like and how to catch them. Describe the feeling when you let them go.

Discuss why it was difficult for the boy to let the fireflies go. Describe all the things the fireflies are compared to. Have you ever caught fireflies, bugs or frogs? What did you do with them?

Retell the story from the fireflies’ point of view.

Write an e-mail to the boy, telling him what you think of his decision.

Hey, Little Ant

Mots-clés

Picture book , choices , decisions , first-person narration , flies , freedom , letting go , life cycles

Commentaire descriptif

A young boy catches a jar full of fireflies and he feels as though he owns a piece of moonlight. It isn’t until their bright light begins to wane that he realizes they can’t remain cooped up or they will die. Wistful pencil drawings in muted tones paired up with poetically evocative language (“The moonlight and the fireflies swam in my tears, but I could feel myself smiling”) help convey the protagonist’s mixed feelings as he struggles to do the right thing: free the insects before it is too late. At various points in the story, the word fireflies is italicized, echoing the excitement and awe felt by the protagonist in the presence of their magical light. A good choice for story time or for independent reading, this book could be used to spark a discussion on making difficult decisions, to introduce writing conventions such as dialogue and first-person narration, or to help model writing based on a personal memory.