The Very Lonely Firefly

            The Very Lonely Firefly is written and illustrated by Eric Carle.  It is geared toward younger students, like preschool to late 1^st grade.  I would rate this book 4.5 out of 5 stars. 

            This book is about a firefly who continually flies toward different lights, looking for other fireflies to travel with.  Although he struggles to find his peers, he eventually finds fireflies to fly around at night with. 

            The Very Lonely Firefly could be used with younger children to introduce the idea of identity and looking to belong to a group.  Being lost could also be talked about when using this book.  Students could discuss times they got lost in the grocery store or at amusement parks with their parents.  Almost every child has been lost at one point or another, so this book can be used to ignite some writing about how each student felt when they were lost and how they felt once they were found.  They could also draw pictures of what it looks like when they feel like they belong (who they are with, where they are, etc.) to a group. 

            I don’t really have any hesitations about using this book in my classroom because it seems to be able to be applied to any group of students.  Although the perspectives the students will bring to the discussion will be different, it will bring a needed diversity to the classroom.