How to Survive as a Firefly

By Kristen Foote, Erica Salcedo (Illustrator)

Part of the How to Survive series

Survive the wild world of fireflies and learn to glow before it's too late.

4.0/5 Goodreads · 75 ratings

36 pages

$16.99Save 6%

In stock. Also at Amazon.

Bookroo's summary

Dive into the perilous life of a firefly larva, where every shadow hides danger. Discover the secrets of glowing abdomens, dodging predators, and avoiding becoming dinner. Will you make it to adulthood? This hilarious guide blends science with survival tips, offering a unique glimpse into the glowing world of fireflies. Perfect for curious minds who love to laugh while they learn, this book is packed with fun facts and real photos. Can you navigate the challenges and emerge as a fully-fledged firefly? Find out in this entertaining journey through the insect world.

From the publisher

Listen up, larvae! I’ve been in the trenches for the last year and a half, and let me tell you, there is danger lurking behind every tree and headlight. With my expertise, you’ll learn how to hunt your first meal (snail soup anyone?), what makes your abdomen glow (put down the fire extinguisher!), and how to react when your mate wants to eat you for dinner (who knew fireflies could be cannibals?). Buck up, buttercup you’re in for the flight of your life! If you know what s good for you, you’ll stop goofing around and pay attention to How to Survive as a Firefly, or you might never make it to adulthood!

How to Survive as a Firefly provides a unique take on insect science that will entertain and educate in and out of the classroom. Full of opportunities for extended learning, this book includes fun facts hidden throughout the hilarious illustrated story and after, a glossary of important terms and some real firefly photos. If you’ve ever wondered how these fascinating beetles grow and glow and you like to laugh while you learn this book is for you!

At a glance

Format: Hardcover
Pages: 36
Reading age: 5–10
Audience: Picture
Lexile: AD690L

Themes & topics

Books about bugs and insects Books about nature Books about science Books about science and nature Books about biology

Good to know

Stories behind the story

Where did you originally get the idea for How to Survive as a Firefly?

I grew up in the suburbs of Chicago, and fireflies were a major part of every summer as a child. Upon researching them, I found out just how fascinating of an insect they actually are and was inspired to share that knowledge! By Kristen Foote (author)

What was the hardest part about creating How to Survive as a Firefly?

The hardest part about creating this book was to make sure that all of my facts were accurate and up-to-date based on today's research. A lot of the information put out there (both in books and on the internet) is not factual, so I had to make sure I had several experts vet all of my information and make sure the scenery and characters (although fictional in the story) rang true to actual firefly science. This involved a lot of communication with scientists and my illustrator, and detailed research! By Kristen Foote (author)

What do you hope children enjoy about your character sergeant firefly teacher?

The sergeant firefly teacher in this story is so great! He is tough, but really wants the firefly students to pay attention and learn so that they can survive. Like most teachers, he truly cares about all of his students and I hope that my readers get his sense of humor. By Kristen Foote (author)

What is your favorite thing about How to Survive as a Firefly?

My favorite thing about this book is that it teaches real science, while entertaining and engaging the reader. There is so much really accurate and interesting insect science packed into this book! By Kristen Foote (author)

When was your favorite time reading How to Survive as a Firefly aloud? Why?

My favorite time to read this book out loud is at school visits, because I have an interactive firefly life-cycle presentation to go along with it. It is so fun to see kids get into the storyline and learn some cool facts at the same time! By Kristen Foote (author)

For readers who can't stop at one