The Fly. (Disgusting Critters). Elise Gravel. Toronto, ON: Tundra Books, 2014. 32 pp., hardcover, $12.99. ISBN 978-1-77049-636-1. Subject Heading: Flies-Juvenile literature. Grades 1-3 / Ages 6-8. Review by Claire Perrin. **** /4

excerpt:

Thanks to little bubbles of liquid at the ends of his feet, the housefly can walk on walls or even on the ceiling.

(In a speech balloon) “It’s pretty cool but it’s not easy to play soccer up here.”

The Fly is a unique nonfiction book about the common housefly. Full of interesting facts, the book reads more like a picture book or simple graphic novel. Everything you never wanted to know about one of mankind’s least favourite creatures is covered in this book. Readers will discover the fly’s secret to walking on the ceiling, why flies eat feces and why they are so difficult to catch. The facts are explained in terms simple enough for primary students to understand. For example, the fly's reproductive cycle is described in three simple steps (maggot, pupa and fly) with simple diagrams of each stage. Important words stand out in bigger fonts or colourful bubble letters. Each page has incredible visual appeal and is very eye-catching.

     The illustrations, also by Elise Gravel, are both funny and informative. Each page has a large cartoon style picture (with a caption) that supports the text. For example, one page which describes how the fly's body is covered with hair shows a picture of a fly standing in front of a mirror, covered in shaving cream with razor in hand. Gravel’s ability to turn the most disgusting fact into an adorable drawing is remarkable.

      The Fly is the first book in a series called “Disgusting Critters". The Worm is available now, and The Slug and The Rat will be available later this year. This series is a must-read for children who like the world’s most unlikeable creatures.

Highly Recommended.

Claire Perrin is an elementary teacher-librarian in Toronto, ON.

To comment on this title or this review, send mail to cm@umanitoba.ca.

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Published by The Manitoba Library Association ISSN 1201-9364

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