Another great book by Carole Gerber which keeps the interest of children while teaching them about fireflies. Highly recommend!

Jennifer L. Woodward, Clemson University
Galbraith, Mary. "Goodnight Nobody Revisited: Using an Attachment Perspective to Study Picture Books about Bedtime." Children's Literature Association Quarterly, Vol 23 (1998-99) 172-179. Landes, Susan. "Picture Books as Literature." Children's Literature Association Quarterly, Vol 18 (1996-97) 51-54. Gerber, Carole. Firefly Night. Watertown, MA: Charlesbridge Publishing, 2000.
Firefly Night, written by Carole Gerber, is a Native American bedtime story which was inspired by lines from Longfellow's Hiawatha. It tells the story of a young Chippewa girl who follows the light of the firefly to the cradle where she sleeps. On the way to her cradle, the firefly lights up the forest to show the girl the many animals that make their home in the forest. Firefly Night uses soothing words and beautiful illustrations to succeed in its purpose of being a wonderful bedtime story for all children.
Bedtime stories of all kinds have long held a purpose in children's literature. According to the social practice and clinical theory mentioned in Galbraith's article, bedtime stories help children to become accustomed to, "being separated from their parents at night," and train them to, "soothe themselves when they are distressed" (173). According to Galbraith, Firefly Night would qualify as a dismissive type of bedtime story. Dismissive books depict a, "kind, safe, but distant holding environment, in which attachment figures are dismissive of the child's need for physical contact at night" (174). In Firefly Night, the young girl trusts the firefly to lead her through the forest and to the safe cradle where she sleeps. An adult figure is only shown once in the background. This story shows a completely independent child putting herself to sleep with only the help of the forest animals. In this way, it is much like the 1985 children's book, When I'm Sleepy, in that it uses a protective animal presence in place of a parental figure (Galbraith 178).
Illustration is also an important aspect of Firefly Night. Landes states that, "One role of pictures in a picture book is to enhance the meaning of a story by illustrating the words" (51). Mary Husted, the illustrator of Firefly Night, completely succeeds in enhancing this story. The watercolors used throughout the book have a calming, almost dreamlike effect, and Husted paid special attention to her use of color. In the beginning, Husted uses pinks and oranges to simulate a beautiful sunset at dusk. The scene gradually transitions into evening, and Husted uses purples and blues to show the night sky. This is much more tranquil than using dark blues and blacks, which appear dark and threatening. The animals in the forest appear calming rather than frightening. Each animal seems to have a soft smile on its face, and these animals act as guardians as they follow the girl to her cradle. Even the snake, which often represents danger, appears relaxed with its head turned away from the girl. This would suggest that she is not threatened by his presence. The illumination of the firefly, from the front cover to the very last illustration, emphasizes to the reader that he is the girl's guiding light to the safety of her cradle.
Landes states that, "Pictures, even more than words, communicate the symbolism and contribute a language of their own" (53). This statement directly applies to Firefly Night. Without the pictures, the words are still melodic, but the effect of the animals as guardians and protectors would not be conveyed. Likewise, the pictures without the words would not be as gentle and reassuring. Gerber and Husted work together to make Firefly Night a successful children's bedtime picture book. Stories such as these help children to become successful "readers" before they can read (Landes 54).

So, I really didn't understand this book. The author reports that she is of "cherokee descent" but she attempts to use Ojibwe language in the book. Or as she refers to the language as "Chippewa" which is a completely outdated term that next to nobody uses anymore. Overall, this book comes off as a raging FAKE.

This book has wonderful illustrations of a native american girl following fireflies through the woods to her home, and seeing many animals along the way. Her clothing and moccasins are very beautifully depicted. But I found the text uninspiring. I was expecting a story that shed more light onto native american culture. In fact it is a poem, based on Longfellow's Song of Hiawatha, that lists the animals she sees on her journey. It uses the word Wah-wah-taysee, the Chippewa word for firefly. Here is an excerpt:

Magic beetle, bring your glow
to the forest's nighttime show.
Light up the woods so I can see
all that hide, Wah-wah-taysee.
Show me the fox, the wolf, and the hare.
Show me the grizzley's hidden lair.
Reveal the secrets of this night,
Way-way-taysee, with your light.