In my nearly four years of writing book reviews for Laura’s Books and Blogs, I have reviewed dozens of picture books. They’re not as popular in the blogging world as some of the more BookTok-friendly genres, but they’re equally important additions to the book world.
One picture book author continues to appear on my site: Karen Wyle. I have now reviewed four of Wyle’s books because I believe that she has cracked the code to writing a good picture book. They’re gentle, well-drawn, and short but sweet tales that take place in calm yet interesting worlds.
In her latest edition to the picture book genre, Wyle writes about a summer evening between a father and daughter and how the season and their outside surroundings play into the girl’s bedtime routine. Below is my review of this book, Where Fireflies Sleep, followed by an interview with Wyle.
Where Fireflies Sleep book summary
Where Fireflies Sleep takes place on a summer night in June. The season is new, and a father and his daughter, Molly, sit on their front porch swing waiting for the fireflies to come out. Their front yard is a standard picturesque secluded yet safe spot. You can almost hear the crickets chirping as the sky darkens with each turn of the page.
As the fireflies come out, Molly has questions for her father about where the glowing bugs sleep and when. She’s essentially stalling her own impending bedtime until her father scoops her up and takes her for her bath after which she changes into her pajamas, brushes her teeth, and gets tucked in. But she and her father decide to say one last goodbye to the fireflies before she falls asleep.
The characters
Molly and her father are the sole human characters of the story. Joined by a yellow cat who explores the yard in the background or perches on the front porch railing as Molly and her dad swing in their seat, the curious cat brings that additional background movement that I love to see in picture books.
Molly and her father have an idyllic relationship. She is gentle and curious. Her father is protective and patient. And of course, the fireflies make their grand entrance and are shown from multiple angles, from detailed close ups to simple glowing lights in the dark brush of the yard.
The illustrations
Illustrator Barbara Dessi, who also illustrated my favorite Wyle book, When It’s Winter, does a perfect job of portraying a darkening landscape and the bright yet quiet glow of the fireflies who illuminate tiny corners of the yard. I love the detail that she puts into the back porch, making it clean yet feel real, with a stray toy left on the steps and potted cacti situated on the windowsill.
The message
The message of this story is very gentle and tame. It’s essentially just a bedtime book that sets a sleepy mood and reminds kids that essentially everyone their age is supposed to go to bed when they do.
Molly too hopes to prolong the time that she is awake by stalling to say goodnight to the fireflies at her bedroom window. Even her father can’t help but head back out onto the porch alone to do the same after she is in bed.
For parents, I think it drives home the point that time spent together can be as simple as sitting on the front porch enjoying nature. Entertainment can come in the most simple situations, and this screenless existence can have a calming effect, particularly when it means getting to stay up until after it gets dark.
My recommendation
I recommend Where Fireflies Sleep as an addition to any kid’s bedtime book collection. It’s particularly the perfect book for fathers and daughters to read together given the relationship between the two main characters.
I’ve never been disappointed by a book written by Wyle. Her ability to tie in a simplistic natural environment with universal themes that are easy to understand and pulls kids from our usual chaotic world into a more calm and idyllic one is ever impressive. And this book is another example of that talent.
My rating
Also check out my reviews of Wyle’s other books here.
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An interview with Karen A. Wyle
How long did it take to write this story?
The first draft, written decades ago, didn’t take long at all. When I acquired an agent and prepared the manuscript for her use, that version differed very little from the initial draft. (About a year later I tried a version with more counting in it, but it didn’t contribute to the mood I wanted the story to create.)
Once I decided to publish the book, I tinkered with it over several weeks. Then I made at least one tweak to the text based on an illustration Barb sent me. (I loved the illustration more than my original wording).
What was the most fun part of writing Where Fireflies Sleep? The most challenging?
It’s been so long that I’d have to guess what was most fun and most difficult about writing the initial draft. Once I revived the book and started working with Barb, it was a thrill and a delight to receive new sketches and full illustrations. The most challenging part was explaining myself clearly when I wanted her to tweak some element. (You’d think I’d be good at that. Sigh.).
What is your relationship with fireflies? Why did you want to feature them in your latest story?
I’ve loved fireflies as long as I can remember. I moved to the west coast when I was eight years old, and when I moved to Indiana many years later, I was deeply glad to live in firefly country again. Fireflies fill me with wonder, and it felt natural to feature them in a story for children, especially one in which a child played such an important role.
Parents in stories usually know everything, but Molly’s father admits when he doesn’t know the answer to a question. Was this an intentional choice?
It’s been long enough that I have to reconstruct my thought process, but the earliest draft I have already includes the father saying that he doesn’t know when the very last firefly goes to sleep. I probably assumed there was no way to know that, and made a virtue of necessity.
When I started preparing the book for publication, I did try to find out a little more, and when what I learned didn’t neatly fit the narrative, I leaned into the uncertainty. Still, I have never believed that parents – or anyone else – should pretend to have expertise they lack. So, I’d say it was a little of both, intentional and circumstantial.
Did you have any direction or suggestions for the illustrator, Barbara Dessi?
I didn’t have any illustration notes to start with, beyond what’s included in the text. Barb and I had many email exchanges about details of the illustrations. (Barb has been amazingly patient with me.)
Do you want your readers to take away a specific message from this story?
I’m not pushing an explicit message, but I hope the book reminds readers how precious these family moments can be and how much wonder there is to be found in the natural world around us.
Did you have any nighttime rituals when you were Molly’s age, particularly any summer rituals?
I don’t remember any specific summer rituals, but I’m pretty sure my parents read to me every night.
Do you have a favorite page?
I am very bad at picking a single favorite of anything. I can say that my favorite line is the last line in the story, which I’m not going to spoil here. As for illustrated pages, my favorites would include the “When do they sleep” page; the wordless two-page spread of fireflies on and under leaves; Molly reaching for her father to be picked up; Molly squeezing her bear; and Molly’s father holding her in front of the window.
Author links
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Buy it!
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