Fireflies in the Night by Judy Hawes and Kazue Mizumura

How do fireflies light up the night? It's a process scientists are still investigating, but this very accessible book for young children provides some of the answers through the eyes of a young boy who collects them in a jar to make his own cool light lantern. The book offers interesting facts about the use of these insects in lanterns in Japanese gardens, in operations and jungles, their mating habits, as well as some information on the chemicals they use to light up. Illustrator, Kazue Mizumura, employs accurate scientific pictures of them as well as beautiful water colour scenes of gardens and jungles. This is the Crowell Crocodile Edition published in 1976. The book was first published in 1963 and has recently been revised and reprinted using the illustrations of Ellen Alexander. This time the protagonist is a young girl.

Firefly lanterns in a Japanese garden