"The authors offer a sparkling, shorter version of Martin's first book, a warm story about identity and belonging," wrote PW. Ages 3-7. (Sept.) Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.

PreS-Gr 1-A very old-fashioned story (first self-published by Martin in 1945) gets modern yet retro treatment in this snazzy book. A nondescript squeegy bug meets Buzzer the Bumblebee and says, "I'd like to be a bumblebee and carry a stinger in my tail, too." Buzzer tells him he first has to "-climb to the sky" to get silver wings. Squeegy climbs to the top of a cattail, meets a helpful caterpillar and, when he meets Haunchy the Spider, gets his wings-and something better than a stinger for his tail. Like Munro Leaf's The Story of Ferdinand (Viking, 1936) and many other classics, this story has a definite message. It's about nonviolence, persistence, and the importance of having an identity and a purpose. But the didacticism probably won't get in the way of children's enjoyment of the somewhat rambling story, which has the tone of an impromptu bedtime tale told by a clever and loving parent. And the pictures (all produced digitally) are wonderful. Picture Daniel Kirk's "Miss Spider" a little cooler, calmer, more surreal, and you get an idea of the look. Children will be fascinated by bits of shiny-coated paper, unusual perspectives, and imaginative details (the picture in the caterpillar's house, for example, shows a proud butterfly holding a little caterpillar's hand). The publisher has set up a corresponding interactive Web site for this title. The book may not have enough originality or heart to be an essential purchase, but it will find an audience in public libraries.-Lauralyn Persson, Wilmette Public Library, IL Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.

In the style of a pourquoi tale, the authors have crafted an explanation about how fireflies came to be. The one-of-a-kind squeegy bug knows he isn't an ant, cricket, or flea. In fact, he doesn't know what to call himself. When he meets Buzzer the Bumblebee, who has a stinger in his tail, the squeegy bug decides he would like to be a bee, too. He follows Buzzer's advice and climbs toward the sky looking for a pair of silver wings like Buzzer's. Caught in a rainstorm at the top of a cattail, he seeks help from the kindly caterpillar. The two travel to Haunchy the spider's castle of webs to ask for a pair of wings, which he shapes from threads spun on his spinning wheel. It is Haunchy who points out that the bug isn't a bumblebee and wasn't meant to have a stinger. He pulls the brightest star from the sky, hangs it on the bug's tail, and christens him Squeegy the Firefly, the Lamplighter of the Sky. Originally written when he was an Air Force Sergeant at the end of WWII, Martin's (Rock It, Sock It, Number Line, p. 1128, etc.) illustrator was his brother Bernard. In this reissue, Corrigan's illustrations are marvelously detailed, from Haunchy's elaborate turban and king's robe, to the acorn lantern of the top-hat-wearing caterpillar. Illustrations aside, it is plain that this was written before Martin really hit his stride with his perfectly cadenced rhymes. However, there will always be an audience for a new Bill Martin Jr., and this one fills the bill. (Picture book. 4-8)

Primary-grade teachers will find this useful for units on bugs.” —Booklist