The Fly (Disgusting Critters)

Gr 1-3--These easy-to-read entrants feature caricature-like cartoon illustrations that appealingly depict worms and flies. The brief text imparts information and is accompanied by chatty asides from the subjects ("I'll have the garbage juice soup for starters..." states a fly as it scans a restaurant menu, while an earthworm, after being told that humans use worms as bait and that some even enjoy eating them, protests, "Delicious? No, no, no!"). Readers will find these titles fun to peruse and will pick up some useful material on the subjects, along with a tasty soupcon of icky-ness.--Patricia Manning, formerly at Eastchester Public Library, NY

Copyright 2014 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

"Rare are nonfiction books that might appeal to a wider audience. The Fly by Elise Gravel (and the Disgusting Critters series to which it belongs) has the potential to do this. Funny, informative, gross, and just plain entertaining, it has a lot going for it .... Fact-filled enough to satisfy those interested in flies, yet with enough charm to grab those who aren't. This is a great entry into a series kids will likely latch onto." - School Library Journal

"Opportunities for jokes abound in The Fly .... Gravel takes obvious joy in detailing the housefly's typical meals, which include such savory delights as garbage-juice soup, dirty diapers, and doggie doo (cue the squeals of revulsion and giggling)." - Quill and Quire

"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 .... This series is a must-read for children who like the world's most unlikeable creatures." - CM Magazine

".... delightfully distressing series ...." - The National Post