You’re Invited to a Moth Ball: A Nighttime Insect Celebration
by Loree Griffin Burns, Photographs by Ellen Harasimowicz
Charlesbridge (April 7, 2020)
Nonfiction * Butterflies/Moth/Caterpillars * Citizen Scientist
Audience: Ages 6 to 9
Indiebound | WorldCat
Description from GoodReads:
RSVP and have a ball--a moth ball--while studying moths in your own backyard!Kids are usually asleep when moths come out at night. But discovering the diverse moth population is simple--stay up late and set up a party for moths! Nature centers and museums host events called moth balls each summer, but kids can create their own right at home. Captivating photographs show how to lure in moths to study them. Direct address to the reader shows kids the magic of science found at home.
Quick thoughts on the book:
In my first year of teaching in California, I was introduced to silk worms. There was a mulberry tree near my classroom so when it was suggested that we study the life cycle of a moth in my class, I went along with it. Honestly, I had no idea what to expect. I don’t recall studying live moths or butterflies in school and I wasn’t much of an entomologist. Looking back on those days, I wish I had more resources and definitely would have loved to have had Loree Griffin Burn’s You’re Invited to a Moth Ball: A Nighttime Insect Celebration in my book collection.
You’re Invited to a Moth Ball literally invites kids to plan a party to find and observe moths at night. Readers learn about moths, how they are different from butterflies, what will party food is particularly interesting to moths, and what type of lights will best attract them to your party. Additionally, young readers learn what tools are best to have at the Moth Ball.
With simple, engaging text, Burns teaches children how to observe moths and be respectful of their new friends, and to celebrate the wildlife around them.
Resources at the end of the book include an author’s note, photographer’s note, glossary and additional readings and websites. For more of Ellen Harasimowicz’s pictures of moths click here.
Teachers - During this time of distance learning, you may want to share this beautiful book and a few videos with your students. Here are just two of the videos that I found.
Butterfly or Moth? (SciShow Kids):
Why Moths are Obsessed with Lamps | National Geographic:
And during this time of #stayhomestaysafe, consider supporting your local indie bookstores .
About the author: Loree is an award-winning writer whose books for young people have won many accolades, including ALA Notable designations, a Boston Globe-Horn Book Honor Book Award, an IRA Children’s Book Award, a Green Earth Book Award and two Science Books & Films (SB&F) Prizes. She holds a Ph.D. in biochemistry and her books draw heavily on both her passion for science and nature and her experiences as a working scientist. Loree is the author of Life on Surtsey: Iceland's Upstart Island, Citizen Scientist: Be a Part of Scientific Discovery in Your Own Back Yard, and Beetle Busters: A Rogue Insect and the People Who Track It. She lives with her family in central New England.
Visit Loree online. Follow her on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
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