FIREFLIES, FIREFLIES, LIGHT MY WAY
by Jonathan London & illustrated by Linda Messier
The luminosity of Messier's acrylic paintings is a perfect complement to the theme of a magical night journey. London's simple verse variations (``Fireflies, fireflies, light my way./Lead me to the place . . . where the turtles play'') are sometimes limp and sometimes forced, but they achieve a narrative thrust as they lead a child deeper into the heart of the forest. There are dangers as well as spectacles there, but the child uses the verse as an incantation against the alligator's roar as well as a summons to the otters. A fortunate match of the author of Master Elk and the Mountain Lion (1995) and an illustrator new to picture books. (Picture book. 3-8)