Tiger Moth and the Dragon Kite Contest (Graphic Sparks)

Aaron Reynolds loves bugs and loves books, so Tiger Moth was a perfect blend of both. Reynolds is the author of several great books for kids, including Chicks and Salsa, which Publishers Weekly called a literary fandango. Reynolds had no idea what fandango meant. After looking it up in the dictionary, he learned the word means playful and silly behavior. Reynolds hopes to write several more fandangos in the future. He lives near Chicago with his wife, two kids, and four insect obsessed cats.

Grade 1–4—Tiger Moth, fourth grade insect ninja, and his sidekick, Kung Pow the faithful pillbug, are back fighting evil in this graphic novel (Stone Arch, 2006) written by Aaron Reynolds and illustrated by Eric Lervold. The ruthless Fruit Fly Boys are ruining the Antennae Elementary School kite flying contest by ripping through the other kites with their fighting kite. Tiger Moth flies up into the sky disguised as a kite and discovers that one of the Fruit Fly Boys is disguised as a fighting kite. After a quick battle in the air, Tiger Moth delivers the troublemaker to Principal Pincers who gives them detention and disqualifies them from the contest. Beginning readers can listen to the narration and read along, or the sound can be turned off and the story can be navigated manually. There are some sound effects and background music. Some of the bright comic book style illustrations move slightly to simulate animation. Notes about the author and illustrator, a glossary, information about the history of kites, and discussion questions are included at the end of the story but are not read aloud. This humorous tale will appeal to reluctant readers.—Teresa Wittmann, Westgate Elementary School, Edmonds, WA
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