The Fly - (Disgusting Critters) by Elise Gravel

About the Book

A look at the common housefly. Covers such topics as the hair on the fly's body (requires a lot of shaving), its ability to walk on the ceiling (it's pretty cool, but it's hard to play soccer up there), and its really disgusting food tastes (garbage juice soup followed by dirty diaper with rotten tomato sauce, for example).

Book Synopsis

The first in a series of humorous books about disgusting creatures, The Fly is a look at the common housefly. It covers such topics as the hair on the fly's body (requires a lot of shaving), its ability to walk on the ceiling (it's pretty cool, but it's hard to play soccer up there), and its really disgusting food tastes (garbage juice soup followed by dirty diaper with rotten tomato sauce, for example). Although silly and off-the-wall, The Fly contains factual information that will both amuse and teach at the same time.

Review Quotes

"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

About the Author

ELISE GRAVEL is an award-winning author/illustrator from Quebec. She is the winner of this year's Governor General's Award for Children's Illustration in French, and is well-known in Quebec for her original, wacky picture books. She has published a number of books with US publisher Blue Apple and is currently working on a graphic novel for Roaring Brook Press. Having completed her studies in graphic design, Elise found herself quickly swept up into the glamorous world of illustration. Her old design habits drive her to work a little text here and there into her drawings and she loves to handle the design of her assignments from start to finish. She is inspired by social causes and is likes projects that can handle a good dose of eccentricity.