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I Spy Fly Guy! (by Tedd Arnold)

common sense media says

Fun, fast tale will lure in reluctant readers.

parents & educators say
  • 50% say there are positive messages
  • 33% say there are positive role models
See all 6 reviews | Review it

What parents need to know

Parents need to know there is nothing of concern in this goofy book -- unless the idea of a boy playing with a fly makes you overly squeamish. Kids, of course, won't mind a bit.

Educational value: Not applicable.
Positive messages: Loyalty and friendship are the main themes, and there's family support: Buzz’s father doesn’t ask questions, but races with his son in pursuit of the lost fly.
Positive role models: Buzz is a devoted friend to Fly Guy, understanding of his unique way of playing hide-and-seek and going to great lengths to find him when the garbage truck whisks him away.
Violence & scariness: The fly goes missing in a garbage dump, but is found again.
Our ratings and reviews are informed by child development guidelines. Learn more.

More on I Spy Fly Guy!

What to talk about

Talk to your kids

  • Families can talk about unusual friends. What makes Fly Guy a good pet? How is he a difficult pet to have?

  • Young readers can talk about how they made it through this book. What parts were hard? Easy? Did the pictures help you along?

What's the story?

What's the story?

Buzz and his pet, Fly Guy, are enjoying a game of hide-and-seek when Fly Guy, hiding in a garbage can, is inadvertently whisked off to the dump. Buzz follows in hot pursuit, but needs to figure out how to find his pet Fly Guy among all the buzzing flies at the dump. This is the seventh book in Arnold's Fly Guy series.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

Big print, comic illustrations, a silly premise, and a compact story make this a winner for reluctant readers. Tedd Arnold’s Fly Guy is stinky, dirty, and prone to snacking in the garbage can, but he’s an adoring friend to Buzz. Alert readers will giggle as Buzz searches the dump for his friend, unaware that Fly Guy is sitting on his cap all the while, still playing hide-and-seek. It's a slight book, and the ew factor may put off some parents, but it's a great match for kids -- especially boys -- who are just getting started reading solo.

Bug-eyed characters, funny details, and a healthy dose of gross stuff will delight kids.

Book themes & details

Book Details
Author: Tedd Arnold
Publisher: Cartwheel Books
Publication date: October 1, 2009
Number of pages: 32
Hardcover price: $5.99
Read Aloud: 4
Read Alone: 6
This review was written by Darienne Hosley Stewart
 
 

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What parents & educators say

6
Based on 6 parent & educator reviews:
  • 50% say there are positive messages
  • 33% say there are positive role models
  • 33% say it's educational
Read the reviews

Most useful reviews by all members

Elisha1234
parent of 2 and 3 year old
2
 
I think it is a really good book!
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was this review useful?
helped me decide (5) | had useful details (9) | read my mind (6)
melsbox25
parent of 8 year old
6
 
Love Fly Guy
My son gets the biggest kick out of this series. He can't get enough out of the humor, art, and great reading that Arnold has put together. Keep an eye out for "There was a lady who swallowed a fly". That's our newest addition, and worth it! Yes, the concept is icky... but that's what young boys get into. If it makes him read... I am up for it! 5 stars!
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helped me decide (5) | had useful details (6) | read my mind (6)
huanhuan
adult
15
 
Wonderful. Share a website with you , ( *ionlinemovie* ) Believe you will love it.
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helped me decide (6) | had useful details (5) | read my mind (4)
tdhofstrom
educator and parent of 18 and 22 year old
3
 
Love it! As a librarian, this book is perfect for beginning readers, and as a read-aloud book just for fun. The kindergarten and 1st graders love this series.
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helped me decide (5) | had useful details (5) | read my mind (5)
Diane Main
educator and parent of 7 year old
5
 
I think the Fly Guy series IS educational, since it's a fun way to encourage beginning readers. My son is in kindergarten, and this book is actually rather easy for him, but it is excellent practice and when some of his classmates see him reading it and enjoying the book, it makes them want to move up from simple sight word books to these beginning chapter-style books. Friendship and looking out for someone else are important messages for the age level this book is aimed at.
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helped me decide (3) | had useful details (6) | read my mind (5)
Grandpa Jim
parent
5
 
It's fun to read together!!!
I considerate it educational because my five year old grandson could read it with me. It's fun to read together!!!
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was this review useful?
helped me decide (4) | had useful details (6) | read my mind (3)

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ON: Content is appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child, some content may not be right for some kids
OFF: Not age appropriate for kids this age
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