The Pesky Fly is a charming and entertaining story by Vance Durrington. It describes what happens when a pesky fly decides to annoy every member of the family, including the dog! Follow this busy, buzzing fellow as he swoops from person to person, disrupting daily routines. Whether he is frightening Gran, taking a bite of the lunch Dad is preparing or making Mom scatter her papers, this fly has quite a big effect for being such a tiny insect. The beautiful watercolor illustrations by Melissa Bailey not only tell the story but provide the perfect comical backdrop to the words themselves. Children will enjoy repeating, “Go away pesky fly!” as they read along with this delightful story and find out what finally happens to that fly.

Have you ever been simply trying to enjoy a beautiful day, a juicy apple, a good book, or a quiet moment and suddenly an annoying insect ruined it? I’m sure we all have. That is the background for The Pesky Fly by Vance Durrington. It is a delightful story that children will love to have read to them, especially when they can jump in on hollering at the pesky fly. This book would be perfect for classrooms and for family fun times. I loved Melissa Bailey’s watercolor illustrations; they are beautiful, skillful, and hilarious all at the same time. As children experience this book, I’m sure they will want to trace the pesky fly’s trail through the family and right to the end.