Butterflies are all colors of the rainbow and exist all over the world, so why not have a multicultural round-up of children’s books as well? We visited the Butterfly Garden exhibit at the Museum of Science, Boston last week, and here is a list of books to round out the visit.
What is your favorite butterfly book for kids? Please share and I’ll add to the list. I especially need non-fiction books!
Butterfly Books for Kids to Enjoy
The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
A beloved classic, the very hungry caterpillar eats an amazing array of different things before turning into a butterfly. [picture book, ages 1 and up]
The Butterfly Alphabet Book (Jerry Pallotta’s Alphabet Books) by Jerry Pallotta
Pallotta’s alphabet books are like mini encyclopedia’s with a plethora of interesting facts on butterflies from A to Z, starting with the Apollo butterfly and ending with the Zephyr Metalmark. [picture book, age 4 and up]
La Mariposa by Francisco Jimenez, illustrated by Simon Silva
Francisco, the son of itinerant workers, starts school not speaking a word of English. It’s hard to pay attention when everything sounds like gibberish and gives him a headache. The classroom pet is a caterpillar and Francisco wonders how it turns into a butterfly. When things are hard at school, he turns to the jar with the caterpillar. When the caterpillar turns into a butterfly, Francisco has a surprise too. His drawing of a butterfly has one first prize and he uses it to make a new friend. [advanced picture book, ages 6 and up]
Gotta Go! Gotta Go! by Sam Swope, illustrated by Sue Riddle
In simple but engaging graphics, a Monarch butterfly caterpillar knows, “I don’t know much, but I know what I know. I gotta go! I gotta go! I gotta go to Mexico!” It’s the perfect introduction of the Monarch butterfly journey for preschoolers! [picture book, ages 3 and up]
Hurry and the Butterfly by Antoine O Flatharta, illustrated by Meilo So
It’s fun to meet a monarch butterfly from the perspective of a wise, old tortoise!
Hurry the tortoise lives in Texas and he after he meets a monarch butterfly traveling north, he dreams of the butterflies’ migration. When the butterflies return, the very same butterfly lays eggs in a nearby milkweed plant. Hurry carefully observes the butterflies’ life-cycle. When the new butterflies emerge, Hurry is there to guide them as they go off to see the world. [picture book, ages 4 and up]
The Butterfly House by Eve Bunting
A granddaughter and her grandfather make a special butterfly house to raise a Painted Lady caterpillar saved from a bird. In a beautiful circle of life, the caterpillar becomes a butterfly and is set free and the little girl becomes a grandmother herself, always visited by butterflies, who perhaps remember her kindness a long time ago. [picture book, ages 4 and up]
The Prince of Butterflies by Bruce Corville, illustrated by John Clapp
11-year-old John Farrington’s life changed forever when monarch butterflies visited his home and pleaded with him to help them find green space. Their habitat had been destroyed and they didn’t know how to find their way. He flew with them (somehow) and this experience led him to study butterflies in college though he could never bear to kill butterflies as specimens. Thirty years later, he persuaded Congress to pass “The Butterfly Road” bill which saved the Monarchs from extinction. [picture book, ages 5 and up]
The Butterfly Boy by Laurence Yep
A gorgeously illustrated picture book, Yep’s story has the feel of a Chinese Folk Tale but it is, in fact, based on the writings of 4th century philosopher Chuang Tzu. Does the boy become a butterfly or does the butterfly become a boy? [advanced picture book, ages 7 and up]
Isabel’s House of Butterflies by Tony Johnston, illustrated by Susan Guevara
The forward:
Deep in the forests of Michoacan, Mexico, in an area about 300 miles square, is a natural sanctuary for monarch butterflies.
Once in secret, but now more openly, loggers are felling the trees. On a smaller scale, people living in deep poverty here sometimes chop down a butterfly tree to sell the wood — to survive.
This is a tough year, un tigre. The beans are few. The ears of corn stubby and small. Will Isabel’s family have to sell their butterfly tree in order to eat? Isabel loves the tree and the butterflies that visit. Or can she come up with an idea to save her beloved tree? [advanced picture book, ages 5 and up]
Kaito’s Cloth by Glenda Millard, illustrated by Gaye Chapman
With the winter days approaching, young Kaito journeys to the Mountain of Dreams to watch her butterflies soar one last time. However, when she reaches her destination after an arduous three-day trek, she is too late. Her butterflies have died. “Weep no more,” says the Lord of Flight, creator of all butterflies. “Only the wings are stilled. Flight is eternal.” Inspired, Kaito has an idea: She takes a silver needle and soft spider’s silk, and sews a pair of wings that take breath in the wind. With her kite, now everyone can enjoy the beauty of a butterfly’s flight all winter long. [picture book, ages 6 and up]
Butterflies for Kiri by Cathryn Falwell
A gift of beautiful origami paper from Kiri’s Auntie Lu seemed like the perfect gift for Kiri since she loves to paint and draw. But when Kiri tries to fold the origami butterfly, she ruins the paper! Origami is a lot harder than it looks! Even though she practices on scrap paper, the origami butterfly eludes her folding skills. One day, inspired by a yellow butterfly , she tries again. This time, though dissatisfied with her painting of a garden, she folds a perfect butterfly. [picture book, ages 5 and up]
Here are directions to fold an Origami Butterfly from Go Origami. Warning: the origami butterfly is intermediate level.
When the Butterflies Came by Kimberley Griffiths Little
When mysterious butterflies begin to arrive shortly after Grammy Claire’s funeral, Tara just knows her grandmother has left her a final mystery to solve. A stack of keys, notes from the beyond, and an ominous secret allow Tara to come to terms with her grandmother’s death, the complexities of her family, and the powers of love and redemption.
Review by Augusta Scattergood.
The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate by Jacqueline Kelly
While this Newbery Honor chapter book is not specifically about butterflies, I’ve included it since Calpurnia (a.k.a. Callie V.) is a budding young naturalist who can whip out the Latin names for many species of plants, insects and animals.
Monarch Butterfly Migration Video
Many of the picture books focused on the Monarch Butterfly migration. This video from the Encyclopedia of Life highlights efforts to tag and conserve the animals. Some monarchs tagged in New Jersey have made it as far as Mexico.
Great Butterfly Book Recommendations from Readers
Thank you to Natalie for this great book recommendation. She says, “There are a few books on this list that I really want to find in our library. There is a new entry in an excellent non-fiction series by Dianna Hutts Aston, it’s called A Butterfly Is Patient.”
A Butterfly is Patient by Dianna Hutts Aston
“A lovely mix of science and wonder.” – Publishers Weekly Starred Review
“Similar butterfly albums abound, but none show these most decorative members of the insect clan to better advantage” – Kirkus Reviews
“This lovely combination of elegant watercolors and lyrical text is both eye-catching and informative” – School Library Journal Starred Review
Thank yout to Ann of Doodles and Jots for recommending Summer Birds. She says, ” I like a picture book called Summer Birds.”
Summer Birds: The Butterflies of Maria Merian by Margarita Engle
In the Middle Ages, people believed that insects were evil, born from mud in a process called spontaneous generation. Maria Merian was only a child, but she disagreed. She watched carefully as caterpillars spun themselves cocoons, which opened to reveal summer birds, or butterflies and moths. Maria studied the whole life cycle of the summer birds, and documented what she learned in vibrant paintings.
This is the story of one young girl who took the time to observe and learn, and in so doing disproved a theory that went all the way back to ancient Greece.
I found this great book recommendation via No Time for Flashcards from her guest author, A Mom With a Lesson Plan:
Velma Gratch and the Way Cool Butterfly is about a little girl who wants desperately to be known for something. When her class begins studying butterflies and even visits a conservatory she finds just how to make herself stand out. I love, love, love how fun this little scientist is and how she becomes known for something she is good at.
Velma Gratch and the Way Cool Butterfly by Alan Madison
A monarch roosts on Velma’s finger on a class trip to the magnificent Butterfly Conservatory and won’t budge for days results in making Velma Gratch unforgettable!
Another great review from Bookworm Bear.
Creating your own Monarch Butterfly rest stop — a common milkweed and nectar plant-filled garden that is free of pesticides and herbicides — can help make a huge impact on the rapid decline of Monarch butterfly populations by providing a safe haven for Monarchs to feed, rest, or lay their eggs.
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Loved the video and watching the amazing migration unfold. Now I am glad to know that the milkweed in my garden serves such a useful purpose.
Barbara Mojica recently posted…A LIFE OF ILLUSION
Hi Barbara,
Let us know when the Monarch butterflies make it to your home! How wonderful to have butterflies visiting your milkweed all summer! And thank you for your kind words!
Pragmatic Mom recently posted…A Multicultural Round Up of Butterfly Books for Kids
Giora
It’s amazing how the caterpillar transforms into a butterfly. I’ll look out for the book Butterflies for Kiri. Origami is cool !
Giora recently posted…New York City
Hi Giora,
I tried to make the origami butterfly but it was so tough for me to figure out. I hope it’s easier for you. Maybe a video on it might help. Let me know if you need a link.
Pragmatic Mom recently posted…A Multicultural Round Up of Butterfly Books for Kids
I LOVE Isabel’s House of Butterflies–it’s so lovely and lyrical (like most of Tony Johnston’s books!)
Thanks for the great list!
Thanks so much Maria! I hope your great recommmendation will help to get kids interested in Isabel’s House of Butterflies! I need to read more of Tony Johnston’s books!
Pragmatic Mom recently posted…A Multicultural Round Up of Butterfly Books for Kids
What a great selection of books. Thanks for the origami instructions, too!
Hi MaryAnne,
I hope you get to experience the Monarch Butterfly migration when you move to Northern California. They descend in Monterey, not too far from where you are headed.
Pragmatic Mom recently posted…Dinosaur T Rex : Not the Fiercest!
Jeanette Nyberg
You know how I love origami. I may just be brave enough to tackle this one. This is a wonderful idea for a roundup!
Jeanette Nyberg recently posted…Exploring Empathy Through Art
Thanks Jeanette,
It was a wonderful realization to find that butterfly themed books seem to turn around the Monarch Butterfly migration with points of view from different cultures. It would make a great social studies unit!
Pragmatic Mom recently posted…Dinosaur T Rex : Not the Fiercest!
Great list! There are a few definitely here for me.
I like a picture book called summer birds.
Ann recently posted…Memory Book for Baby
Hi Ann,
Thanks for your great book recommendation! I’ll add it to the list!
Pragmatic Mom recently posted…Dinosaur T Rex : Not the Fiercest!
There are a few books on this list that I really want to find in our library. There is a new entry in an excellent non-fiction series by Dianna Hutts Aston, it’s called Butterfly Is Patient.
Natalie recently posted…Egypt History Lesson–A Field Trip and a Book
Hi Natalie,
What a great recommendation! Adding it right now!
Pragmatic Mom recently posted…Writing Contest for Elementary Students
What a beautiful collection of butterfly books! I love that they span continents. My daughter loves butterflies so I will be checking some of these out for sure! Thanks for linking up with Creative Kids Cultural Blog Hop.
Yogamama recently posted…Creative Kids Cultural Blog Hop #7
Thanks so much for coming by YogaMama!!
Pragmatic Mom recently posted…A True Tale of Two Cheaters: 30 Years Later
Christy
For fiction butterfly books, my kids liked Clara Caterpillar. For non-fiction they recently read and enjoyed Monarch magic! : butterfly activities & nature discoveries by Lynn M. Rosenblatt. I thought it had a decent amount of information in it. Not too much to scare the kids away but not too simple either.
Christy recently posted…wildflowers, mealybugs and monarchs
Thank you so much Christy for your wonderful book recommendations!!
Pragmatic Mom recently posted…A True Tale of Two Cheaters: 30 Years Later
Hi Mia! What a wonderful collection of books, and I will need to show this video to my five year old! He’d enjoy it very much. Thank you for linking up at Creative Kids Culture Blog Hop #7.
Frances recently posted…$10 Back-to-School Challenge {Operation Christmas Child}
Thanks so much Frances! I’m glad you liked my list. It was seredipity to realize that butterfly books turn around the Monarch Butterfly’s migration and touches on many different cultures and socio economic situations making it a geo political topic.
Pragmatic Mom recently posted…Great Expectations from PickyKidPix and Funny Things Kids Say
We love Isabel\’s House of Butterflies too! Such a great multicultural book and a great conversation starter!
Hi Mary,
Thank you so much for joining us for Multicultural Children’s Book Day. I really enjoyed your post!
Pragmatic Mom recently posted…2014 Newbery, Caldecott, Printz Awards and More!