Butterfly Picture Books
Butterflies are one of nature’s wonders! Their miraculous life cycle and delicate beauty have made them into important metaphors for everything from difficult journeys to first-day jitters. Celebrate butterflies both literal and figurative with these beautiful picture books that all highlight our flying friends.
Experience the transformative journey of a child along the migration route of monarch butterflies in this beautiful homage to both nature and immigration, with breathtaking illustrations from Caldecott Honor-winning artist Juana Martinez-Neal.
The journey looms long and dangerous, but Mariposa is not migrating alone. Every year when the cold winter months threaten, monarch butterflies embark on an incredible migratory journey from the northern United States and Canada to the warmer climates of southern California and Mexico. Every year, humans migrate too. For survival. For family. For a better life. The path will not be easy. Will Mariposa find the way to the warmth and safety of home?
Critically acclaimed author Belen Medina explores the interconnectedness of monarchs and migrants while richly textured artwork from Caldecott Honor recipient Juana Martinez-Neal creates a visually breathtaking odyssey.. An author’s note provides additional context about the indigenous Mazahua people of Mexico and their interactions with the monarch butterfly, as well as more information about the butterflies’ migratory routes and conservation status.
The butterfly rises and glides, traveling from flower to flower as it sips nectar and spreads pollen. But before its adult life can begin, each butterfly must complete a magnificent journey. Starting as a tiny egg beneath a leaf, the butterfly’s life is marked by change. The tender caterpillar hatches, grows, and molts. The chrysalis protects and transforms. Finally, the butterfly emerges, flapping its wings dry before lifting into the air for its first flight.
Lyrical and informative and with beautiful artwork, this stunning picture book highlights the wonder in each stage of a butterfly’s amazing life cycle, and includes informative bonus material about creating your own butterfly garden.
Monarchs are a favorite and familiar North American butterfly, and their incredible annual migration has captured the popular imagination for generations. As populations of monarchs decline dramatically due to habitat loss and climate change, interest in and enthusiasm for protecting these beloved pollinators has skyrocketed.
As the book considers how human behavior has harmed monarchs, it offers substantive ways kids can help make a positive difference. Children will learn how to turn lawns into native plant gardens, become involved in citizen science efforts such as tagging migrating monarchs and participating in population counts, and support organizations that work to conserve butterflies.
Rosie can’t wait to start kindergarten—she’s had her pencils sharpened and her backpack ready for weeks. But suddenly, on the night before the big day, her tummy hurts. Rosie’s mom reassures her that it’s just butterflies in her belly, and she’ll feel better soon. Much to Rosie’s surprise, when she says hello to a new friend on the bus, a butterfly flies out of her mouth! As the day goes on, Rosie frees all her butterflies, and even helps another shy student let go of hers, too.
A caterpillar hatches. It eats and eats . . . and grows into a butterfly that flits and floats across the sky. This unique book features graduated flaps that display each stage of metamorphosis at a glance; turn each flap to reveal engaging facts that kids will love.