Eric Carle's book, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, is a cute book, but he did us all a disservice when he wrote that butterflies come out of cocoons. Butterflies hatch out of chrysalis, moths hatch out of cocoons. This book by Sam Swope has the correct information.
You'll love it, your kids will love it, and your kid's science teachers will love it when your child already knows one of the major differences between butterflies and moths.
The story has a winsome sing-song refrain ("I gotta go, I gotta go, I gotta go to Mexico!") that children will love, and simple engaging line drawings. I'm impressed that the basic science in the story is accurately presented - the stages of the butterfly's life, its migration, its mating (gingerly and sweetly handled as a "dance" between butterflies) and its eventual return home.
My daughter loved this so much we donated a copy to her pre-school, where they watch monarch butterflies hatch in a terrarium every year. A big hit with the 3-to-5-crowd!
Wonderful because it tells a true 'nature story' in such a whimsical way.Orange and Brown Fills the Sky...... My first grade loved this book. The repetitive phrase every few pages about going to Mexico is one they enjoyed reciting with me. The beautifully painted pictures allow children and adults to enjoy the obstacle-filled mandatory journey (to survive) for the determined little butterfly. The complete life cycle of the butterfly is wonderfully presented and easy to recall. (The book I had also included a note that the butterfly refuge in Mexico where all Monarchs must winter for survival, is slowly being torn down.) An opportunity for letter writing and involvement to help save the delicate and beautifully colored orange and brown little wonders could certainly complete this incredible journey into the life of the Monarch.
