Monarch Butterfly (New & Updated)

by Gail Gibbons (Author)

Reading Level: K − 1st Grade
Introduce young readers to the fascinating and colorful process of how caterpillars become butterflies. As we follow the transformation of a tiny white egg laid on a leaf to a brilliantly-colored butterfly, award-winning writer and artist Gail Gibbons uses bright, detailed watercolors to illustrate the life cycle of the monarch butterfly, stage by stage. Young readers can follow along and learn as the monarch grows, changes, and takes flight, in this simple introduction to a process studied by many school children. With clear, labeled diagrams and simple text that defines and reinforces important vocabulary, Monarch Butterfly introduces key concepts of insect anatomy and behavior. And of course, the unique migration of the monarch--which can range up to four thousand miles--is covered, with descriptions of how the insects travel, and how people in their path celebrate the occasion. This best-selling look at butterflies also includes labelled instructions about how to hatch your own monarch butterfly, and a page of fun facts.
Select format:
Hardcover
$18.99

School Library Journal

Starred Review

Gr 1-4--There are many offerings about the monarch butterfly, but this new and updated version of the 1989 title stands out because of its clear, descriptive explanation of how monarchs grow and develop. The illustrations work seamlessly to support and enhance the words, and the text's use of numbers helps readers understand the monarch butterfly's life cycle. Readers who are familiar with Gibbons's other titles will recognize her engaging, informative style. The narrative quickly focuses on the setting: "It's summertime in North America. A breeze stirs the stem of the milkweed plant." The text then proceeds to break down the process of how a monarch egg is laid on a milkweed plant, hatches, molts, forms a chrysalis, and migrates. New vocabulary is explained and used within the descriptive text. There are two notable features. The first is the description of the processes of molting and metamorphosis. On the verso, an illustration shows a caterpillar beginning to molt. On the recto, there are four sequential illustrations that depict the process. Observant readers will spot interesting details that illuminate the text. The explanation of metamorphosis is featured in a remarkable eight-page sequence. The vivid prose that accompanies this sequence is informative. A second commendable feature is the use of numbers throughout. Readers learn data-based facts, including how fast and how far the butterflies travel. A collection of illustrated facts is found in the back matter. VERDICT An outstanding choice for instructional use and enjoyable reading.--Myra Zarnowski, City Univ. of New York

Copyright 2021 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Review quotes

★ Readers who are familiar with Gibbons's other titles will recognize her engaging, informative style. . . . An outstanding choice for instructional use and enjoyable reading. —School Library Journal, Starred Review
Gail Gibbons
According to The Washington Post, Gail Gibbons "has taught more preschoolers and early readers about the world than any other children's writer-illustrator." The multi award-winning Ms. Gibbons is the author of more than 100 books for young readers, including the bestselling titles From Seed to Plant and Monarch Butterfly. Her many honors include the Regina Medal, the Washington Post/Children's Book Guild Nonfiction Award and the NSTA Outstanding Science Trade Book Award.
Classification
Non-fiction
ISBN-13
9780823448319
Lexile Measure
-
Guided Reading Level
-
Publisher
Holiday House
Publication date
January 12, 2021
Series
-
BISAC categories
JNF003120 - Juvenile Nonfiction | Animals | Insects, Spiders, etc.
JNF037020 - Juvenile Nonfiction | Science & Nature | Environmental Conservation & Protection
JNF051050 - Juvenile Nonfiction | Science & Nature | Biology
Library of Congress categories
Monarch butterfly

Subscribe to our delicious e-newsletter!