My Book of Butterflies

by Geraldo Valério (Author)

My Book of Butterflies
Reading Level: 4th − 5th Grade

This stunning exploration of butterflies from around the world is a companion to My Book of Birds

Geraldo Valério grew up in Brazil, watching white butterflies visit the vegetable patch behind his house. As he got older, he learned more about these unique and beautiful insects, which can be found on every continent except Antarctica. In this gorgeous album, Geraldo presents his favorite butterfly species from around the world. Paint and paper collage illustrations show the butterflies in flight, sipping nectar, laying eggs and resting among flowers and foliage. The text provides fascinating information about each species -- from familiar Monarchs and Giant Swallowtails, to dazzling Blue Morphos and tiny Snowflakes, from beautifully patterned European Peacocks to endangered Queen Alexandra's Birdwings. Colorful endpapers, showing the butterflies as caterpillars and chrysalides, complete this beautiful book for budding young naturalists. Includes an introduction, world map, fully illustrated spreads showing a butterfly's life cycle and body parts, as well as a glossary, index and suggestions for further reading. 

Select format:
Hardcover
$24.99

Kirkus

Starred Review

A visual treat.

School Library Journal

Starred Review
PreS-Gr 1–This beautifully illustrated and informative picture book introduces readers to a variety of butterflies found around the world. A brief introduction by the author describes his connection to the topic by explaining how he grew up watching the butterflies and caterpillars in his family’s vegetable garden in their yard. This is followed by a clearly illustrated and labeled explanation of the stages of metamorphosis—the butterfly’s life cycle. The majority of the book consists of illustrations and descriptions of a wide range of butterflies, large and small. These descriptions appeal to the reader’s five senses and help promote understanding. For example, a description of the Rocky Mountain Parnassian describes the sound it makes: “These butterflies are fast flyers whose strong wings make a flapping sound as they zip through the mountain meadows where they live.” The illustrations, created with paper collage, acrylic, and colored pencil, are clearly showstoppers and work beautifully with the text. Back matter includes a short glossary, recommended sources and websites, and an index. The endpapers are also worth studying. The front ones show the butterfly’s caterpillar form, while the back ones show the mature butterfly.VERDICT A wonderful book to use when studying animals and how they adapt to their environment, but also an excellent model of how to skillfully present information in an appealing way. Also, a great book for browsing. --Myra Zarnowski, City Univ. of New York , Sep 01, 2021

Copyright 2021 School Library Journal, LLC, Used with permission.
Classification
Non-fiction
ISBN-13
9781773063355
Lexile Measure
1070
Guided Reading Level
-
Publisher
Groundwood Books
Publication date
August 03, 2021
Series
-
BISAC categories
JNF051150 - Juvenile Nonfiction | Science & Nature | Zoology
JNF003250 - Juvenile Nonfiction | Animals | Butterflies, Moths & Caterpillars
JNF051050 - Juvenile Nonfiction | Science & Nature | Biology
Library of Congress categories
Butterflies

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