Monarch Butterflies

February 15, 2021
Uniting the three countries of North America is the majestic, jewellike monarch butterfly. This engaging book highlights the fascinating life cycle of these striking insects and follows the nearly 3,000-mile kaleidoscopic journey millions of monarchs make from Canada and the United States to central Mexico. The flow of information is smooth and facilitates intuitive learning in an attention-grabbing format. Interspersed with succinct and easily digestible miniparagraphs are magnified inserts and unifying factoids in orange and yellow bubbles. The full-page diagrams of the caterpillar, chrysalis, and butterfly are inviting and descriptive. Hobbie's brief overview of the milkweed ecosystem and the monarch predators that are part of it is perfect for initiating classroom discussion. She discusses how the arriving butterflies coincide with Mexico's Day of the Dead and are considered "a symbol of the spirits of the dead coming back to visit." Baumert's precise and exquisite illustrations flawlessly support and enhance the text. Her vibrant color palette slowly evolves from the bright greens of spring and monarch caterpillars to the oranges of fall and migrating butterflies. The final section describes the dangers threatening the monarchs' survival, including loss of habitat, and provides suggested projects for citizen scientists. Also included are advocacy opportunities, enrichment activities, a glossary, and websites. Unfortunately, in an apparent oversight, Hobbie relocates Mexico to Central America in the backmatter. (This book was reviewed digitally with 11-by-22-inch double-page spreads viewed at actual size.) An important wake-up call to help stem the decline of these monarchs of the skies. (Informational picture book. 5-9)

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April 1, 2021

Gr 1-5-Nonfiction units are an important part of the elementary school curriculum, and butterflies are certainly in the top five perennial subjects. Hobbie's title ticks off all the boxes. The text is beautifully illustrated and packed with fascinating facts. A wide variety of topics is detailed. For example, caterpillars have terrible eyesight, but butterflies have excellent vision. Readers will be amazed to learn, "The caterpillar will grow to 2,000 times its original size!" Close-up diagrams of the caterpillar, chrysalis, and butterfly introduce new words such as spiracles, hemolymph, and frass (caterpillar poop). Migration, lifespan, food, and predators are also explained. A final section discusses how children can help monarchs and grow their own, cautioning against ordering kits online. Colorful pictures of insects, wildlife, milkweed varieties, and other alluring blooms illuminate the text. A table of contents, an index, a glossary, labeled diagrams, maps, sidebars, and further resources are included. VERDICT This informative and striking butterfly book is a worthy addition to all collections.-Barbara Auerbach, Cairo P.L., NY

Copyright 2021 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

March 26, 2021
Grades 1-3 This simple, matter-of-fact account of the monarch butterfly's life cycle and annual migration is distinguished by Barmert's visually appealing, precisely detailed illustrations. Notable here, too, are Hobbie's sensible suggestions that young naturalists devote their energies to observing local butterflies and planting wildflower patches rather than trying to raise mail-order insects or species of milkweed that may not be native to their areas. Having made those points, though, the author does provide instructions for raising a found caterpillar in a jar and safely releasing the mature insect. She also provides leads to curriculum guides, more information about nurturing the butterflies, notes on how to track their migration, and even some facts about conservation efforts in Mexico and Day of the Dead customs. The well-labeled illustrations help break down even the more complicated concepts for younger readers and introduce creatures that share the monarch's habitat. A fresh introduction to a common and colorful backyard visitor.

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