The Mystery of the Monarchs by Barb Rosenstock illustrated by Erika Meza*

 Ms. Rosenstock presents the life of Canadian Fred Urquhart-from his early interest in bugs to his tenacious search where monarchs go during the winter. This picture book reveals the importance of perseverance and ordinary people, and  how one person can make a difference.

The illustrator lives in Mexico!

Lots of background information about monarchs and other interesting information in the author's note and illustrator's note.

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.

The Girl Who Drew Butterflies by Joyce Sidman**

As soon as I saw the beautiful end pages, I was excited to read this biography about Maria Merian.
She pursued the study of insects in the 1600's when erroneous conclusions had been made about them and also when women were discouraged from participating in any activities other than housekeeping and raising a family.
Her talent in art and making paints enabled her to draw her observations and earn a living.
Her careful observations and drawings still assist scientists today!

The book proclaims how much research and time Ms. Sidman placed in creating this book.  She inserts pages about the time period so the reader can understand the mindset and the culture at that time.  She also includes a photograph of a caterpillar slowly transforming into a butterfly at the heading of each chapter.  Its stage directly correlates to the stage Maria is experiencing in life.  Very clever!
Beautiful art is included by Maria and other painters at that time.
Points to discuss: divorce (Maria leaves her husband), slavery in Suriname, witch hangings; suicide and abortion (the slaves would try to end their lives to escape their horrible situations and also try to end their children's lives so they would not have to born into slavery).
Pair with Summer Birds: The Butterflies of Maria Merian by Margarita Engle (a picture book)

**Highly, highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.

Summer Birds by Margarita Engle illustrated by Julie Paschkis

The Butterflies of Maria Merian
Thirteen year old Maria did not fear insects or other small creatures like most people did at that time.  People also feared the natural process of metamorphosis.   Instead she choose to observe and draw them.  Thanks to her diligence and curiosity, we now know that butterflies, moths and frogs do not form from mud and also that they are not evil!
This story is told from Maria's point of view (first person).  Although the text is sparse, the reader learns a lot!
A great book to use during a butterfly unit.
-Borrowed from the library.

Butterflies of the East Coast by Rick Cech and Guy Tudor*

An Observer's Guide
My six year old and I loved this field guide!  It is large (so it is not ideal to lug into the garden or take along on nature walks)-8 1/2 by 11 inches but the photos and descriptors are all on one page.  The authors also divided the butterfly types into categories.
My six year old loved, loved paging through this book, reading the maps to see which butterflies can be found in our state.  We even learned a new word together (extirpated!).
Unfortunately this book is out of print and would cost at least $60 to buy "used".   I am going to look for it at used book sales at libraries.
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.

Butterflies Through Binoculars The East by Jeffrey Glassberg

A Field Guide to the Butterflies of Eastern North America
This field guide will fit nicely into a backpack or small bag.
The plates (photos) are small but close up, allowing the butterfly watcher to quickly identify it.
The photos are in the back and separate from the butterfly's description/habit/host plants etc.
My six year old and I did not like that the photos were separate from the descriptors.
-Borrowed from the library.
It is still in print and would cost around $30.

A Butterfly is Patient by Dianna Hutts Aston illustrated by Sylvia Long*

I love, love books created by this team!
The illustrations are soft, realistic and just plain gorgeous.
Each page has a descriptive sentence and then supports that main idea sentence with facts about butterflies.
Lots of ways to use this book in the classroom:

• word choice/expanding vocab.
• text features
• main idea/details
• for any butterfly unit

I love the end pages-in the beginning the illustrations are of unique caterpillars and then the back end pages Ms. Long has drawn to what butterflies they have transformed!
http://www.amazon.com/Butterfly-Patient-Dianna-Hutts-Aston/dp/0811864790

Check out all the books created by this team:
An Egg is Quiet
A Seed is Sleepy
A Rock is Lively
most recent: A Nest is Noisy
Highly recommend adding them to a classroom or home library!

Ten Little Caterpillars by Bill Martin Jr. illustrated by Lois Ehlert*

This counting book introduces the vocabulary of "first, second, third" etc. up to ten.
Lovely illustrations by Ms. Ehlert, of course!
At the end there are five pages that depict the number, the corresponding caterpillar and butterfly/moth and shares what it eats.
*highly recommend.

The Furry Caterpillar by Felicia Law illustrated by Claire Philpott and Karen Radford

Bamboo and Friends series
Bamboo, the panda, uses the caterpillar as a pillow.  Beak, a bird, wants to eat him.  As the friends watch the caterpillar transform they have a nice surprise.
Facts about caterpillars and their metamorphosis are in smaller font on pages.
Perfect way to introduce nonfiction for toddlers.

Handle With Care An Unusual Butterfly Journey by Loree Griffin Burns photographs by Ellen Harasimowicz*

This book shares how butterflies are raised on a farm in Costa Rica at El Bosque Nuevo and then shipped to  the Museum of Science in Boston.
Amazing photographs!  The photographs alone are worth reading/purchasing the book.  I especially love the end page photographs.
Great for caterpillar/butterfly units.
*Highly recommend.
Text features: map, photographs, diagrams, picture captions, insect/life cycle page, insect words, glossary, further reading, index

Velma Gratch and the Way Cool Butterfly by Alan Madison illustrated by Kevin Hawkes

Velma is the youngest of three sisters.  Teachers at her school remember her sisters for specific accomplishments.  Velma strives to be known for something.  This "something" comes in the form of science and their study of butterflies.
I liked the descriptive language and attention to detail (even the end pages are creative!  Check out Velma's hair position at the front end pages compared to the back end pages).
Skill: word choice