It's always fun and an ego boost to have an author ask you to review their book, even more so when they aren't aware of a connection you have with the topic. At the last school I taught at before retirement, a self-contained class created and maintained a butterfly garden that, lucky me, was right outside my classroom door. As a result, I got to see some of the processes detailed here with my own eyes. That said, even I learned a thing or two here, so don't hesitate thinking you surely know all this.
We first meet Arlo when he's stuck in the container we see on the cover. The children who put him there were well meaning but it put him in danger. What kind of danger? To be simplistic, of not being able to go through metamorphosis to become a majestic monarch butterfly. Colorfully illustrated the colors and settings suggesting spring and the time of growth and rebirth, the drawings will pull you in as you enjoy the flowers and colors. I absolutely loved that rather than just reading about Arlo, children are urged to take part in several interactive tasks, pulling them in as actual participants of the story. I found myself grinning as I imagined the books being turned upside down and shaken and the stomping and clapping the readers would so enjoy taking part in. The text is easy to read and doesn't talk down to readers, instead making them an active participant in Arlo's transformation.
Important facts are subtly shared, such as why Arlo's initial rescue really wasn't a rescue and how to help not just Arlo but butterflies thrive. Illustrator Olga Sall did an excellent job showing us the steps, including the eventual chrysalis in different types of weather and even when, yikes, threatened by things like birds and a praying mantis. You'll also see the special kind of plant/flower caterpillar's need to gain the strength for their eventual change. It was fun to see the chrysalis being formed in different stages then follow it through the about 14 days needed for Arlo to reemerge but, oh, my, with a lovely new look. This is where the stomping and clapping come into play, btw, as children help keep Arlo safe from predators. Knowing how impatient even adults can be, I definitely appreciated the reminder that this was something Arlo needed to do on his own, so don't try to help him with his new wings.
Bottom line, a fun guide to one of the things most of us have heard of but really not seen that manages to engage both the children's attention and participation. This would make a wonderful gift for a science teacher or anyone with an interest in such things. It's never too soon to engage children in not just being fascinated by nature but showing them how to focus that interesst. As such, kudos to the author for including a "Did you know...." type list at the end regarding the butterfly's role in our ecosystem. I didn't get the actual book, alas, just a digital copy, but there's a lovely bonus poster included with the book that shows the various stage of metamorphosis. And, yes, the milkweed flower gets lots of space for reasons you'll learn. Thank you author #CortneyCino and #WhimspireBooks for thinking of giving me this early peek at a lovely book that actually brought back some delightful ol' memories of walking through my school's butterfly garden and marveling at the love and care the children invested in it and the butterfly.
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