The monarch butterfly you see fluttering across the grass may be on a thousand-mile journey to another part of the world. 

 

REVIEWS:

NSTA Outstanding Trade Book 2012

Seymour Simon’s longstanding record of excellence in children’s publishing is confirmed again in this NSTA/CBC Outstanding Trade Book. Large, detailed photographs both support the middle–level text and provide opportunities for observation and inquiry. The book’s detail makes it appropriate not only for browsing but also detailed and guided observations. Sequential illustrations like pupation enable students to understand life cycles. This book includes ample information on adaptations, evolution, and a variety of common species so that it can easily serve as a classroom reference for field observations or individual projects. Simon encourages students to leave the classroom and explore butterflies in the field—an expedition that will leave no reader behind. He also provides information on plantings that can bring these beautiful creatures to the school yard.

Seymour Simon's longstanding record of excellence in children's publishing is confirmed again in this NSTA/CBC Outstanding Trade Book. Large, detailed photographs both support the middle–level text and provide opportunities for observation and inquiry. The book's detail makes it appropriate not only for browsing but also detailed and guided observations. Sequential illustrations like pupation enable students to understand life cycles. This book includes ample information on adaptations, evolution, and a variety of common species so that it can easily serve as a classroom reference for field observations or individual projects. Simon encourages students to leave the classroom and explore butterflies in the field—an expedition that will leave no reader behind. He also provides information on plantings that can bring these beautiful creatures to the school yard.

[ Read more ]

The Horn Book

Both butterflies and moths are featured in Simon’s latest reliably commendable book for younger readers. He begins his clear and friendly explanations with a look at the familiar monarch butterfly and its remarkable annual migration, and then moves to a…

Both butterflies and moths are featured in Simon’s latest reliably commendable book for younger readers. He begins his clear and friendly explanations with a look at the familiar monarch butterfly and its remarkable annual migration, and then moves to a more general discussion of moth and butterfly life cycles, structure and function, species similarities and variations, and importance to humans. The outstanding full-page color photographs are perfectly in sync with the text, with each focused sharply on the pertinent details or intriguing features of commonly known and exotic specimens. Monarch butterflies receive the most attention in the photographs, moths the least, although a good variety of butterfly species are included. Simon wraps up his discussion with suggestions for butterfly enthusiasts to go forth and observe outdoors, using field guides and journals, and to perhaps even plant a butterfly-attracting garden. A glossary and index are appended. - Danielle J. Ford

[ Read more ]

Publishers Weekly

Science writer Simon vividly explores the life cycles of butterflies and moths around the globe: “Butterflies and moths live in high mountains; in deserts and swamps; on cold, windblown Arctic tundra; and in warm tropical rainforests.” Simon’s often breathtaking photographs offer closeup views of the insects, demonstrating color variations and their incredible transformations from pupa to adult moth or butterfly. Readers will be armed for the field with juicy vocabulary (like proboscis and chrysalis) and tantalizing anatomical descriptions to share (“Butterflies smell with their antennae and taste with their feet”). Ages 5–9.

Science writer Simon vividly explores the life cycles of butterflies and moths around the globe: “Butterflies and moths live in high mountains; in deserts and swamps; on cold, windblown Arctic tundra; and in warm tropical rainforests.” Simon’s often breathtaking photographs offer closeup views of the insects, demonstrating color variations and their incredible transformations from pupa to adult moth or butterfly. Readers will be armed for the field with juicy vocabulary (like proboscis and chrysalis) and tantalizing anatomical descriptions to share (“Butterflies smell with their antennae and taste with their feet”). Ages 5–9.

[ Read more ]

Winston-Salem Journal

As flowers bloom, butterflies begin to appear. Learn about the many species and their stages of life in this book, which is full of fun facts and gorgeous photographs. As the award-winning author of more than 250 books for young…

As flowers bloom, butterflies begin to appear. Learn about the many species and their stages of life in this book, which is full of fun facts and gorgeous photographs. As the award-winning author of more than 250 books for young adults, Seymour Simon creates this book on everyone's favorite warm-weather insect as a must-have for every classroom. The close-up shots of the caterpillars and butterflies are enough to keep readers of any age interested in learning about these beautiful insects.

[ Read more ]

Examiner.com

I’m so not ready for winter. I dread shoveling, cold feet, chapped lips and dry skin. That’s why I prefer to keep channeling summer for as long as I can and one part of summer that I absolutely love is…

I'm so not ready for winter. I dread shoveling, cold feet, chapped lips and dry skin. That's why I prefer to keep channeling summer for as long as I can and one part of summer that I absolutely love is butterflies.

Butterflies are an amazing species as they ride the wind and drift through the air. Their wings are often artwork in of themselves with bright colors and beautiful patterns. That's why I couldn't resist the latest picture book by award-winning science writer Seymour Simon, BUTTERFLIES.

This amazing book showcases Simon's latest full-color photographs and will delight and amaze readers with facts such as monarch butterflies travel 3,000 miles to their winter homes, butterflies that flew 100 million years ago look very much like those you see sipping nectar from flowers today, and although butterflies and moths are alike, one way to tell the difference is to look a their antennae.

This is a great addition to any library or home collection and there are lots of support materials for BUTTERFLIES. Educators and parents can download a free Teachers Guide with lots of supplementary information and activities, as well as a guide to starting your own butterfly garden. Kids can click to download your own Butterfly Observation Log, and record your sightings like a real lepidopterologist (that’s a scientist who studies butterflies).

Too bad we all can't travel to our winter homes like the monarch butterfly, but with this beautiful book, at least we can imagine sitting in our backyards on a hot summer day watching the butterflies fly by. (5 Stars) - Lori Calabrese

[ Read more ]