by Susumu Shingu
Owlkids Books, 2015
ISBN 978 1 77147 148-0
$19.95, 40 pp, ages 4 – 8
owlkidsbooks.com
Traveling Butterflies describes the life cycle and migration patterns of the monarch butterfly. Beginning with the hatching of a single egg, the story is told clearly and simply with lyrical text and vivid illustrations. A page of information about the monarch butterfly is included at the end, making this picture book the perfect combination of story and non fiction text.
Classroom Connections: There are just so many ways to use this book in an elementary school classroom! The author/artist is an internationally known sculptor and architect whose illustrations for this book could inspire all kinds of picture making and craft ideas. As an at-risk species, the monarch butterfly would be an excellent focus for a study of endangered animals. The metamorphic life cycle of the butterfly fits very well with the Science Learning Standards for grade two (B.C. curriculum) and the migration behaviour is imbedded in the Science curriculum for all of the primary grades. I would highly recommend this book for both its aesthetic appeal and the curriculum content.
Review by Brenda Boreham.
This review is from Canadian Teacher Magazine’s Apr/May 2016 issue.