If You Like Butterflies - by Lola M Schaefer (Hardcover)

About the Book

"An accessible, scientific overview of butterflies for curious young naturalists. From species classification to anatomy, nutrition, metamorphosis, and ecosystems, this thorough insect exploration answers all questions about butterflies in the wild"--

Book Synopsis

A poetic and informative picture book about the mesmerizing life of a butterfly--featuring gorgeous illustrations highlighting each stage of its life cycle.

The butterfly rises and glides, traveling from flower to flower as it sips nectar and spreads pollen. But before its adult life can begin, each butterfly must complete a magnificent journey. Starting as a tiny egg beneath a leaf, the butterfly's life is marked by change. The tender caterpillar hatches, grows, and molts. The chrysalis protects and transforms. Finally, the butterfly emerges, flapping its wings dry before lifting into the air for its first flight.

Lyrical and informative and with beautiful artwork, this stunning picture book highlights the wonder in each stage of a butterfly's amazing life cycle, and includes informative bonus material about creating your own butterfly garden.

Review Quotes

Praise for If You Like Butterflies
A NSTA-CBC Outstanding Trade Science Book

* "Readers will pore over the painstakingly detailed artwork, which lovingly nods to art nouveau scientific diagrams. On one spread, individually labeled butterfly eggs are neatly spaced across the page, each one an absolute feast for the eye...Brimming with information, Schaefer's melodic prose lets readers float from beginning to end as if on butterfly wings, landing on engaging backmatter that includes instructions for planting a butterfly garden...Sure to set butterfly lovers' hearts a flutter."--Kirkus Reviews, starred review

* "This offering on the life cycles of butterflies is a visual knock-out--from its eye-catching, vibrant cover featuring a young girl surrounded by butterflies, to meticulously detailed two-page spreads filled with exotic examples, to satisfying close-ups of various eggs, caterpillars, and pupae. The text is laid out in free form poetry style and flows beautifully, effortlessly weaving together facts and appreciative insights...This book is sure to attract browsers and delight bug and butterfly enthusiasts. Even collections seemingly replete with titles about lepidopterans will want to make room for this colorful and engaging celebration of butterflies."--Booklist, starred review

"A gorgeous reminder of just how curious children are to learn about the wonders of the natural world. This expertly designed picture book is a clever blend of reverie and science....Gabi Swiatkowska's large illustrations are lovely to gaze at but also precise enough to study....This is an essential nonfiction book for the scientist cocooning in every child."--The Washington Post

"Butterflies are the topic of this lovely book, which starts with the variety of species. The beautiful images showcase the amazing array of color and shapes of different butterflies. Then the text turns to their life cycle...A sweet book about butterflies that is sure to interest and captivate young ­readers."--School Library Journal

About the Author

Lola M. Schaefer is the author of many award-winning books for children, including An Island Grows; What's Up, What's Down?; and Pick, Pull, Snap! Where Once a Flower Bloomed, an NCTE Notable Children's Book in the Language Arts; and What's Up, What's Down? She lives with her husband, Ted, in the mountains of north Georgia, where she has her very own butterfly garden bursting with activity. Lola invites you to visit her online at lolaschaefer.com.

Gabi Swiatkowska is the illustrator of many acclaimed books for children, including Mary Cassatt: Extraordinary Impressionist Painter, which was named a CBC-NCSS Notable Social Studies Trade Book, as well as My Name Is Yoon, an ALA Notable Book for which she received the Ezra Jack Keats Award. Gabi lives in France, where she spies on the butterflies in her garden. She makes little notes with drawings about their daily goings-on. And she likes to grow plants that are hospitable to butterflies.