Butterflies are Pretty....Gross! (Rosemary Mosco)

 

Perfect for our animal life cycles unit!

Goodreads says:

Warning--this book contains top-secret information about butterflies! Prepare to be shocked and grossed out by this hilarious and totally true picture book introduction to a fascinating insect.

Butterflies are beautiful and quiet and gentle and sparkly . . . but that's not the whole truth. Butterflies can be GROSS. And one butterfly in particular is here to let everyone know! Talking directly to the reader, a monarch butterfly reveals how its kind is so much more than what we think. Did you know some butterflies enjoy feasting on dead animals, rotten fruit, tears and even poop? Some butterflies are loud, like the Cracker butterfly. Some are stinky -- the smell scares predators away. Butterflies can be sneaky, like the ones who pretend to be ants to get free babysitting.

This hilarious and refreshing book with silly and sweet illustrations explores the science of butterflies and shows that these insects are not the stereotypically cutesy critters we often think they are -- they are fascinating, disgusting, complicated and amazing creatures.

Butterfly Park (Elly Mackay)

This is really a beautiful book. The pictures are amazing! It's a mash of sadness about having to move and finding friendship and beauty in what seems like an abandoned lot.

Goodreads summary:

When a little girl moves to a new town, she finds a place called Butterfly Park. But when she opens the gate, there are no butterflies.
Determined to lure the butterflies in, the girl inspires her entire town to help her. And with their combined efforts, soon the butterflies—and the girl—feel right at home.
Elly MacKay's luminous paper-cut illustrations and enchanting story encourage community, friendship, and wonderment in the beauty of everyday life.
Free poster on reverse side of book jacket.

Bob and Otto (Robert O Bruel, Nick Bruel)

I met another teacher when I was volunteering at Storybook Theatre. We got talking about school. She really loves science and was a great resource for some of the topics we do in grade three. She told me about a wonderful book, which, as she was talking, made me realize it would be great for our character assembly this month! Today we got to work on it. The kids are very excited. They totally got the concept that if everyone looks after their responsibilities, everything just goes much more smoothly.

Goodreads summary:

Bob and Otto do best-friend kinds of things together--eating leaves, digging, playing--until the day Bob decides to climb a tree, simply because . . . he has to. When the two meet again, Otto is still the same dirt-loving earthworm, but Bob has done the unthinkable: grown wings. Friendship overcomes all else in this sweet and funny story, because no matter what happens, ". . . friends are important." 

Elmer and Butterfly (David Mckee)

Cute story. Since we're studying butterflies right now this seemed to be a good one. We were a little stumped by the idea of a patchwork elephant. Why is he patchwork? The other stumpifying material was the elephant's friend, Wilbur. He seems to play a significant part of the story by throwing his voice, but he isn't a significant part of the story.

We did love the idea that a butterfly could save an elephant though. Everyone has strengths!

Goodreads summary:

The famous patchwork elephant is back in another heart-warming adventure about friendship and teamwork.

One day, as Elmer is strolling through the jungle, he hears a cry for help. A butterfly has been trapped in a hole by a fallen branch. Elmer rushes to the rescue and frees her with ease. In return she promises to help Elmer should he ever need it. Elmer cannot imagine how a tiny butterfly could ever help him, but he finds out sooner than he expects. 

Bye, Bye, Butterflies! (Andrew Larsen Illustration by Jacqueline Hudon Verrelli)

I learned about this book by attending the Bookpalooza that I got to be on the committee to help organize for our school. We had a number of local authors and illustrators share some of their work. It was a WONDERFUL evening! The illustrator of this book, Jacqueline Hudon Verrelli, is from Calgary.

Right now, in my classroom, we have been observing caterpillars that we ordered from a website. Most of them have turned into pupas and we're impatiently waiting for them to emerge. It was really fun to read this book while we're in the midst of that experience.

June 8, 2016:
We read it again this year. Everyone was quite captivated by the story. This book is truly just like our experience with our butterflies this year. We're going to try to time things perfectly so that we're outside releasing them just before other kids come out so that we can tell them about the great things they have to look forward to with their butterflies when they're in grade 3!

Goodreads summary:

One day on a walk with his dad Charlie sees some boys and girls on the rooftop of the school saying goodbye as they release butterflies up into the sky. Charlie is amazed by all the butterflies flying around and wishes he could do something like that too. And when Charlie starts school next year he becomes a “butterfly scientist” as well and helps his teacher and classmates care for some teeny tiny caterpillars as they grow into butterflies and are released by Charlie and his class. “Bye Bye Butterflies!”