WILD & WONDERFUL WEDNESDAY : Monarch and Mourning Cloak by Melissa Stewart & Sarah S. Brannen
ABOUT THE BOOK
Monarch and mourning cloak butterflies may seem similar on the surface; they are about the same size and common throughout North America. But following along at a butterfly’s-eye-view, readers will discover how they live in different habitats, eat different foods, and have different strategies for avoiding enemies and making it through winter. Because even though all butterflies have the same basic body features and life cycle, each species has its own special way of surviving.
Delightful and illuminating poems, informational sidebars, and lush illustrations will immerse curious young readers in the lives of these two fascinating butterfly species.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR & ILLUSTRATOR
Melissa Stewart is a leading voice in children’s nonfiction, with more than 200 science books to her name. Her work has been translated into more than a dozen languages and garnered such awards as the Sibert Honor, two Green Earth Book Awards, and three ALA Notables. Her best-known titles include Meet the Mini Mammals, illustrated by Brian Lies, and Can an Aardvark Bark? and Fourteen Monkeys: A Rain Forest Rhyme, both illustrated by Steve Jenkins. After earning a bachelor's degree in biology from Union College and a master's degree in science journalism from New York University, Melissa worked as a children's book editor for nine years before becoming a full-time writer. While gathering information for her books, she has explored tropical rain forests in Costa Rica, gone on safari in East Africa, and swum with sea lions in the Galapagos Islands. She lives in Massachusetts. For more information, including teacher resources, videos, and more, visit melissa-stewart.com.
Sarah S. Brannen is an award-winning author and illustrator of more than two dozen books for children, including Lolly on the Ice. Her authored works include the groundbreaking Uncle Bobby’s Wedding, named one of the best 100 children's books of the past 100 years by Booktrust, and her illustrated works include the Sibert Honor book Summertime Sleepers and Feathers: Not Just For Flying, written by Melissa Stewart. To learn more, visit sarahbrannen.com.
REVIEW
Melissa Stewart & Sarah S. Brannen hit it out of the park with this remarkable book. The poems highlighting moments from the life cycles of a monarch and a mourning cloak butterfly read beautifully and make a great introduction to the more detailed information in the back matter. Designed as a journal, the poems look like notes taped onto the pages. Combined with Brennen's lovely water-colored drawings the book truly feels like a nature journal documenting the lives of these interesting insects. Dates, times, and locations combine with what look like 'samples' including common and scientific names of plants and animals. Some of the images are labeled as actual size providing readers with a helpful comparison with the other larger and more detailed images. The entire life cycle of both kinds of butterflies are documented in the poems and artwork. For readers desiring more information, the backmatter gives a glimpse into how and when the book was created along with more detailed information about the butterflies life cycles and habits. The diagram of a chrysalis with labels for where the different parts of the insect develop is fascinating. The back matter concludes with a list of selected sources and additional sources of information. The book is a treasure trove of information organized in a beautiful package, ideal for both young readers interested in the topic and teachers who want to use the book in the classroom. A stunning book in every way. Highly recommended.
NOTE : The book would work perfectly in the classroom as both a reference guide and an inspiration for students looking to create their own nature journal. Activities related to contrasting and comparing two things would go perfectly with this book. Lessons on poetry would work very well with this book as well.
VIDEO LINKS
Check out these fun videos by Sarah Brannen!
INTERIOR ILLUSTRATION SAMPLES
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