Monarch Butterflies

School Library Journal

Gr 3-5-- A simple narrative in large, bold type describes the monarch's life cycle and outlines its seasonal pattern of movement across North America. Each page of text alternates with a full-page, full-color photo; about half are color-coordinated. While this makes for an attractive format, it in no way compensates for the paucity of information. Little is said about anatomy; basic scientific terms such as ``metamorphosis,'' ``larva,'' and ``migration,'' are omitted. Oversimplification is a serious flaw, e.g., there is no mention that the caterpillar molts before entering its pupal stage. Rotter mistakenly refers to the insect in this stage as a ``baby caterpillar'' (if this human analogy is to be used at all, a caterpillar is already a ``baby'' butterfly). Stronger anthropomorphism is evident in another statement, that the caterpillars' ``mothers and fathers do not help them at all.'' The explanation of warning colors is inadequate. Most of the photography is excellent; however two similar shots of swarming butterflies are not in focus. The lack of captions is a definite handicap; a close reading of the text doesn't always identify what is being depicted. Gail Gibbons's Monarch Butterfly (Holiday, 1989) offers more detailed information, gives clearer explanations, and includes a simple map showing the monarch's pattern of movement. Jaediker E. Norsgaard's How to Raise Butterflies (Putnam, 1988) also examines the insect's life cycle in more depth than this title, and has a series of good full-color photos of the metamorphosis. --Karey Wehner, San Francisco Public Library