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A Place for Butterflies

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In this simple introduction to butterflies and ecology, Melissa Stewart shares with young readers the behavior and beauty of butterflies and offers specific ways youngsters can help protect butterflies and their natural habitats.Children learn basic facts about butterflies, including how they transform from caterpillar to butterfly, where they live, what they eat, and how they benefit plants and animals. Woven throughout the text is information on how human action harmed butterflies in the past and how populations can be protected by preserving forests and meadows and cutting down on pesticide use. Directions for creating backyard gardens and planting specific trees that attract butterflies are also included. Author Melissa Stewart offers children a glimpse into the interconnectedness of our world and how the actions of one species can inadvertently harm another. Illustrator Higgins Bond’s colorful, realistically detailed watercolor illustrations highlight the diversity of the species – from the Schaus swallowtail butterflies in southern Florida to the endangered Mitchell’s sayters.

32 pages, Hardcover

First published March 31, 2006

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About the author

Melissa Stewart

298 books191 followers
Melissa Stewart is the award-winning author of more than 180 science and nature books for children. She offers a wide range of programs for schools, libraries, nature centers, and conferences. www.melissa-stewart.com"

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5 stars
47 (46%)
4 stars
34 (33%)
3 stars
17 (16%)
2 stars
3 (2%)
1 star
1 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
Profile Image for Shelli.
5,184 reviews56 followers
August 6, 2014
A Place For Butterflies is a wonderfully informative picture book about butterflies and how human actions are negatively and positively effecting their continued existence on Earth; something they have been doing for 140 million years. Higgins Bond’s illustrations are stunning, filled with vibrant colors and beautiful perspective views. This would be a nice addition to any elementary library or classroom for aiding in discussions on conservation and earth science.
Profile Image for Cathy Blackler.
406 reviews2 followers
June 12, 2014
A beautiful book that speaks to the need for conservation. Bond' s lush illustrations pair nicely with Stewart's fact-filled text. A great book for any classroom library. And nature-lovers of all ages.
Profile Image for Christy.
Author 18 books67 followers
November 18, 2020
This fact-filled, colorful look at the amazing world of butterflies includes a call to action to protect these beautiful insects.
Melissa Stewart shares with young readers the basic facts about butterflies, including how they transform from caterpillars to butterflies, where they live, what they eat, and how they benefit plants and animals. Sidebars throughout the book contain information about how human action has harmed butterflies in the past, and the many ways people can protect certain butterfly populations, like by preserving forests and meadows and cutting down on pesticide use. Also included are pointers on how youngsters can help butterflies in their own neighborhood.
Stewart reminds children of the interconnectedness of our world and shows how the actions of one species can inadvertently harm another. Bond's realistically detailed watercolor illustrations highlight the diversity of the species, from the Schaus swallowtail butterflies in southern Florida to the endangered Mitchell's satyrs.
Profile Image for Megan Bogle.
42 reviews
November 5, 2020
Copyright: 2006
Genre: Information
Themes: Animals, Butterflies, Conservation
This book is awesome! And, I see that it's a series as well. I love that this book gives specific examples of butterflies: their locations and why they need certain resources or habitats. It is also cool that this book shows students accessible ways to help butterflies. This book does not only present facts about butterflies, but it also tells readers about conservation. I would like to introduce this book to my future students because it teaches them about an animal they might see often and, perhaps, it will encourage them to become little conservationists!
50 reviews
November 20, 2019
This is a nonfiction book that focuses on 12 butterflies that live in North America or Central America. People sometimes do things that make it hard for these butterflies to survive, this book does a nice job telling ways that people can protect and help butterflies. Each two page spread shows a beautiful picture of a butterfly and its habitat. Each page also shows what the butterfly looks like as a caterpillar. This book could be read to younger children by reading just the top of the page or you could read the whole book to older children.
Profile Image for Sarah Wilson.
904 reviews4 followers
June 15, 2023
The illustrations in this book are absolutely exquisite. So much detail, they jump off the page as if you were walking through fields of wildflowers filled with butterflies. The content is good & informative, but lacks the extra umph to make it super engaging for the kids. If it weren’t for the incredible illustrations & the fact that the kids are little conservationists in the making, I don’t think my kids would have enjoyed it. 5 stars for illustrations, 3 stars for the content, averaged out to 4 stars.
Profile Image for Ariana.
79 reviews
June 26, 2024
Such a well done and engaging children’s nonfiction book about butterflies and related environmental issues! Each page has a similar layout with a phrase on the top of “Butterflies need this thing; when we do this, butterflies can live and grow.” 80% of the rest of the spread is a beautiful illustration of a specific butterfly species and its habitat and one side has a story of that type of butterfly and how it was affected by some environmental issue—deforestation, invasive species, chemicals dangerous to butterflies, etc. Recommended for ages 4+.
Profile Image for Courtney Johnson.
23 reviews2 followers
April 1, 2026
I would rate this book 5 stars because it was really interesting and easy to understand. I like how it explained real information in a way that students can actually enjoy and stay engaged. The pictures and examples helped make the content clearer, especially for younger readers. I also like how it connects to real world topics, which makes it more meaningful. This would be a great book to use in the classroom because students can learn while still being interested in what they’re reading. A good read.
Profile Image for Diana.
1,475 reviews7 followers
February 19, 2019
Excellent book, with powerful examples of how and why we need to protect both butterflies and the environment. In fact, I liked it so much that I was planning on giving it a 4 star rating until I hit the last page when it stated that "Butterflies have lived on Earth for 140 million years." Sorry, folks, but you have NO WAY OF KNOWING THAT! You're theorizing. and that's fine, if you state it as a theory. But please only state facts that really are facts. To do otherwise is to mislead the reader.
Profile Image for Sarah Roberts.
42 reviews2 followers
November 3, 2020
This book has gorgeous, detailed illustrations and I loved learning about all the environments and factors that effect butterflies and how humans can work to protect them. I learned so much!
I would use this book in my future classroom as a read aloud in a science unit and I would include it in my classroom library.
copyright-2006
themes-butterflies, the environment, conservation, informational text
Profile Image for Ashley Dumont.
43 reviews
November 4, 2020
Published in 2006
A wonderful information book about butterflies. I enjoyed the illustrations that went along with the story to show all of the different places butterflies grow.
I would use this in my classroom as a read aloud to further my student's knowledge of insects- the places they live and how we can help take care of them. We would then create a visual of all of the different butterfly habitats.
Profile Image for Kaylie Bonine.
37 reviews1 follower
November 4, 2020
A cute read! The story was full of beautiful illustrations and the information was interesting to read about. I appreciated how each page had a different scene and environment where a specific species could be found. I think students would enjoy looking through this book, especially if they were interested in butterflies.
Profile Image for Ethan Thao.
40 reviews
November 18, 2020
Copyright- 2006
Genre-Information
Theme-Animals, Butterflies
I love this book, gives a lot of information about butterflies. I would love to do this when learning about butterflies.
Profile Image for Rylee Perkins.
37 reviews1 follower
November 18, 2020
I really enjoyed this book, it gave a lot of interesting information about butterflies. Like how it gave information about certain types of butterflies on each page. Fun little book!
Profile Image for Haley Buck.
40 reviews2 followers
November 19, 2020
Copyright: 2006
Genre: Informational
Theme: Butterflies, protecting animals/insects
This book had beautiful illustrations and I loved learning about individual species of butterflies! I think students who are interested in butterflies or animals would really enjoy this book and could learn a lot too! I would use this book in my class for a read aloud or as a resource for students on a unit about conservation and why it is important.
Profile Image for Alison Flemming.
41 reviews
November 18, 2012
A Place for Butterflies by Melissa Stewart illustrated by Higgins Bond (Peachtree Publishers 2006) 29p. Informational.

Summary: This is an interesting book that gives details about butterflies along with beautiful illustrations. Specific types of butterflies are also discussed.

Critique:
a. This book is easy to read and understand and good for children to understand the facts about butterflies. In addition, the illustrations go along nicely with the book.

b. At the top of each page is a sentence or two explaining a fact about butterflies in general. Then on one side of the page a specific butterfly is explained in detail. This is a way for readers to learn about the different types of butterflies.

c. On the side of page 2, Stewart explains the life cycle of a butterfly which is something students are required to know. The next page then discusses the food that butterflies eat. At the end she sums the book up with how people can help butterflies. This would be good for students to know so they could actually do some of these things.

Curriculum Connection: This is a good book to read when learning about animals and their habitats and what they need to survive. After reading this book students could create a project for butterflies using the information in the book.
Profile Image for Lacey Luce.
39 reviews4 followers
November 25, 2012
A Place for Butterflies
By: Melissa Stewart
Stewart, M. (2006). A place for butterflies. New York, NY: Peachtree.

1.Informational Junior Book

2.This beautiful book that shows the amazing world of butterflies. This book is fact-filled of information with basic fact about butterflies as well as a need to protect these beautiful creatures.

3.Illustrations

b. This book has the most beautiful watercolor portraits of the different butterflies and their habitats. The Illustrator Higgins Bond does fantastic up close detailed pictures of these gorgeous insects. Along with doing up close pictures of the butterflies, he also show out large pictures of the insects and their habitats.

c. One of the best pictures is of the Schaus Swallowtail butterflies that are found in southern Florida. The great detail of the browns and yellows of this butterflies wings is great to see in this book.

4. This book is great for the classroom. It can be brought into a science lesson as well as being brought into a discussion about conservation and protecting the environment. Much of this book talks about the preservation of this insect and it can really jump start a topic and bring great activities into the classroom.
Profile Image for Barbara.
15.3k reviews314 followers
September 19, 2024
What a handsome treasure this picture book, in its third edition, is! With a front cover blossoming with bounteous flowers and at least five different types of butterflies to its engaging, accessible text, to the back cover with three vertical boxes and three interesting facts about butterflies, this one is memorable and so much more than the typical butterfly book for children. Inside, the author introduces readers to 12 different butterflies found in North America. She also describes the challenges these creatures face, points the finger of blame for their demise at humans, and then offers ways that humans can help. Considering that butterflies have been around for 140 million years, according to the text, surely, they deserve some respect. The incredibly detailed, full-color acrylic illustrations showcase the butterflies thriving in their unique habitat as well as some scenes in which small groups of humans are at work, restoring or tending to some of the places they favor. It's hard to read this book and not want to take action, even if that action is simply starting or adding to a garden with plans favored by butterflies. There shouldn't be an elementary science classroom without this important book with its message of stewardship for the natural world.
Profile Image for Laura.
41 reviews3 followers
December 4, 2012
Genre- Informational
This is an awesome educational book about butterflies. It describes different types of butterflies and their life cycle. It also explains what we can do to help butterflies lives longer. Great simple educational book!
A. I love that this book described 12 different types of butterflies while it continued to tell a story.
B. I thought the different types of butterflies gave the book great character. On the insides of the covers it describes the different types of butterflies and where they are from. This made me want to learn more about butterflies because I was not aware of all this new interesting information.
C. For example, page 3 describes an Eastern Tiger Swallowtail that was very pretty and unique looking. They are large with yellow and black wings that have eclectic designs.

This is a great curriculum connection for science. This book could be used for 2nd-4th grade. Second grade may have a little bit of a tough time, but with help they could learn a lot.
Great project book!
Profile Image for Vera Godley.
2,038 reviews60 followers
September 21, 2024
A beautifully illustrated and designed book featuring the ecological importance of butterflies and the needs butterflies have in order to continue to flourish in the world. The destruction of habitat areas specific to the needs of different species of butterflies and how people are beginning to awaken to these needs is gently covered. The solution to this and how people are beginning to recreate "a place for butterflies" is basically the theme of the book.

Easy text throughout the book that interestingly instructs the young reader is followed with a few butterfly facts. A disappointment to me is the statement that "butterflies have lived on the earth for 140 million years." Otherwise, I love the book.

I was provided a complimentary copy to facilitate a review. Opinions are mine, alone and are freely given.
Profile Image for Heather Lang.
Author 9 books41 followers
November 28, 2010
This is one of the best butterfly books I've seen for children. They will learn about much more than butterflies; children will come away with an understanding of how human behavior can affect the natural world. Melissa Stewart successfully tackles the tough task of introducing children to environmental concerns without being heavy-handed. Her tone is hopeful and the text gives readers a true appreciation for butterflies and their ecosystems. The book is written in simple rhythmic language with two levels of text. Young children can read the easier text, while older children, a parent, or a teacher can read the higher level text. This promotes a valuable shared reading experience. The book ends with some practical suggestions of things kids can do to help butterflies.
Profile Image for babyhippoface.
2,443 reviews144 followers
February 23, 2008
Beautifully-detailed acrylics depict varieties of butterfly in their natural habitats in this multi-layered non-fiction picture book. Simpole sentences about what some butterflies need to live and grow in a certain biome and how people can help appear across the top of each page, while sidebars give more detailed facts about specific indigenous species. Other native plants and wildlife appear in each spread, visually giving readers more information about what resides in each biome. End papers feature maps of each species’ range in the United States. Emphasis is on conservation and what children and adults alike can do to protect these lovely insects.
3 reviews11 followers
November 24, 2010
A Place for Butterflies, written by Melissa Stewart, is a science book that reads like an intriguing story. In clear and poetic language, Stewart explains how specific butterfly species survive and how each is intricately linked to its environment. Readers will also discover how human actions affect these splendid creatures. Written in a reverent and hopeful tone, the book will foster both a sense of wonder and responsibility. Delightfully detailed paintings by Higgins Bond provide an exquisite accompaniment.
Profile Image for Jeff.
640 reviews
April 5, 2012
Stewart has written an interesting factual conservation picture book that uses a repetitive chorus of "a place for butterflies." While at certain points it is a bit heavy handed in the end it is a wonderful celebration of butterflies that acknowledges the fragile place they play in our ecosystems.
Profile Image for Mary Ann.
1,485 reviews315 followers
November 19, 2015
Love the two different levels of text -- makes this great to read together with kids. Clear information, with short sentences in the larger main text. But also very passionate and directed. More detailed information in the sidebar paragraphs about individual butterfly species. This will spur thinking and questions among kids.
Profile Image for Lekeshua.
279 reviews2 followers
July 29, 2016
A beautifully done picture book. We read this to add more to the topic we discussed in Jack's Insects. The importance of preserving the lives of butterflies. We have plans to adding a butterfly garden to our homestead to help out even more. My littles enjoyed recognizing some of the butterflies we have on our homestead in the book.
Profile Image for A.C.E. Bauer.
Author 3 books9 followers
Read
May 6, 2014
So many butterflies in so many places. The simple text is perfect for the younger grades. It conveys lots of information with both the text and the bright, colorful illustrations. Well done.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews