Far Flutterby

by Karen Kingsbury, Jennifer A. Bell (Illustrator)

“I wonder,” he said, as he inched up a tree,“If there’s more to this life than just branches and leaves.”Once in the land of Better-Than-Brown lived Cody the Caterpillar, down on the ground. His life he found boring; he wanted much more; then a message of hope told him he would soon soar. A place called Far Flutterby—it just couldn’t be! He thought, That’s only a dream for a small one like me. But God has a plan filled with wondrous things, and Cody would find that through hard times come wings.

Genres: Picture Books, Christian, Childrens, Animals, Christian Fiction, Religion

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 10, 2012

About the author

Karen Kingsbury, #1 New York Times bestselling novelist, is America’s favorite inspirational storyteller, with more than twenty-five million copies of her award-winning books in print. Her last dozen titles have topped bestseller lists and many of her novels are under development with Hallmark Films and as major motion pictures. Her Baxter Family books are being developed into a TV series slated for major network viewing sometime in the next year. Karen is also an adjunct professor of writing at Liberty University. In 2001 she and her husband, Don, adopted three boys from Haiti, doubling their family in a matter of months. Today the couple has joined the ranks of empty nesters, living in Tennessee near five of their adult children.

See more at: http://authors.simonandschuster.com/K...

Reviews

[Tracy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is not only great for kids but for that person in your life that is looking for a job, needing a career change or maybe just needs to break free and become someone new.
"I wonder," he said, as he inched up a tree, "if there's more to this life than just branches and leaves."

This book will remind that person there are special plans in store. "I'm from the land of Far Flutterby where God has good plans for his creatures to fly! These plans include you, so have faith and you'll see!"

This book will give that a person a nudge "...there's more to this life than crawling and eating, more to this life than sitting and sleeping."

My favorite is the very last page but for that you will have to read Far Flutterby and learn how it can help you.

[Brandi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful illustrations and wonderful message for children and adults. I love the message: the struggle gives you wings. We only grow through what we see as our challenges, and we can come out with our own wings.

[Melanie Dulaney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Karen Kingsbury gives 3-7 year olds a book with an uplifting message of God's unique plan for everyone along with great alliteration, vivid verbs, and an early Science lesson about metamorphosis. Coupled with Jennifer Bell's bright colors and bold illustrations, this book is a winner.

[Michaela | Reading in the Heartland · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this Children’s book. It’s a great analogous story of our lives with that of a caterpillar and butterfly. The illustrations were striking. After reading this book (we got from the library) I exclaimed “I must have this book!“

[eLle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whoah, Christian children book?! I needed more.

[Jamie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great children's book with a wonderful message. I recommend it to teachers, parents, and basically anyone.

[Tammy Birdwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

A metamorphosis story great for children

[Jamie Mae · Rating 2 out of 5]

Religious undertones.

Pictures cute. Story ok.

[Erica Kiefer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Last night I read this book to my daughter. The concept of a caterpillar turning into a butterfly is not new, but I LOVED how this story presented itself.

This particular caterpillar is disappointed with his boring life on the ground, eating leaves and rolling in dirt and he has hopes for something better. Then he meets a colorful bird and butterfly who tell him, "there's more to this life than crawling and eating, more to this life than sitting and sleeping." They speak of God's plan for him and encourage him to have faith.

When this caterpillar becomes "trapped" in his cocoon, "He was so very stuck, he was so sweaty and sore, for nothing had ever been this hard before . . .

But, of course, through his struggle and patience, he develops wings and becomes the inspiration to his fellow caterpillars, advising, "Have faith through the hard times, believing in more! For there in the journey and stuck in the sting, the struggle...the struggle...is what gives you WINGS!"

I can personally testify to this truth. I've had "butterflies" come to me in my life and give me the encouragement to hold on through the hardest times of losing my son. These parents have been through the experience and offered hope. At some point, all of us have or will go through the process of "developing our wings."

Everyone needs to read this book and its beautiful message. I adore it.

[Margaret Chind · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not sure that I have ever read any Christian Contemporary Fiction that Karen Kingsbury is so famous for; however, I ave read some of her children's books including Let's Have a Daddy Day, The Brave Young Knight and The Princess and the Three Knights and the ones I do not yet own are definitely on my wishlist. Karen takes a story and weaves in a message to stay with a child (and the parent reading it!) for the long haul. It is all worth it in the end and using adorable characters such as Cody the Caterpillar, Beulah Lee Bird and Fanny McFly learning about the beloved land of Far Flutterby and the home town of Better-than-Brown great color tones from the earthy to vibrant bring it alive. And as I've said before a glittery cover never hurts!

*Thanks to Zondervan for providing a copy for review.*


scheduled: http://wp.me/pYHD5-36g

[Gail Welborn · Rating 5 out of 5]

WA’s own Karen Kingsbury: http://www.karenkingsbury.com/

Far Flutterby, by Karen Kingsbury, Illustrated by Jennifer A. Bell, Zonderkidz, 2012, 32 Pages, Ages 4 and Up, ISBN-13: 978-0310712138, $15.99

Best-selling author, Karen Kingsbury’s imaginative new rhyming release, Far Flutterby, a picture book for youngsters age four and up, with Jennifer A. Bell’s colorful illustrations, is sure to win awards. Not only does it engage children’s imaginations, Cody the Caterpillar’s story portrays biblical truths, as well as Christ’s resurrection Easter morning, in simple terms youngsters understand.

The story includes the delightful characters of Beulah Lee Bird and Franny McFly from the land of Far Flutterby and begins with Cody’s musings.

Although bespectacled Cody the Caterpillar from the town “Better-than-Brown” crawls on the ground, he wonders as he inches up a tree, “if there’s more to this life than just branches and leaves…” Full Review: http://tinyurl.com/6shlahp

[Falan Miller]

I LOVED this book! It is one of my new favorites! This book is about a little caterpillar named cody who was very bored with his life of eating leaves and laying around. He wanted to have wings very badly and wished he could have them immediately. The bird and the butterfly, which represent hope, told him to have patience because God had a plan of wonderful things.

I liked this book so much because of its message. The message this book is giving is that even though things don't seem to great at the present time, you need to be patience and hold on to hope, because God has a great plan for you.

This book could be used in several different ways. It could be used for a child who is going though a hard time, it could be used for a bible class, and I think it is even a good reminder for grownups. I think this book could be used for all ages.

[Rebecca "Rebaka" Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Far Flutterby by Karen Kingsbury is a rhyming book that will get yours kids involved and willing to listen to. Cody the caterpillar has many biblical adventures in this story. I think the overall is that God has a wonderful plan for your life if you will just believe in him. The illustrations by Jennifer A. Bell keeps a childs attention.

The age range of this book is for kids from four to eight but adults will enjoy it when watching your children's interest comes alive.

I am difinately a Karen Kingsbury fan in adult fiction and now am a fan in her children's line.

[Kathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I pretty much love anything that Karen Kingsbury writes. This book had the same theme as Hermie, A Common Caterpillar by Max Lucado, but was different because it was written in rhyme. I loved the illustrations by Jennifer A. Bell. It was a cute book, nicely put together, that young children will enjoy.

[Deb Tyo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Written in rhyme, this one really did remind me of Hermie, A Common Caterpillar by Max Lucado (as another reviewer has already mentioned).

"...Have faith through the hard times, believing in more! For there in the journey and stuck in the sting, the struggle...the struggle...is what gives you wings!"

[Joy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this to my older daughter the other day because she's finally wanting to sit down and let Mommy read her paper books. I really like the artwork and I think she does too. It's kinda hard to tell because she doesn't talk yet. However, the fact that she paid attention tells me that she likes it. We'll see how she likes it when she's a bit older.

[Kaylee Warzecha · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book would be great to teach children that God has a plan for them even if they don't know it yet. That it takes patience and struggle to get where God wants us to be. An encouraging book with a Christian perspective. The illustrations are soft and full of color. (picture)

[Deanna Mosier · Rating 5 out of 5]

Transformed! Very good book for young children

This is a cute story, great for little ones. Will the caterpillar gave enough faith to find his way? As a grandma, I loved this book too!

[Peggy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story, written in verse, has a message...the struggle is what gives you wings.

[Faye Berkley]

This is a great book. I have read it a couple of times now and it has a great message for children and adults.

[Felita · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love it! "Its the stuggle, that gives me wings."

[kristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet story with a great religious message.

[Beth Cutwright]

delightful!!!the artwork is to die for.....Cody the Caterpillar is searching for his purpose and he finds it! I think my granddaughter will love having this read to her!

[Beverly · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute book, in rhyming verse, with nice illustrations; but doesn't really bring anything new to the "caterpillar to butterfly" theme.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful kids book. It shows God's plan for our life in a kids perspective.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just picked this one up for the kids. I love it, the illustrations are wonderful and so is the message.

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super cute book for kids! Encouragement and not giving up are big themes in this fun book!

[Kara Love · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful pictures, and fun rhymes. A captivating story about God's plan for a boring caterpillar to struggle into life as a beautiful butterfly.

[wildct2003 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Charming nature/religion story.