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Glasswings: A Butterfly's Story
Claire, a glasswing butterfly whose transparent wings reflect her lush home, finds herself lost in the city after being separated from her family. She doesn’t know how they will ever see her, but she finds new city friends, a pigeon, an ant, and a ladybug, who search for the flowers Claire needs to live. They come upon a tiny urban garden, and as Claire drinks from the flowers’ nectar, she pollinates more flowers. Soon the garden—and Claire's clear wings—fill with color, allowing her family to recognize her at last. Together they create an oasis for all to enjoy. Facts about glasswing butterflies and pollination complete this beautiful and educational picture book. Kleven’s latest offering is as colorful and delicate as a butterfly’s wings—a treasure that can be cherished for years.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published April 18, 2013
5 people are currently reading
284 people want to read
About the author
Elisa Kleven
57 books47 followersElisa Kleven is the author and/or illustrator of over 30 childrens picture books. Favorites with children and adults alike, Elisa's books have received awards and honors from the American Library Association, The New York Times , The Junior Library Guild, School Library Journal, and the American Institute of Graphic Arts. Her pictures from Abuela are part of a traveling show organized by the Minnesota Children's Museum, and her story The Paper Princess has been adapted for two theater productions, one in Ireland and the other in California. Elisa lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her family and pets. To learn more about Elisa and her books, please visit her web site: www.elisakleven.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
June 29, 2025
Kids loved it!
January 31, 2014
The main characters of this book are bugs and a bird; but swirling about in the scenes behind and around them are people. The story begins with Claire, a glasswing butterfly, in a rural setting. But Claire is caught on a gust of wind and carried to a city. City life doesn't offer much for bugs or birds, but there is one little garden that becomes a home for all of them.
Woven into this story are themes of belonging, displacement, friendship, ecosystems and biology. That's a fantastic array. But what makes this book even better is its lack of boundries. The people and settings are crafted in such a way that this could be anywhere in the world.
Woven into this story are themes of belonging, displacement, friendship, ecosystems and biology. That's a fantastic array. But what makes this book even better is its lack of boundries. The people and settings are crafted in such a way that this could be anywhere in the world.
July 4, 2017
It was a cute story about a little known butterfly species with a note to educate the reader more before starting.
It was interesting and cute with several messages that could be taken from the telling.
It was interesting and cute with several messages that could be taken from the telling.
August 7, 2019
I read this book to my daughter's preschool class when they were learning about butterflies and insects, and the kids really enjoyed it, although they were very concerned when Claire, the glasswing butterfly, got separated from her family. It's a nice story that highlights how butterflies and other insects & birds benefit gardens: pollinating the flowers, eating insect pests, and spreading seeds. The part of the story where Claire's extended family finds her in the city was rather improbable, but it did reassure and calm the worried children.
When reading to an individual child and not a group, I'd suggest taking a lot more time to look at the beautiful illustrations and talk about what is going on in the background, such as the community members working on the garden.
When reading to an individual child and not a group, I'd suggest taking a lot more time to look at the beautiful illustrations and talk about what is going on in the background, such as the community members working on the garden.
March 19, 2018
Pretty one note.
January 22, 2019
What a beautifully illustrated book to introduce glass winged butterflies to children. A great addition to a unit on butterflies.
June 28, 2019
Gorgeous illustrations.
July 10, 2019
PJ story time 7-10-19
November 28, 2020
A creative narrative that is both simple and significant.
September 28, 2021
I liked the story. I loved seeing a picture of the real Glasswing, and information about it.
August 3, 2022
Beautiful illustrations and we learned about glasswing butterflies along the way.
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June 26, 2023So pretty
July 25, 2023
Preschool
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March 13, 2026A sweet book for early readers. Kleven’s illustrations made it a pleasure to read.
September 20, 2014
Looking at the jeweled illustrations of Elisa Kleven, author and illustrator of this beautiful book, reminds me of peering through a kaleidescope. No matter which way you turn, or on which area you focus, new patterns of gorgeous colors reveal themselves to you.
This story tells what happens when Claire, a Glasswing butterfly (one with transparent wings), gets carried away from her family one day on a strong burst of wind. At first she is scared and lonely, but then she meets some new friends (a ladybug, a pigeon, and an ant) who guide her to an empty lot with flowers so she can eat:
"Day after day, Claire fluttered among the flowers, sipping their nectar, carrying their sticky yellow pollen from plant to plant, helping new flowers to grow.”
Kleven also describes the ways in which Claire’s friends help the new little ecosystem thrive. But still, Claire misses her family. Then one day, a group of Glasswings circles overhead, drawn by the big patch of color in Claire’s new garden. It is Claire’s family, and they have been looking for her. They swoop down, taking on the colors of the flowers behind them, and much joy ensues at the reunion.
Evaluation: This story provides a lovely way to impart information about how biological communities work, and in particular the role played by Glasswing butterflies. But the real value of this book is in the stunning mixed-media illustrations. They teem with color and texture and detail, and will provide children with hours of delight trying to identify all the hidden delights in each picture.
This story tells what happens when Claire, a Glasswing butterfly (one with transparent wings), gets carried away from her family one day on a strong burst of wind. At first she is scared and lonely, but then she meets some new friends (a ladybug, a pigeon, and an ant) who guide her to an empty lot with flowers so she can eat:
"Day after day, Claire fluttered among the flowers, sipping their nectar, carrying their sticky yellow pollen from plant to plant, helping new flowers to grow.”
Kleven also describes the ways in which Claire’s friends help the new little ecosystem thrive. But still, Claire misses her family. Then one day, a group of Glasswings circles overhead, drawn by the big patch of color in Claire’s new garden. It is Claire’s family, and they have been looking for her. They swoop down, taking on the colors of the flowers behind them, and much joy ensues at the reunion.
Evaluation: This story provides a lovely way to impart information about how biological communities work, and in particular the role played by Glasswing butterflies. But the real value of this book is in the stunning mixed-media illustrations. They teem with color and texture and detail, and will provide children with hours of delight trying to identify all the hidden delights in each picture.
September 28, 2013
Originally posted at Escape Through the Pages with the same rating.
As an educator and a reader, Glasswings: A Butterfly’s Story by Elisa Kleven appealed to me in a number of ways. The beautiful illustrations highlight the story of Claire, a glasswing butterfly who finds herself separated from her family. She makes the best of her situation and everything turns out ok for Claire in the end.
The story of Claire’s journey is filled with wonderful tidbits of information on not just glasswing butterflies, but the role that butterflies and other animals and insects (like pigeons, ants and ladybugs) play in nature. So even though Claire has been whisked away from her family and home, she begins to create a new home around her, through new friends and a small abandoned city lot with a few flowers in it. It’s a nice story of making the most of a situation, maintaining hope and forming new friendships all with an educational background of environment.
Glasswings: A Butterfly’s Story by Elisa Kleven works perfectly with the curriculum in my area. Primary and grade one learn about habitats and life cycles, and many of the classes even hatch moths or butterflies. This story will fit in perfectly, and I can’t wait to read it out loud to them!
As an educator and a reader, Glasswings: A Butterfly’s Story by Elisa Kleven appealed to me in a number of ways. The beautiful illustrations highlight the story of Claire, a glasswing butterfly who finds herself separated from her family. She makes the best of her situation and everything turns out ok for Claire in the end.
The story of Claire’s journey is filled with wonderful tidbits of information on not just glasswing butterflies, but the role that butterflies and other animals and insects (like pigeons, ants and ladybugs) play in nature. So even though Claire has been whisked away from her family and home, she begins to create a new home around her, through new friends and a small abandoned city lot with a few flowers in it. It’s a nice story of making the most of a situation, maintaining hope and forming new friendships all with an educational background of environment.
Glasswings: A Butterfly’s Story by Elisa Kleven works perfectly with the curriculum in my area. Primary and grade one learn about habitats and life cycles, and many of the classes even hatch moths or butterflies. This story will fit in perfectly, and I can’t wait to read it out loud to them!
October 19, 2016
Grade: 1-3
Brief Synopsis: This book is about a butterfly that gets lost in a city, far from the blooming gardens and her family. With the help of her new friends, Claire is able to drink the nectar and pollinate lots of flowers. She's able to create a garden in the city which helps her family find her again.
WOW factor: I love that the author informed readers that Glasswing butterflies are real. These butterflies are so cool because they are nearly transparent. They are very fragile but they can travel long distances. The author also urges students to think critically about all the information presented in the book.
Use in classrooms: Teachers can definitely use this book in classroom to inform children about Glasswing species. Students will learn about the importance of butterflies and the different ways butterflies help plants and flowers. Students also get to make predictions throughout the book which is a great language arts exercise.
Why I love this book: There are many reasons to recommend this book because it’s so informative for students. I really like that the author made the topic of butterflies engaging to students by meshing non-fiction elements with fiction. Lastly, the illustrations in this book are so beautiful. They really keep readers engaged.
Brief Synopsis: This book is about a butterfly that gets lost in a city, far from the blooming gardens and her family. With the help of her new friends, Claire is able to drink the nectar and pollinate lots of flowers. She's able to create a garden in the city which helps her family find her again.
WOW factor: I love that the author informed readers that Glasswing butterflies are real. These butterflies are so cool because they are nearly transparent. They are very fragile but they can travel long distances. The author also urges students to think critically about all the information presented in the book.
Use in classrooms: Teachers can definitely use this book in classroom to inform children about Glasswing species. Students will learn about the importance of butterflies and the different ways butterflies help plants and flowers. Students also get to make predictions throughout the book which is a great language arts exercise.
Why I love this book: There are many reasons to recommend this book because it’s so informative for students. I really like that the author made the topic of butterflies engaging to students by meshing non-fiction elements with fiction. Lastly, the illustrations in this book are so beautiful. They really keep readers engaged.
April 30, 2013
I love Elisa Kleven's colorful, detailed illustrations. There is so much to look at here, as is usual in her work. And a lovely story integrated with the art. Glasswing butterflies have clear wings . . . so you can see through them. In South America they call them "mirror butterflies." In this story, Claire is blown away from her family into the city. It's hard for them to find each other, being clear and all. Claire meets other creatures (a bird, a ladybug) who show her where there are flowers. These are pretty scraggly . . . until Claire comes to help pollinate them. And the ant helps with the soil, the bird helps distribute seeds, and the ladybug eats aphids. With the help of her friends, this city garden is soon vibrant and pulsing with life . . . and so bright that other glasswings, including Claire's family, find her.
I know I said it before, but really stunning illustrations. So much to look at, details to pour over. A visual delight.
I know I said it before, but really stunning illustrations. So much to look at, details to pour over. A visual delight.
August 18, 2013
First and foremost, this books has some amazingly colorful and beautiful illustrations (see above). A reader can be lost in the pictures alone, finding new and interesting things with every read. But the story is amazing too. It is about family, making friends, be grateful for being who you are and the wonderful power of nature and pollination. I really loved this book as a parent and teacher. My children loved the story and we looked on the internet about pollination after reading this book. We like to further our education when a book brings a topic to our attention. The kids were completely fascinated by the whole idea of pollination. As a teacher, I see many new and wonderful lesson plans for this book! I want to thank Kleven for bringing this story to my family. It will be one we cherish for years to come! 5 stars
July 12, 2015
Klevin, Elisa. Glasswings: A Butterfly’s Story. United States: Dial Books for Young Readers, 2013. Print. This children’s story is about a Glasswing butterfly. One day when she is flying a big wind takes her into the city of New York. There she meets friends and helps a garden of flowers to grow. In time her family comes and finds her. I really thought this book did a good job of telling and keeping the story feel but also incorporating facts about butterflies and about a specific group of butterflies. I think this would be a good book to introduce a science/nature lesson for a younger aged class about Glasswing butterflies. They can learn certain things such as where they are found, how butterflies eat, etc.
September 11, 2013
Hott Synopsis:
“One little butterfly can make a big difference”
One afternoon the beautiful glass-winged butterfly, Claire, is swept away from her beautiful meadow full of lush flowers and scrumptious nectar to a concrete jungle lacking color and nourishment. Knowing no way to return to her family, Claire makes the best of it and makes a big difference!
Hott Review:
What I liked: Adorable! I really enjoyed this book & will absolutely share it. It’s a great book to keep in your library and share!
What I didn’t like: Nothing!
More…
Author: Elisa Kleven
Source: JKS Communications
Grade: B+
Ages: 2-8
“One little butterfly can make a big difference”
One afternoon the beautiful glass-winged butterfly, Claire, is swept away from her beautiful meadow full of lush flowers and scrumptious nectar to a concrete jungle lacking color and nourishment. Knowing no way to return to her family, Claire makes the best of it and makes a big difference!
Hott Review:
What I liked: Adorable! I really enjoyed this book & will absolutely share it. It’s a great book to keep in your library and share!
What I didn’t like: Nothing!
More…
Author: Elisa Kleven
Source: JKS Communications
Grade: B+
Ages: 2-8
July 24, 2016
What a beautiful enviro-story. I didn't know about glasswing butterflies, but now I would love to see one in real life! This story's engaging, but for me, the true star is the art. THe explosion of color is so vibrant, but never harsh. I love seeing all of nature right through Claire's transparent wings.
Seeing the city through Claire's eyes, "a city of concrete and corners," is interesting, and I love how the city creatures relate to her as she turns red as a ladybug, yellow as a taxi, and green as a soda can.
The penultimate spread is just magical! Sure to make a butterfly lover of your kids and an Elisa Kleven fan out of you:>)
Seeing the city through Claire's eyes, "a city of concrete and corners," is interesting, and I love how the city creatures relate to her as she turns red as a ladybug, yellow as a taxi, and green as a soda can.
The penultimate spread is just magical! Sure to make a butterfly lover of your kids and an Elisa Kleven fan out of you:>)
April 29, 2013
I'm an Elisa Kleven fan, so perhaps I'm biased, but I love her work - her collaged illustrations are wonderful. On one page, the hillside of tall city buildings is created from cut rectangles from the insides of business envelopes and water colors. Mmmmm. The windows of the dull gray buildings are alive with colorful life - curtains, people, quilt-y shades and brightly colored clothing. I could just look and look and look. And, there's a happy, satisfying ending to a relatively simple, thoughtful story that also contains a message - and lesson - or two.
June 22, 2013
Elisa Kleven's work just gets brighter and more beautiful with each new turn. Amazingly detailed with tiny drawings, lots of interesting textures, and explosions of color. This charming story is about how Claire, the Glasswing butterfly, gets lost from her family but makes her way in the world. This book makes me want to see these amazing creatures. Time for a trip to Central or South America! And thank you, Elisa Kleven for this amazing and gorgeously illustrated book!
September 14, 2013
I have found another favorite illustrator! Actually I rediscovered the illustrator because as it turns out I have read a number of books she has illustrated, including a number of multicultural books that I have loved. I just happened to pick up this book at the library when I was there picking up some other books on hold--another serendipitous experience. :) Not only are the illustrations incredible, but there is a great message in the story, too.
September 16, 2013
This story is full of beautiful imagery, both literally and figuratively speaking. A young butterfly leaves her home but soon discovers that the grass is not always greener on the other side, and you need your family.
The vibrant pictures kept my 4 year old's attention, and the story is a great lesson for children. The author does a great job and knowing what kids want in a book and what adults need them to learn. I'd recommend this to any parent and young child.
The vibrant pictures kept my 4 year old's attention, and the story is a great lesson for children. The author does a great job and knowing what kids want in a book and what adults need them to learn. I'd recommend this to any parent and young child.
May 23, 2014
Gorgeous, detailed illustrations bring this little story to life. My 3yo loves how Claire, the butterfly, meets friends when she finds herself in the city, and each one of them does his/her part in helping the urban butterfly garden to thrive. This serves as a very touching story for little ones to connect with, while teaching ecological lessons about the web of life in a garden. Both my daughter and I love it!
April 1, 2015
The colors and dreamy nature of the illustrations burst off the page in this imaginative story about a Glasswings butterfly. Claire, the butterfly, gets swept up into a wind and blown to a big city where her transparent wings will make it hard for her family to find her. Fortunately she finds new friends and flowers to make her feel at home in an urban garden. A sweet story that is richly enhanced by the detailed and rich illustrations of its talented author/illustrator. 3+
May 6, 2015
"Claire is a glasswing butterfly. That means she can become the color of whatever shows through her transparent wings. When a gust of wind blows her into a big city, she becomes temporarily separated from her family. The process of pollination and the roles of ladybug, ant, and pigeon in the ecosystem of an urban community garden, are well integrated into this vividly illustrated story about a real species of butterfly."
October 1, 2016
An introduction tells true information about glasswing butterflies, but then this story takes a fictional butterfly, Claire, off on a wild adventure after she makes her way through her home flower gardens. It’s fun to see the imaginative colors in the beautiful out of doors, and to see what butterflies can do when they sip nectar and move from flower to flower. It’s a bit of science and a lot of beauty all together.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews