Butternut and the Flying Butter

by Jill Dana, Anusha Santosh (illustrator)

Genres: Picture Books

32 pages, Hardcover

Published September 24, 2024

About the author

Jill Dana is an author, illustrator, artist, teacher, and filmmaker.

For more about Jill and her books, visit www.JillDanaBooks.com or her social media @JillDanaBooks

Reviews

[Jolene Gutiérrez · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adored Butternut books 1 and 2, and this third book is no different! Jill Dana knows how to add so many different teachable layers to her stories. In this book, Butternut hears about the Flying Butter at the Spring Plant Show, but the show is outside, and he'll have to travel through the big glass doors, which terrifies him. He talks to friends and gets advice. Side note: I love that each character is distinct and has their own unique quirks. After going on a mini-quest to learn how to soothe his fears, Butternut visualizes, practices affirmations, sings, counts, and relies on the support of his friends to find his courage and go outside! While there, he sees the Spring Plant Show and--not Flying Butter, but butterflies! This book is filled with fun, punny language and adorable illustrations. Back matter includes discussion questions and information about the life cycle of butterflies. Highly recommended for all homes, schools, and libraries!

[Christine Zandt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like how this book connects with readers on many levels. It's a fun story featuring talking fruits, vegetables, and plants. They're cleverly used. For example, Elderberry Jelly is a wise one and Starfruit is a star singer. The book is funny but also teaches kids about produce they may not know (for example, Dragonfruit--who is illustrated really well).

Kids will learn that lime trees are host plants for butters (i.e., butterflies) and the butterfly life cycle is included in the back matter as are discussion questions.

[Mariam Shapera · Rating 5 out of 5]

The kids absolutely loved this adorable book in the Butternut series. Here the adventures continue when Butternut needs to go through the sliding doors but is afraid to. It is a book that teaches children to overcome their fears with the help of friends and then ultimately by themselves. We have always loved the smart wordplay and the humor used. The illustrations are again full of life and fill the pages beautifully. A great addition to any school library!!

[Laura Bower · Rating 5 out of 5]

Butternut is back and this time he wants to attend the Spring Plant Show. The only problem? Butternut has to leave the supermarket’s sliding doors and he is afraid. Kids will be able to relate to Butternut’s fear — including the case of the what-ifs he gets (i.e. What if I’m stuck outside all alone, or get smooshed)? Butternut’s friends offer suggestions to help him address his fear — counting, singing, being sandwiched between friends , etc. With his friends advice/guidance he is able to get through the sliding doors. On the way back home though, he realizes he can do it all on his own (especially when he sees a butterfly trapped on the other side of the doors)! Butternut and The Flying Butter is a story about friendship, addressing/overcoming fear and resiliency. The fun food-themed wordplay and cheery illustrations make it a delight to read.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Butternut squash that gets the jitters? Sign me up! With a healthy dose of food puns, this whimsical picture book introduces kids to the positive power of visualization, affirmations, and other strategies for calming nerves. Jill Dana’s text and Anusha Santosh’s art make a delightful pairing.

[Tracy Gold · Rating 5 out of 5]

So cute! Follow silly plants on a fun adventure with a side of learning. Great for kids who are learning about compound words, or who may need a little help facing a fear!

[Srividhya Venkat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Butternut, who lives in a grocery store, wants to attend the Spring Plant Show and watch the "flying butter" performance. But in order to get there, he must pass through the scary, swooshing sliding doors of the store. Fortunately, he has friends in the store for help and guidance.

I enjoyed this third book in the Butternut series. If you're unfamiliar with the series, each book revolves around socio-emotional learning and features Butternut, an unusual, but sweet character who's kind, gentle and helpful. The series has a wide cast of fun characters from the grocery store that young readers will love looking at in the colorful, engaging illustrations.

Butternut and the Flying Butter is a story of finding friendship, helping others, and learning to overcome your fears. I especially loved the calming techniques suggested that, I believe, are good for readers of all ages (I learned a thing or two there!!). I also loved the little twist in the tale about the "flying butter".

Highly recommended for libraries everywhere.

[Mariana Ríos · Rating 5 out of 5]

On this new Butternut adventure in the adorable series written by Jill Dana, the cute squash faces its worst fears in order to achieve the goal of going outside to the Spring Plant Show.

Butternut is terrified of the glass sliding doors at the store and they are precisely the obstacle he needs to overcome if he wants to see the outdoor performance of the Flying Butter. With help from his besties and their valuable advice to conquer his fears (including visualization, affirmations, singing and counting), Butternut will finally muster up the courage to face the sliding doors by himself.

With interesting back matter and colorful and engaging illustrations by Anusha Santosh, this book is one that children will enjoy. I highly recommend it for school, libraries, and homes.

[Shachi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great story in the book series of Butternut. In this series, Butternut is afraid of the supermarket's sliding doors. When the Spring Plant Show arrives outside, Butternut must confront his fears with the help of his friends at the store and some clever coping strategies. The author has weaved themes of friendship, courage, and self-growth. Jill has added anxiety management techniques like visualization, positive affirmations, counting, and singing in a way that's both natural and accessible to young readers.
The illustrations are vibrant and expressive, bringing the supermarket produce to life with distinctive personalities.
The inclusion of discussion questions and a butterfly gardening guide at the end adds educational value and opportunities for further engagement.

[Laura Roettiger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hooray for a new BUTTERNUT book! I love the way Butternut represents all of the emotions we feel as we navigate identity, friendship, and overcoming our fears! In Butternut and the Flying Butter, our hero wants to leave the safety of the grocery story to see the Spring Plant Show but he's afraid. With the help of his friends, he manages to get past the automatic grocery store doors and on his adventure he gains self-confidence. This book has a different illustrator and the art is beautiful, maybe even more vibrant than in the earlier books! A wonderful addition to any school or home library!

[Medeia Sharif · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jill Dana continues the adventures of Butternut in this cute and educational series. The Spring Plant Show is outside, and Butternut begins the story with his fears about going through the automatic sliding doors. There’s also some confusion about a flying butter and a butterfly. This book explores anxiety and compound words, with interesting backmatter on butterfly gardens. Butternut and his grocery friends are always a delight.

[Dara Henry · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s another adorable story by Jill Dana. This third book in the series has a sweet message with punny wordplay. This time Butternut wants to go a flower show, but in order to do so, she has to face her fears! I love that there are discussion questions at the end—nice touch (and good for teachers)! Great for kids who are learning to deal with fears! This book would make a nice addition to a home or school library.

[Megan Woodward · Rating 5 out of 5]

And adorable story about a squash who's afraid of... being squashed! (Or at least getting through the doors that lead outside.) Full of punny wordplay and sweet scrumptious friendships, at its heart, this book is about facing your worst fears. Kids will learn some great coping mechanisms for gathering courage and confidence, as well as some facts about butterflies and their host plants! What fun!

[Maritere Rodriguez Bellas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ahh, my favorite Butternut is BACK! This time, the Spring Plant Show is coming, and Butternut really wants to go outside the supermarket to watch it. But…he must get through the sliding doors first. A story about overcoming fear, friendship, community and a butterfly garden. Written by the talented Jill Dana and illustrated by Anusha Santosh, this story will have children rooting for Butternut and cheering the Flying Butter!

[Gabriella Aldeman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Butternut is back on a new adventure! This time Butternut wants to attend the Spring Plant Show but there's one thing stopping him: fear of the sliding doors. Will he get trapped? smooched? Join the cutest Butternut in this new story where he squashes his fears and anxieties with the help of his friends. This book is a balm for anxieties and a celebration of friendship and community. Jill Dana has done it again!

[Julie Abery · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Jill Dana’s Butternut series, and book 3 does not disappoint. Like the others it's brimming with humor, puns, and fun!! In this book, Butternut has heard wonderful things about the Spring Plant Show and really wants to go, but he’s afraid of the supermarket sliding doors! With help from all his fruit, vegetable, and supermarket friends, Butternut learns strategies to face his fears, brave the doors, and enjoy the show!

[Laurie Carmody · Rating 5 out of 5]

The third installment of the Butternut series SOARS to new heights of fun in this story of overcoming fear. I loved how children will learn multiple ways to work through fear while also giggling at the puns and fun conversations between grocery store vegetable friends. The illustrations add to the enjoyment with cute characters, vivid movement, and colorful spreads. I highly recommend this story to all!

[Stacy Davids · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super cute, fun story and characters! A sweet squash discovers techniques to overcome his fear of going outside his comfort zone and experiencing something new. I loved how Butternut’s grocery store friends supported him and how Butternut was able to go from scared to brave. Kids will enjoy learning about all the less common foods depicted in the book. Back matter includes thought-provoking questions for kids and information about butterflies.

[Hailey Vittrup · Rating 5 out of 5]

*I received this book as a DRC. This book has more educational/ word depth to it than the average children's book. From a clever pun to a compound word to the education of growing a mini butterfly garden in the form of a butterfly host plant, it is interesting from start to finish. I did not expect the ending of this book, and that made it even more fascinating and fun to read.

[Monica Acker · Rating 5 out of 5]

This third book in the BUTTERNUT series continues to deliver punny fun with a sweet message. This time Butternut has to travel through the sliding glass doors to get to the flower show, but those doors are scary! When I was a child, I had a fear of going down escalators so this fear is very relatable. With some sage advice and the power of friendship, Butternut overcomes the fear.

[Rosi Hollinbeck · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very cute story about a butternut squash who has to be brave and face his fears. He want to attend the plant show, but that requires him to go through some scary sliding doors that could squash him. With the help of some friends, Butternut finds his way.Lots of things for kids to learn from this book.

[Suhasini Gupta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Butternut and the Flying Butter by Jill Dana is a fun and whimsical story about a butternut squash who is afraid to roll through the sliding doors. With colorful illustrations and clever wordplay, this engaging tale keeps readers turning the pages to discover how Butternut overcomes his fears with the help of friends, positive affirmations, and a journey into the world of butterflies.

[Angela Padron · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another wonderful story by Jill Dana and her adorable character Butternut. The illustrations are also so cute just like the first two books. I highly recommend this series for young readers - they'll enjoy the adventures of Butternut and learn a lot about food in the process.

[Alliah Agostini · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another sweet Butternut story! Filled with more fascinating foods, fun puns, and a great storyline to provide tips and tricks for dealing with fear and anxiety. Also a fun lesson on compound words, too- we liked the discussion questions at the end.

[Betsy Ellor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adorable! I love this whole series. Butternut with the help of friends conquers fears in an adorable way. The illustrations are engaging and in addition to a fun readable story there are layers of teachable moments that parents and educators can tie into. Another great Butternut book!

[Ryann Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful addition to the Butternut series. Clever wordplay, fun art, introductions to new produce, techniques to help with anxiety, and back matter on butterfly gardening. Very clever and definitely worth reading!

[Songju Daemicke · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is another fun and clever book by the talented Jill Dana. Butternut has to overcome his fear of the big glass doors to enjoy the Spring Plant Show. No problem! His friends are there to support him. This book is filled with fun and puns. Highly recommended.

[Pam Vaughan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Author Jill Dana does it again! Butternut and the Flying Butter is fun, funny, and a wonderful read aloud! Butternut and friends always make me smile. Readers will absolutely love this one too!

[Phoebe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love these Butternut books. They’re so imaginative and my niece can’t get enough.

[Carolyn Watson-Dubisch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Butternut wants to go to the Spring Plant Show with his friends but is afraid of the automatic doors that lead outside. Another wonderful book about Butternut as he faces his fear with a little help from his friends. I always love the colorful art and design in these well written picture books. A section in the back addresses vocabulary and the emotional content in the book. A wonderful addition to your child's bookcase.