Carlito's Butterfly / La mariposa de Carlito

by Angèle Delaunois, Ann Marie Boulanger (translator), Patricia Bendito Gordon (translator)

Carlito has recently immigrated and he misses Mexico.


During a walk with his friend Samia, he recognizes a magnificent orange and black butterfly—a monarch! He remembers visiting a forest in Mexico where the monarch butterflies spend the winter. Through the monarch’s migratory story, Carlito and Samia realize that they can have two countries to call home, just like the butterflies. 


The book includes information about monarch butterflies, their migration, their role in our ecosystems, the threats they face and tips on how to help butterflies thrive.


This bilingual book includes full text in both English and Spanish.

Genres: Picture Books

32 pages, Hardcover

Published April 15, 2025

About the author

Angèle Delaunois is a Canadian author born in France and living in Quebec. She was born in Granville and came to Quebec in 1968, becoming a Canadian citizen in 1976. She earned a BA in plastic arts from the Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières and was a lecturer there for ten years.

Reviews

[Christie Kaaland · Rating 3 out of 5]

Carlito briefly shares his experiences having immigrated to the U.S. (apparently) from Mexico ~~ both the good and difficult parts of transitioning to a new life. He has made a friend, Sami, who also immigrated from an unnamed country on the other side of the globe. What brings them closer is the experience of seeing a monarch butterfly and Carlito sharing his adventure in Mexico visiting the migrating monarchs. Blatantly stated, their discovery includes, "Both butterflies and people can have two countries and love them both." Cartoon illustrations soften the didactic message.