Where Butterflies Grow

by Joanne Ryder, Lynne Cherry (Illustrator)

In a field of lacy leaves, a small caterpillar hatches, grows, and sheds its skin, becoming a smooth, green creeper. It eats and changes some more, then in a sequence of remarkable close-ups, spins a sliken sling in which to pupate—until it finally bursts forth as a brilliant black swallowtail butterfly. Includes suggestions on how children can grow butterfiles in their own gardens.

Genres: Picture Books, Animals, Science, Childrens, Nonfiction, Nature, Kids

32 pages, Paperback

Published June 1, 1996

About the author

Joanna Ryder is an award-winning author whose books offer a unique blend of poetry and science. Her innovative Just for a Day series invites children into the world of wild animals, ranging from a sea otter to Tyrannosaurus rex. Ms. Ryder says, "Children know that my books often ask them to imagine being a different creature. So they always ask me which animal I would choose to be. I'd be a flying one, I tell them. Or if I could, I'd wish for wings. And I've discovered children would love wings, too. But which ones to choose? I wrote Rainbow Wings to help us decide." Ms. Ryder lives in Pacific Grove, California.

-taken from www.balkinbuddies.com

Reviews

[Tara Engel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book felt very meditative and while reading it my child went right to sleep.

[Alexis Lattin · Rating 5 out of 5]

1. No awards
2. K-3rd Grade
3. An informational text about a story of a caterpillar and how it transforms into a beautiful butterfly. The story happens within nature being surrounded by other animals.
4. I personally really liked this informational text because it is not simply explaining the process of butterflies growing step by step but it instead incorporated it into a story. This way makes it more exciting and allows the students to learn the process through a story without really thinking about it being a lesson.
5. This book can be used when teaching the life cycle of caterpillars and butterflies for a science lesson. Many activities can come from this, the students can make a diagram or the class can make a butterfly garden to watch the caterpillar grow over time.

[Hannah Holthaus · Rating 4 out of 5]

This would be a perfect book to read to your students when they are learning about the life cycle of caterpillars and butterflies. There are very detailed illustrations in the book which show each stage very clearly. There was some information about caterpillars but you will definitely need some more books to get more in-depth descriptions of caterpillars. I can see this book getting used in a 1st or 2nd-grade classroom, just depending on which grade is teaching about caterpillars.

[Billy Noecker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great story were we are challenged to imagine the life of a butterfly. This story is a relatively easy to read and is complemented by beautiful pictures. This book would appeal to children who have an interest in nature and its beauty. This particular book would pair well with a unit in science where we can incorporate literature to substantiate learning.

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a classic in so many ways. It's detailed, scientific, beautiful, and asks the reader to imagine being a small insect. I think anything that encourages kids to step outside of themselves is fantastic. I recommend this for pre-schoolers who love A Very Hungry Caterpillar or is interested in butterflies.

[Debra McEathron · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautifully illustrated book about the life of a butterfly. The story is told in a poetic way. It has some higher visual language i the story to go along with the beautiful illustrations and some great inset pictures of the progression of the the life of a butterfly. It is a 3.9 level in Accelerated reader.

[Alana · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautiful book. I used it for a 1st grade lesson plan about adding sensory details to a personal narrative. It is the perfect book for teaching visualization and helping students explore sensory language. Great cross curriculum integration of science and literacy.

[Zazie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I did not find anything special about this picture book and did not enjoy the story, the way it was written. I found it boring, in fact. I was disappointed but I am not the intended age for this one, either, so I guess they will enjoy it better than I did.

[BiblioBeruthiel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great, but too long for my crowd.

[McKenzie Emberton · Rating 4 out of 5]

The images were so beautiful and life like. The topic was interesting and unique and I felt like it actually taught something that could have been boring in a interesting way.

[ThePinkCarrot · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beautiful illustrations. Good beginning book on butterflies to stimulate curiosity to find out more about butterflies.

[Jim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Science and beauty. Life and death. An important story for growing up.

[Isaac · Rating 5 out of 5]

"I loved it. It was nice. I asked my little sister to find all of the animals and insects hidden in the book. I love butterflies because they are so pretty."

[Sandra Summers · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was an ok book and informational but I did not like how it referred to the caterpillars as creepers. I feel like this could scare kids.

[Molly · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautifully illustrated picture book about the life cycle of butterflies.

[Quinn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful book about the life of a butterfly

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Author Joanne Ryder and illustrator Lynne Cherry do a wonderful job with the story "Where Butterflies Grow". Throughout this wonderfully illustrated book your child will learn about the life cycle of the black swallowtail butterfly. While reading the story ask your child to find other animals displayed throughout. They will find bunnies, a skunk, mice and many other nature friends.

The author ends the story by sharing "How to Grow Butterflies in Your Own Garden". Also, you will find a before, during and after section of activities to do with you child.

My five year old daughter was delighted to have me read "Where Butterflies Grow". As a homeschool parent I believe this book is very helpful in teaching the life cycle of a black swallowtail butterfly. It is both educational and entertaining. I would recommend this for any home or public library.

This book is geared towards children preschool to second grade.

[Hayley Laporte]

This is a great story about how a butterfly starts as an egg and turns into a caterpillar. It goes through the caterpillars day until it is ready to become a butterfly. Once it becomes a butterfly it talks about where it flies off to.
This is a great book to get kids interested in butterflies and where they come from. It would be for younger readers. It contains a lot of good information for kids to learn and it tells it in a simple story. Kids will be able to easily follow along with the story. The illustrations are double page spreads and very colorful. They include a lot of detail that kids will enjoy. The illustrations are also very realistic so kids could go outside and observe very similar things. It also includes close up pictures so you can the the animal in closer detail. In the back of the book it tells you how you can grow your own butterflies in your own garden. This is a great activity that kids can do at home.

[Sara Andrews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Where Butterflies Grow, I would classify this book as informational even though it is written in the second person. Ryder walks us through the life cycle of a caterpillar, starting as an egg and ending as a beautiful butterfly await to take it’s first flight. The pictures are extremely detailed and very lifelike.

This book would be perfect in a kindergarten or first grade classroom. I would use this book to introduce a butterfly unit. I think the children will be amazed at the illustrations. Also, I think they will be extremely intrigued by the story being told from the caterpillar’s perspective.

[Tirzah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is an appropriate one for a butterfly unit for a kindergarten to third grade class. It goes through each stage of the caterpillar and how butterflies eat and where they fly. At the end of the book, the author shares how you can grow butterflies in your own garden. The illustrations are pretty and soft.

Great for: Kindergarten-3rd grade

Teaches: life cycle of caterpillar/butterfly

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

This non-fiction book tells the story of how and where butterflies grow. The author's notes include additional information for growing your own butterfly garden.

A great book to introduce non-fiction to students. A good book to share before or after a visit to a butterfly garden, or before bringing in a classroom caterpillar.

[Gisele Tamara · Rating 2 out of 5]

Another great book on the life cycle of butterflies. I really loved the illustrations because it captured that real life essence of nature in my opinion. The only thing that I didn't like about the book was that it was a little too long. It may be hard for the children to stay focused throughout the whole story.

[Jasmine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is great for a science lesson when introducing students to how caterpilars become butterflies. Its is a very colorful book and the author also uses simple vocabulary for children of young age.

[Olivia Rowley · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book would be a great book to read to a group of second graders learning the butterfly life cycle. It goes into detail about all the stages of the cycle and has amazing pictures to go along with it.

[Miranda Gaboury · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great book that teaches about the life cycle of the butterfly. Joanne Ryder went in to great detail when writing this book and it will be very effective in helping children learn the stages a caterpillar goes through to become a butterfly.

[Gricel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very complete book to teach children everything about the butterflies cycle of life. The illustrations are marvelous. The text is long so it is better to read it in parts or with older children. Very rich vocabulary. Ages 5-10.

[Finny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mommy says: We all learned something we did not know about caterpillars and butterflies.

[Matthew · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great lyrical text about the metamorphasis of a butterfly. It includes a nice endnote about steps a person can take to provide a butterfly habitat for other butterflies.

[Michaela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perfect book for teaching about the metamorphosis of a butterfly. Great way to integrate literature before a science lesson or activity.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

33 months - A beautiful book! So glad I grabbed this one at the thrift store.