Butterwings

Serendipity

by Robin James (Author & Illustrator), Stephen Cosgrove

Butterwings, a young horse with wings, is afraid the other winged horses will laugh at her when she discovers that she has purple spots on her rump.

Genres: Childrens, Picture Books, Fantasy, Horses, Animals, Fiction

32 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1993

About the author

Robin James, gifted illustrator of the bestselling Serendipity books, was born into a family of artists. A native of the Pacific Northwest, Robin has loved art and animals all her life and has been drawing ever since she could hold a pencil. Through the years, she has done a wide variety of artwork from animal portraits to wildlife paintings and is perhaps most recognised for her children’s book illustrations which she began in 1973. She has illustrated over 75 children’s books, and is published worldwide.

At home on MorningStar Ranch & Gallery in picturesque Snohomish, Washington, one quickly spots Robin’s enormous love of animals and nature that is so evident in her illustrations. Not surprisingly, she and her husband, Randy, live with a happy menagerie of animals - all of whom have inspired her illustrations including Allie and Puppy, both rescued greyhounds, two cats, four horses and a flock of pet chickens!

Reviews

[Kimberly Souza · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love

[Atlantis · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is part of a series from the ‘70s (Serendipity). Colorful pictures and a little lesson in each story. About one paragraph a page alongside a full page picture.

[Rosa Cline · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this story a tiny winged pony as she learns about life itself; learns the moral of the story " Laughing at yourself can be the most fun al all." As all baby ponies do as they grow up they start to wonder from their Mama's and be curious and learn about their environment. But the same butterflies that she loved the day she was born and was named after "Butterwings" She saw that the butteflies were laughing at her! They wouldn't stop laughing at her long enough to tell her why they were laughing. She turned her head so far and saw on her bottom that she had purple spots! Oh no! To her that was horrible! She tried everything to get them off but they wouldn't come off; but after a few days she soon learnt the moral of the story. Any child (of any age for that matter) would love this story and realize that laughing at oneself is always the way to go)

I was so surprised and happy to find Mr Cosgrove's books again! I loved these as a little girl. I would always seek them out from our school library (and matter of fact our librarian had to replace a few of the books because they had gotten so worn out after the seven years of elementary (Kg through 6th grade I would check them out) Now I'm finding them for my adult special needs son and my granddaughter and falling in love with them all over again!

[Kaye Shukosky · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is a Serendipity book, never hesitate if you find one of these to immediately get if for you children and read it with them. They are simply wonderful.

They teach life lessons on so many topics while not scaring the child.

[Ilana · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series of books is the most wonderfully illustrated, sweetest series available for children. Each book is beautiful, the animals are so sweetly drawn and each book teaches a wonderful lesson. I still have all of my original copies from my childhood (the 90s).

[Katy Brandes · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very sweet story about self-acceptance.

[Aine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very cute story. Very cute illustrations.

[Amelia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the illustrations of these Serendipity books. The nostalgia of loving these books as a child! The stories are simple, but teach a cute lesson.