Hello, Little One: A Monarch Butterfly Story

by Zeena Pliska, Fiona Halliday (Illustrations)

Caterpillar crawls from leaf to leaf, eating and waiting, all alone in a big, green world. And then Orange appears—she floats, and flits, and flies, graceful and beautiful. In this sweet, moving story of intergenerational friendship, a small caterpillar is befriended by a glorious monarch butterfly, and together they learn to see the world through each other’s eyes.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Nonfiction, Nature, Storytime, Science, Grief

32 pages, Hardcover

Published May 12, 2020

Reviews

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an interesting children's book. Caterpillar longs for something more in life and when he sees Orange, he realizes that is what he wants to be. With his graceful, beautiful wings Orange talks with Caterpillar every day telling him about his day. Orange tells him to enjoy his day as he munches on the green leaves that surround him.

Caterpillar longs to fly with Orange as he tells him each day about what he does as he flies around. Meanwhile, caterpillar is getting bigger. Orange mentions to Caterpillar about becoming a chrysalis and later, he mentions that they won't be able to fly together. Finally, it's time for them to say goodbye as Caterpillar begins his transformation and Orange leaves.

I have mixed feelings about this book. I enjoyed the relationship they had and the ending. The life cycle at the back of the book and the bibliography was a great addition to the book. I enjoyed the colorful illustrations as the characters stand out on the page. There's not a lot of detail about the transformation but it’s a start. Theres the mention of death so be ready for that, if you’re reading this to a small child. 4.5 stars

[Helen Ishmurzin · Rating 5 out of 5]

When a caterpillar larva emerges from an egg, her whole world consists of the green leaves of the milkweed plant where she lives, which are both her home and her source of food. But then she meets Orange – a huge, graceful, magnificent butterfly – and her horizons quickly widen.

Every day, Orange tells the little caterpillar about the things she sees as she flits and flies over forests, fields and oceans. “Little One” can’t wait for her own turn to arrive, and eventually it does – but not before she has to say a final, poignant goodbye to her good friend, Orange.

There are many books, both fiction and non-fiction that describe the life cycle of a butterfly, but this one is unique for its warmth and depth of feeling, both in words and pictures. The rhythm and alliteration of the text makes it a joy to read aloud, while the illustrations are almost otherworldly in their beauty – Fiona Halliday has a true talent for adding layers and texture to her work to create an effect that is simply breathtaking.

Back matter includes a summary of the different stages of a Monarch butterfly’s life, from egg to adulthood, as well as a bibliography.

[Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book by Zeena Pliska is a poignant and simple introduction to the circle of life, showing grief, dying, living life to its fullest, and leading the next generation. Little One is a young caterpillar who forms an important friendship with Orange, a butterfly. I especially loved the symbolism of Little One's new butterfly wings being wet and dripping like tears. I could feel their sadness and uncertainty in that moment of reentering the world from a cocoon and coping with the loss of their older butterfly friend. And yet, they take off and fly and it is exhilarating and the life cycle continues. This book is powerful because of the equally evocative illustrations by Fiona Halliday. I love the world of green that Little One enters. Orange pops against this scenery and the scenes of both butterflies flying over landscapes are simply breathtaking. I'm not an artist so it's hard to explain but the illustrations somehow look realistic and painterly at the same time. There were moments when I simply had to pause and take in a spread. Such a beautiful book and definitely a good one to share with a young child.

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a beautiful story! It goes through the lifecycle of a monarch, but wrapped in the warmth of a friendship. When Little One, the caterpillar, meets Orange, the beautiful Monarch butterfly, she basks in Orange's stories about the world beyond the milkweed. Little One learns about the world, and what she will face as a caterpillar, chrysalis, and finally a butterfly. But by the time Little One can fly, Orange is gone, and Little One becomes the new Orange to the next Little One.

This story is not just about a monarch's lifecycle. It is about love and loss and life. It is about seeing and basking in the beauties of the world around us. Kids and adults alike will enjoy this story. And I have to mention the art. So beautiful! The perspectives of each, and images of the world Orange describes are just lovely. You'll want to spend time just studying the illustrations.

I highly recommend this one.

[Tara Engel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a beautiful story, yet sad as well.

[Tasha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Caterpillar’s entire world is filled with green after he leaves his egg. Then something orange arrives, soaring high above. Caterpillar calls out to the flying orange thing, but it doesn’t stop. Later, Orange lands nearby to sip nectar from a flower. Caterpillar is eating a leaf nearby. The two spend time together, Orange talking about how they used to feel as a caterpillar and Caterpillar longing to be more like Orange someday. Orange tells all sorts of stories of the things they have seen as they fly. Soon it is time for Caterpillar to form their chrysalis. Orange explains that they won’t be here when Caterpillar emerges. Once caterpillar emerges, they too are a monarch butterfly and are ready to inspire another tiny caterpillar on their journey.

Pliska writes with a tenderness in this picture book. Her words look at the wonder of a new world filled with green leaves and the promise of eventual flight. She creates a natural connection between the two characters who clearly enjoy their shared company. The beauty of the change from caterpillar to butterfly plays out against the sadness of Orange not being there. These quiet and aching moments create quite a special book.

The illustrations in this book are done in traditional and digital mixed media. The colors are so vivid and deep. They are large enough to work well with a group, focusing on the bright colors of the caterpillar and butterfly and also the greens and blues of their surroundings.

A marvelous book about butterflies, their life cycle and the circle of life. Appropriate for ages 4-6.

[Claire Noland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Little Caterpillar begins life in a world of green until he sees Orange, a magnificent monarch butterfly. Orange befriends Little Caterpillar and explains the ways of monarchs. Little Caterpillar loves to hear about the trees, water, and laughing children that Orange sees and longs to join Orange in flight. Sadly, Orange explains that she will not be there when it is time for Little Caterpillar to emerge from its chrysalis in this beautiful story of friendship, loss, and transformation.
Why you need to add HELLO, LITTLE ONE to your bookshelf:
1. The lyrical, uplifting language in HELLO, LITTLE ONE, is beautiful to read aloud.
2. This friendship story between Orange and Little Caterpillar gently develops with question and answer dialog, as the older monarch encourages and instructs her young friend.
3. The author’s experience of working with young children has resulted in a book that honors a child’s intelligence and curiosity about the natural world. It is field with information, wisdom, and heart.
4. The last page includes an illustrated life cycle of the monarch butterfly which is just right for young children.
5. You will want to spend extra time exploring the rich and luscious illustrations. Orange and Little Caterpillar are shown expressing their emotions in a soft and natural way. The vibrant colors of the insects and their world are a perfect tribute to these beautiful creatures.

[Christine Zandt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pick up this book for World Butterfly Day on March 14, 2021.

Zeena Pliska’s picture book shows the monarch butterfly life cycle through the eyes of a newborn caterpillar surrounded by the color green until Orange (a monarch butterfly) soars into view. A friendship grows with the caterpillar wanting to see and know everything while Orange provides gentle guidance. The expressive art by Fiona Halliday zooms in close, providing detail and personality.

Kids will enjoy this relationship story—barely realizing it’s also educational! While much of the book is uplifting, the truth of a monarch’s short existence is handled delicately, with Orange honestly saying they will not be back. The loss is acknowledged and mourned but the main character goes on, boosted by the remembrance of their time together.

I like the circular nature of the story and how personification makes the text accessible to even the youngest kids. Back matter includes detail about the stages: egg, larva (caterpillar), pupa (chrysalis), and adult (butterfly). Check under the book jacket for a second cover image.

[Gabi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story makes wonderful use of accessible, lyrical language and colors – both in the text and in the art – that put the reader inside the caterpillar’s perspective. As our small caterpillar, Little Green, eats and grows, she longs to be like Orange. She repeats, “I can’t wait to fly with Orange.” A sweet friendship grows as Orange prepares Green for life as a chrysalis…and for the end of Orange’s life cycle. At the story’s closing, there’s a beautiful circling back when the new Orange greets a new caterpillar with “Hello, Little One.” The artwork throughout is exquisite, and the back matter includes more details concerning the life stages of the Monarch.

[Pinky · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little caterpillar watches Orange flitter about with amazement. Orange encourages the little caterpillar telling him one day he will also have beautiful wings. When it is time for the little caterpillar to go into his chrysalis Orange wishes him well and adieu. When the little caterpillar emerges he is no longer little or a caterpillar, but Orange is no where to be seen. The little caterpillar, now a beautiful butterfly sees a little caterpillar munching on milkweed like he once did and goes to encourage the little bug just like Orange did for him.

[Maeve · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little caterpillar meets a Monarch butterfly and forms a friendship. The caterpillar learns all about the world from Monarch (who acts as a mentor). When the caterpillar finally transforms into a butterfly, it takes in all the sights and sounds (and misses its Monarch friend who has died) and pays it forward to another young caterpillar.

Part introduction to Monarch butterflies, part gentle story about death.

[Sheri · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful story about a Monarch butterfly and a caterpillar almost ready to spin its cocoon and become a butterfly. The butterfly talks to the caterpillar as a parent assuring him that things will get better and he has much to experience when he/she comes out of the chrysalis and flies. A comforting friend but she cannot wait for the caterpillar because her life will end before the new butterfly emerges.

[Donn Swaby · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a truly touching coming-of-age story, beautifully illustrated, of friendship between a monarch butterfly and a caterpillar. In much the same way that the spider, Charolotte, in Charolotte's Web, teaches the pig Wilbur about the cycles of life, or like how Symba is taught the same concept by his father Mufasa, in The Lion King, so too does the monarch butterfly "school" the caterpillar on the magical life process.

[Valerie Bolling · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful story about the life cycle of a butterfly. It’s vibrant with color and lovely language. There’s also back matter which explains the actual process of how a caterpillar becomes a butterfly. Young scientists will love this book as will other children. After all, who doesn’t love butterflies?

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little caterpillar is envious of butterflies until one stops to say hello. The two form a friendship, but when the caterpillar emerges from the cocoon, the older butterfly has passed away. The newly emerged butterfly befriends a caterpillar, and the cycle of friendship continues. A lovely story to help explain loss and grief, or the cycle of butterfly life.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

This may be my favorite new picture book of this year. It explores a mentor relationship between a butterfly and a curious awestruck caterpillar. Scientifically accurate information is sprinkled throughout the book. A lifecycle chart is included in the back. Themes of death and nature are addressed in a gentle way.

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful story about the life of a monarch butterfly. The illustrations are amazing. It's the cutest caterpillar and butterfly I've ever seen. I loved the interaction and relationship the little caterpillar had with Orange, the fully grown monarch butterfly. It was so sweet and soft like while reading I imagined hearing Orange's voice and to me it was sweet and soft like. I love it.

[Alina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very lovely book about life cycles of butterflies and all creatures. The art is a really neat style. Loved that both characters are gender neutral and I always love a cross-generational friendship/relationship. This is perfect for anyone with little ones who share in their effort to grow milkweed and other butterfly attracting plants

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A young caterpillar is encouraged by an adult monarch butterfly as it grows. Unfortunately, the adult butterfly tells the youth that it won't be around anymore one the caterpillar becomes a butterfly. This subtle acknowledgment of death is pretty rare in children's books, so it might be worth using to talk about that subject at another time.

[Kirstie Myvett · Rating 5 out of 5]

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[Dale · Rating 5 out of 5]

(early) 06.22.2020: per Berea Clerk Supervisor (DaJa) recommendation to my spouse…; 06.24.2020: beautifully drawn, easy to understand the complex life of a butterfly complete with “The Life Cycle of a Monarch Butterfly” information at the end; 2020 hardback via Madison County Public Library, Berea, unnumbered pgs.

[Kim Stence · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautiful book. Covering the life cycle of the Monarch Butterfly. The friendship between the caterpillar and butterfly is an amazing bonus.

[Kris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bright crisp illustrations. Large size. Great for Kinder class read aloud.

[Lauren Kerstein · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this beautiful book!

[Syntha Green · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautifully illustrated

[Jennifer Buchet · Rating 4 out of 5]

A heartfelt story that will have readers falling in love with this gentle creature. A perfect read for classrooms that release butterflies, too!

[Carol Gordon Ekster · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful informational text for young kids. Loved the voice and the approach of this nonfiction topic making it so kid-friendly. Great illustrations as well.

[Erika · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5

[Melanie Hetrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fiction picture book about the life cycle of the Monarch butterfly. A beautiful and simple way to explain egg -> larva -> pupa -> butterfly.

Highly recommended for storytime.

[Cyril · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sweet and gentle, very engaging for our 3-year-old.