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Wingmaker
A mix of humor and fact keep the interest high in this creative take on the ever-popular subject of metamorphosis, in which a curious --- and inventive --- old caterpillar has an unusual technique for transforming into a moth. Gramma Tinker is an old, old caterpillar who lives at the end of a cherry tree branch. Leaf and Lou, ant friends who live and work nearby, like to visit her to hear about her latest inventions. One day, Gramma Tinker shows the friends what she calls her greatest invention the Wingmaker 77. Gramma is busy preparing for an upcoming adventure, and Leaf and Lou can't imagine what it might be --- especially when Gramma mysteriously explains that she'll rest inside the Wingmaker for two weeks, and when she emerges she'll be “changed.” Leaf and Lou don't understand. Why does Gramma Tinker need to make wings? And why is she studying flying creatures to learn about flight? What's going on with Gramma Tinker? In this fun, unconventional picture book on the subject of metamorphosis, award-winning magazine writer Dave Cameron stokes children's imaginations about one of nature's wonders. Award-winning illustrator David Huyck's playful imagery of the cheerful and enterprising caterpillar adds to the appeal. The story highlights an intergenerational relationship, featuring a strong older character with an intense scientific curiosity and who delights in inventing. The final page explains the science behind the real Gramma a tent caterpillar who lives about 77 days before making its cocoon and emerging two weeks later as a lappet moth. This is a great choice to add levity to life science lessons on growth and changes in animals, and also on the idea of being an inventor.
- GenresPicture BooksChildrens
32 pages, Hardcover
Published June 1, 2021
13 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
April 24, 2021
I received an advance reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review via netgalley and the publishers.
Wingmaker is an absolutely delightful story about two ants called Leaf and Lou who love visiting their Gramma who is a caterpillar. Gramma is amazing at inventing things to help the insects with everyday tasks and is now making a huge pod to make wings.
Leaf and Lou offer Gramma help to make her wingmaker and have a very shocking surprise (in a good way) when they go to visit her two weeks later.
This book is super cute and such a great way of teaching children of the stages moths and butterflies go through to become what they become.
I loved how this one was about a moth rather than a butterfly too!
Wingmaker is an absolutely delightful story about two ants called Leaf and Lou who love visiting their Gramma who is a caterpillar. Gramma is amazing at inventing things to help the insects with everyday tasks and is now making a huge pod to make wings.
Leaf and Lou offer Gramma help to make her wingmaker and have a very shocking surprise (in a good way) when they go to visit her two weeks later.
This book is super cute and such a great way of teaching children of the stages moths and butterflies go through to become what they become.
I loved how this one was about a moth rather than a butterfly too!
January 25, 2021
Inside a beautiful forest, live two ants named Leaf and Lou.
They have many friends among the other insects and birds but the one they have grown closer to, is a caterpillar called Gramma Tinker who has a keen eye for invention.
Lately, she has been keeping herself busy with making something out of silk and trying to learn as much about flying as possible.
When the ants pay her another visit, she tells them that she is going to sleep within the silk for two weeks, and when she wakes up, she will be changed.
Two weeks pass, and Tinker hasn't appeared. Leaf and Lou visit her home, worried about her well-being and they find a note. In it, Gramma Tinker has asked them to turn the light on and wait.
To their surprise, a moth storms in the room and reveals herself to be Gramma Tinker. She hugs the ants and she bids them farewell before embarking on her new adventures as a newborn moth, and the story ends with the ants happily watching their friend flying towards the moon.
The story is cute, interesting and beautifully illustrated. The writing and dialogue itself is okay.
Generally speaking, I can see this story both as having a nice message about change and embarking on new adventures and as educational to kids about insects and specifically about Gramma Tinkers.
If you made it this far, congratulations!
'Til next time, take care :) :) :)
I received a free e-book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
They have many friends among the other insects and birds but the one they have grown closer to, is a caterpillar called Gramma Tinker who has a keen eye for invention.
Lately, she has been keeping herself busy with making something out of silk and trying to learn as much about flying as possible.
When the ants pay her another visit, she tells them that she is going to sleep within the silk for two weeks, and when she wakes up, she will be changed.
Two weeks pass, and Tinker hasn't appeared. Leaf and Lou visit her home, worried about her well-being and they find a note. In it, Gramma Tinker has asked them to turn the light on and wait.
To their surprise, a moth storms in the room and reveals herself to be Gramma Tinker. She hugs the ants and she bids them farewell before embarking on her new adventures as a newborn moth, and the story ends with the ants happily watching their friend flying towards the moon.
The story is cute, interesting and beautifully illustrated. The writing and dialogue itself is okay.
Generally speaking, I can see this story both as having a nice message about change and embarking on new adventures and as educational to kids about insects and specifically about Gramma Tinkers.
If you made it this far, congratulations!
'Til next time, take care :) :) :)
I received a free e-book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
January 20, 2021
A clever educational book on the metamorphose of the Gramma Tinker moth. With child friendly illustrations, two friends of Gramma Tinker, Leaf and Lou are getting ready for the big change. Gramma tells her friends the changes that will be made. From a crawly bug to a beautiful moth. Your children will have fun with these new friends and learn some interesting facts.. Gramma learns about other flying creatures to get ready for the big day.
One that I found fascinating was that a caterpillar is 77 days old before they turn into a moth. The number is significant in Christian terms and is confirming to me that God's hand is on all creation. The metamorphosis indicates a renewal which is foundational in the Christian faith. Nothing in the book reflects my thoughts here but regardless it was brought to my mind.
A Special thank you to Kids Can Press and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.
One that I found fascinating was that a caterpillar is 77 days old before they turn into a moth. The number is significant in Christian terms and is confirming to me that God's hand is on all creation. The metamorphosis indicates a renewal which is foundational in the Christian faith. Nothing in the book reflects my thoughts here but regardless it was brought to my mind.
A Special thank you to Kids Can Press and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.
December 22, 2020
A pleasantly illustrated story of two ants, whose community benefits greatly from the wacky inventions and knowledge of an elderly caterpillar. A caterpillar who worries the ants by suggesting it will lie in a unique bed for a fortnight then change… Yes, this has turned the lesson about how butterflies and moths pupate into a drama, which isn't too bad an idea. But delaying the inevitable as this does did strike me that however competently this was made, it's not going to be a title that's read often. Three and a half stars.
January 24, 2021
English Review Below.
قصة ظريفة جدا للأطفال عن نملتين تصادقان حشرة ويشهدان تحولها وشرنقتها. أسلوب الرسم جميل وفيها جزء تعليمي في النهاية عن ذلك النوع من الحشرات.
A cute little story about couple of ants befriending a caterpillar called Gramma Tinker, and how they witness her transformation. A cute story with info at the end about this type of caterpillars, while the art style is really cute and engaging.
I thank NNetgalley for the digital ARC
قصة ظريفة جدا للأطفال عن نملتين تصادقان حشرة ويشهدان تحولها وشرنقتها. أسلوب الرسم جميل وفيها جزء تعليمي في النهاية عن ذلك النوع من الحشرات.
A cute little story about couple of ants befriending a caterpillar called Gramma Tinker, and how they witness her transformation. A cute story with info at the end about this type of caterpillars, while the art style is really cute and engaging.
I thank NNetgalley for the digital ARC
January 6, 2021
I was sent to review this book from netgalley
This story tells of two ants who often visit Gramma Caterpillar. In the story the caterpillar talks of how her life is changing and how each day she has a visitor to learn something new.
I guess it’s not really spoiler alert when talking about a caterpillar and changing... the story has been done tile and time again, especially aimed at ks1 children. So what makes this one different, first off let’s just say there isn’t a ‘beautiful butterfly’. Which is nice because children often learn about the caterpillar to butterfly and the moth is a lesser talked about animal that follows the same path. What I liked most about this book that made me give this book 4 stars instead of three is its potential for use in the classroom. I loved how the caterpillar had little guests come and visit her and she conducted research based on her visitors. She focuses on things like wing span, weight, speed, direction, landing, gliding. I feel this allows the book to come from something that can teach a butterfly life cycle to younger children to something that can encourage investigation, research, scientific experiment and classification with older children. I would use it to get children to look at a big question such as : what makes the best flier? Or how do different animals fly? Doing lots of activities based off of how different animals fly and then getting children to design their own flying animal based on what they have learned!
I have given the book 4 stars because I love reading a book that gives me so many ideas for learning potential and this one is a great starting point to be able to delve even further into learning about a manner of different things!
This story tells of two ants who often visit Gramma Caterpillar. In the story the caterpillar talks of how her life is changing and how each day she has a visitor to learn something new.
I guess it’s not really spoiler alert when talking about a caterpillar and changing... the story has been done tile and time again, especially aimed at ks1 children. So what makes this one different, first off let’s just say there isn’t a ‘beautiful butterfly’. Which is nice because children often learn about the caterpillar to butterfly and the moth is a lesser talked about animal that follows the same path. What I liked most about this book that made me give this book 4 stars instead of three is its potential for use in the classroom. I loved how the caterpillar had little guests come and visit her and she conducted research based on her visitors. She focuses on things like wing span, weight, speed, direction, landing, gliding. I feel this allows the book to come from something that can teach a butterfly life cycle to younger children to something that can encourage investigation, research, scientific experiment and classification with older children. I would use it to get children to look at a big question such as : what makes the best flier? Or how do different animals fly? Doing lots of activities based off of how different animals fly and then getting children to design their own flying animal based on what they have learned!
I have given the book 4 stars because I love reading a book that gives me so many ideas for learning potential and this one is a great starting point to be able to delve even further into learning about a manner of different things!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 6, 2021
Dave Cameron's Wingmaker is like The Very Hungry Caterpillar, but for older elementary students. With a scientific backing that's explained in the back matter, the story of an old caterpillar's metamorphosis into a moth is told from the perspective of two young ants. The ants watch as Gamma Tinker, the inventive caterpillar in question, studies all types of wings, taking copious notes all the while. Eventually, Gamma Tinker sends the ants away for two weeks while she works on her own project. When they come back, and turn on the light, in flies Tinker, this time a winged moth!
The classic illustrations contribute both funny details and informational content to the equally engaging text. Readers are exposed to the concept of metamorphosis, the social structure of ants, and the basics of investigative research through an easy-to-read fictional text. It would make a great addition to, particularly, science classrooms.
The classic illustrations contribute both funny details and informational content to the equally engaging text. Readers are exposed to the concept of metamorphosis, the social structure of ants, and the basics of investigative research through an easy-to-read fictional text. It would make a great addition to, particularly, science classrooms.
January 8, 2021
Blending a little science, a little magic and a lot of creativity, the Wingmaker shows the journey of one special caterpillar as she becomes a moth. Gramma Tinker is old and wise, but also an inventor who is ready for her next adventure. Her friends Leaf and Lou the ants watch her get old, weave a cocoon, and transform into something new. Although certainly fictional, this book points out a number of interesting scientific thinking skills and blends warm friendships that go beyond mere proximity. I really enjoyed the lovely illustrations and the clever cast of characters as they illuminated metamorphosis in a new way. This book is a little bit difficult for emerging readers, but it would fit right in with a creative science unit for my class.
December 27, 2020
Free ARC from Netgalley.
In Wingmaker we're told the story of how Gramma Caterpillar turns into a moth, as seen through the eyes of two ant friends.
I loved the illustrations in this book. The story was a tad long and informative I think, which makes it hard to be a favorite for children. But it was a good way of explaining metamorphosis to children.
There's an info section after the story, which tells facts about this particular moth. Not fun for kids, but interesting for the parent reading.
In Wingmaker we're told the story of how Gramma Caterpillar turns into a moth, as seen through the eyes of two ant friends.
I loved the illustrations in this book. The story was a tad long and informative I think, which makes it hard to be a favorite for children. But it was a good way of explaining metamorphosis to children.
There's an info section after the story, which tells facts about this particular moth. Not fun for kids, but interesting for the parent reading.
March 31, 2021
Great read-aloud. Pairs well with "The Very Impatient Caterpillar" by Ray Burach.
Gramma Tinker, the ancient 77-day old caterpillar, invents lots of interesting things for the insects of the forest to enjoy. She is about to embark on a great adventure - a metamorphosis. She;s creating a wingmaker, and her two ant friends Leaf and Lou are excited, but concerned about what will become of their Gramma Tinker. This is a great book to use to introduce metamorphosis to young children, and a brief note "About Gramma Tinker" at the end provides additional information about the lappet moth.
Gramma Tinker, the ancient 77-day old caterpillar, invents lots of interesting things for the insects of the forest to enjoy. She is about to embark on a great adventure - a metamorphosis. She;s creating a wingmaker, and her two ant friends Leaf and Lou are excited, but concerned about what will become of their Gramma Tinker. This is a great book to use to introduce metamorphosis to young children, and a brief note "About Gramma Tinker" at the end provides additional information about the lappet moth.
May 17, 2021
This story is telling about how a caterpillar evolves to a moth. It tells how she has been studying wings for a long time and learns how to get wings. She tells her ant friends that she is going on an adventure and to come back in 2 weeks. When they came back, her house was empty and she surprises them when she shows up as a moth. I like this story and think little kids will really like it. (review by Isaac, 4th grade)
August 23, 2021
This is an interesting story and an interesting take on metamorphosis. If your readers are learning about metamorphosis, this would be a fun story to read aloud to them. The story focuses on a grandma caterpillar who will be changing into a moth. Her ant friends aren't sure how she is going to do it but Gramma Tinker has made a lot of other inventions so she should be able to make wings too. But how? Read to find out.
November 6, 2023
The story follows Gramma, a tent caterpillar, and her friends Leaf and Lou, ants, as Gramma spends her days inventing useful contraptions for the insects around her before spinning her cocoon and turning into a moth. Gramma’s character is fun and feisty, and the author did a wonderful job of weaving science facts into a delightfully imaginative story helping to explain the rather mysterious process of metamorphosis.
May 2, 2021
An interesting take on the caterpillar to butterfly story. The characters are sweet and relatable ( though I was a little confused as to why ants call a caterpillar Gramma) and it tells the story of metamorphosis in a child friendly way with extra facts about Gramma Tinkers particular species of caterpillar and moth, in the back of the book.
December 23, 2020
A fun read thats heartwarming and a great way to learn about the process of catepillars changing. The artwork is really nice and I think it would make a great read for kids!
*Thanks Neltgalley and Kids Can Press for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*
*Thanks Neltgalley and Kids Can Press for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*
May 10, 2021
The illustrations for this book are amazing. Unfortunately, they are the best part. The book talks about a caterpillar becoming a moth in fiction form. It didn't work for me. As a fiction story, it was preachy and dry. As a nonfiction book, it lacked details and specifics.
March 4, 2022
Love the art.
2 worker ants check on their friend, a caterpillar. She prepares for her future as a butterfly and by interviewing creatures with wings and contrasting their form/function. Informative, sweet book. My kids enjoyed it.
2 worker ants check on their friend, a caterpillar. She prepares for her future as a butterfly and by interviewing creatures with wings and contrasting their form/function. Informative, sweet book. My kids enjoyed it.
March 19, 2021
This was such a fun book and i loved the real life educational information it gives in the back ground about gramma tinker
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April 13, 2021This was such a clever take on the process of metamorphosis that is bound to get children interested in caterpillars and butterflies and moths. The illustrations are delightful, too.
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October 1, 2021A playful story all about the insect world and a celebration of metamorphosis. Grandma Tinker is the inventor of the forest and the critters all around enjoy her clever inventions, like a 14 pedal bicycle for a caterpillar. One day, Grandma Tinker starts to create a Wingmaker and tells two little ants, Leaf and Lou, that she will rest inside for two weeks and be changed once the Wingmaker is complete. Eventually she transforms into a moth and says her Wingmaker magic worked.
I found the story fun and charming, though a little clunky at times. The juxtaposition of myth with reality works well and kids can even learn more about the eastern tent caterpillar at the back of the book.
***Note: I was given a review copy of this book by Kids Can Press. Opinions are my own.
I found the story fun and charming, though a little clunky at times. The juxtaposition of myth with reality works well and kids can even learn more about the eastern tent caterpillar at the back of the book.
***Note: I was given a review copy of this book by Kids Can Press. Opinions are my own.
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April 8, 2021Note: I accessed digital review copies of this book through NetGalley and Edelweiss.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews