Monarca

by Eva Aridjis, Leopoldo Gout

An illustrated fable for all ages about a Mexican-American girl who transforms into a monarch butterfly and undertakes the great migration to Mexico, Monarca braids together the values of heritage, ecology, and personal transformation.

On her thirteenth birthday, Inés receives a mysterious necklace from her abuela in Mexico that turns her into a monarch butterfly--the fulfilment of a prophecy linking Inés' destiny to her family's legacy and the butterflies' survival.

The adventure continues as Inés joins the monarchs on their long journey south to the butterfly sanctuary in Mexico--an odyssey that has become increasingly perilous due to human activity. Together, the swarm travels from the northeast to the swamps of Louisiana to the pine-filled mountain tops of the western Sierra Madre, finally alighting at the Sierra Chincua sanctuary. On this wondrous journey in the vein of Jonathan Livingston Seagull and The Little Prince, Inés discovers the connections between all living beings, and the urgent need to protect the monarchs' migration and habitats.

Divided into four chapters to mirror the four stages in a monarch's life--egg, larva, pupa and butterfly--Monarca blends Mexican folklore, environmentalism, and magical realism in an enchanting novella. Illustrated with stunning full-color drawings by Leopoldo Gout, this book will inspire readers to protect and cherish the sacred natural world around them.

Genres: Fantasy, Fiction, Graphic Novels, Magical Realism, Young Adult, Comics, Animals

240 pages, Hardcover

First published April 19, 2022

About the author

Eva Aridjis is a prize-winning Mexican-American filmmaker and writer. She has directed five feature-length films which have screened at dozens of festivals including Sundance, Edinburgh and Los Angeles. Eva’s narrative film “The Favor” explores the strained relationship between a teenage boy (Ryan Donowho) and the man who adopts him (Frank Wood) and screened at art house cinemas in the U.S. and on the Sundance Channel. Eva’s second narrative feature “The Blue Eyes” tells the story of an American couple (Zachary Booth and Allison Case) who travel to Chiapas, Mexico and encounter a shape-shifting witch (Ofelia Medina). The film screened in theaters in Mexico and features an original score by JG Thirlwell. “Children of the Street” is a documentary which shows the plight of four street kids living on the streets of Mexico City. It was nominated for two Arieles (Mexican Academy Awards) and won the Best Documentary prize at the Morelia Film Festival. Eva’s second documentary “La Santa Muerte” examines a religious cult of people who worship death as a saint and is narrated by Gael García Bernal. “Chuy, The Wolf Man” is a portrait of a Mexican family with hypertrichosis and highlights the discrimination they suffer due to the hair on their face. The film screened in cinemas in Mexico and received glowing reviews. Eva taught Screenwriting at NYU’s Grad Film Program (where she received her MFA) and wrote on the episodic series "El Candidato" (Amazon/Televisa) and "Narcos: Mexico" Season 2 (Gaumont/Netflix). She is currently developing several series of her own, completing her 4th documentary feature, and preparing to direct her 3rd narrative feature. Eva has also directed many music videos including one for The Walkmen's "The Rat". Eva co-wrote the novella Monarca, published by Harper Collins in 2022.

Reviews

[Laura Hoffman Brauman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Monarch is a gorgeously illustrated fable about a 13 year old Mexican-American girl who turns into a Monarch butterfly and joins in the Monarch migration. She doesn’t understand what is going on at first, but ultimately learns that she has an important role to play in her family and community. This fable explores the idea of responsibility - to our family and our environment, the importance of nature and all the ways that we intersect with it, and the idea of legacy for those who come after us. While the illustrations are exquisite, there are times that the message of the text felt a bit heavy-handed. The story and illustrations worked so well together, that I didn’t always need the exposition in the narrative - the author had made the point within storytelling and art. That being said, I still really appreciated this reading experience and would recommend picking this up if you are interested in environmental fiction or just want to read a book that is truly a work of art.

[Living My Best Book Life · Rating 5 out of 5]

Monarca is a beautiful and vivid story about monarchs, ecology, heritage, and personal growth. I was blown away by the poetic writing and colorful illustrations.

The story follows a young girl Ines who is about to turn thirteen. On her birthday, she receives a necklace from her grandmother and it is supposed to help her on her new journey. It is only a few moments later that she finds out how shocking and unexpected her journey will be.

Ines becomes a monarch and has to migrate with the rest of the monarchs to a sanctuary in Mexico. As she realizes the beauty of her newfound life it becomes easier to accept her journey. Along with the beauty, she discovers how hard it is for monarchs and butterflies to stay alive.

I loved the author's writing along with the bright illustrations. It fit so well and made the book that much more enjoyable. I thought it was genius for the chapters to be the four stages of a monarch's life. It helped bring awareness to how precious these creatures are and how simple things humans do like pesticides or swatting an insect can have such a dramatic ecological effect. On the other hand, the author used these stages of a monarch's life to coincide with a human's growth. So many moments in life are tumultuous and unexpected but learning to stand up for what you believe in makes the journey worth it.

I give Monarca 5 stars. This is a compelling book about life, ecology, and heritage. I loved everything about this book! Readers will enjoy the lively illustrations and meaningful words of the story.

[M Moore · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't know that I've ever read a more beautifully illustrated book! This fable is as educational as it is entertaining. This coming of age story partnered with the honoring of ancient folklore is perfect for any age, but especially middle grade. It would be a great one as a read-a-long with an adult as well.


Thanks to Harper One for this #gifted copy. My thoughts are my own.

[Tamzen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Absolutely beautiful book! Come for the story of how a girl becomes a butterfly and saves the day, stay for the gorgeous artwork. Monarca follows Ines is a young Mexican-American girl, who, on her 13th birthday, is transformed into a monarch butterfly and is told that she must complete her migration to save her family. Her growth is described in the four stages of a butterfly's life cycle. It is super informative and teaches a lot while still telling a story. A great pick for a middle-grade read!
Thanks to HarperOne for the free review copy!

[Mira Akbar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely fantastic. I'm going to save an extra copy just to give to whatever pre-teen comes into my life. Multicultural, scientific, empathetic, inspiring, mind expanding, and soul expanding. This book could have done about half of what it manages and still be great. It's a marvel, and I'm appalled that it's not getting the attention it deserves. This is the kind of radical storytelling we need to give our kids while we still have time to make things right.

[LINDA · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful experience, immerse yourself in this story of ecology and wonder. The text mingles with vibrant evocative art.

[Carolyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Monarca is a unique mix of ecological facts, heritage, and fantasy. The amazing abstract illustrations add to the magical realism feel. While this book is a novel, it blends fiction and nonfiction. It tells the story of Inez, a Mexican-American teenager, who is sent on a mission to save the monarch butterflies. This is a great book for parents to read with their children and is geared more for middle grades and older. I learned so much about monarchs and the challenges they face. I didn't know that their numbers are small enough now that they could be considered an endangered species. While the story is good on it's own, the final section shares simple and practical ways to help sustain and increase the monarch butterfly population.

Here are 3 easy things you can do:
1-Plant milkweed and native wildflowers in your community.
2-Sign an online petition to have monarch butterflies added to the endangered species list.
3- Only buy organic, free-trade avocados.

Thank you so much @harperonebooks for sending me this gorgeous book and the opportunity to read an review it. Monarca is available now!

[Sally Cardella · Rating 5 out of 5]

If I could give this book 10 stars I would! This is a beautifully written and illustrated story! This book will resonate with me for a long time. I highly recommend this outstanding work. The artwork alone is stunning-Let alone the folklore and information regarding Monarch Butterflies.

[Keylie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The illustrations are incredible. So excited to have this to read to children one day. The monarch’s are marvelous creatures.

[Chloe · Rating 1 out of 5]

holy moly this book was just fucking bad!!! skip it and just watch barbie mariposa instead, unless you’re really into purple prose and ecofascism. Seriously, did PETA write this? They hit you over the head with their thesis, which is that humans are bad and selfish and evil.

Also, this book is so pedantic and irritating, so I’m going to be pedantic and irritating here with my (non-exhaustive) list of super fucking dumb stuff in this book:

1. [in large font because it’s supposed to be ~deep~] “there is always movement happening in one’s body, mind, and soul, just as there is always movement in a body of water, in the sky…” (pg 5). HUH??? I mean maybe if you mean blood, but hun water and air are fluids?? Show me the Navier-Stokes equation for my soul pls!!!!

2. Sooo many references to the “fire of the sun”. What fire?? The Sun isn’t on fire, it’s just fusing hydrogen in its core, and if it were on fire, it would have burnt out billions of years ago!!

3. “Ultraviolet contrast” (pg 15, in reference to butterflies being able to see higher energy light than humans). Hate to break it to you, but “contrast” isn’t a synonym for “colors”

4. “Waves of light were now visible in the sky” (pg 15). Bitch that’s not what we mean when we say a photon is both a particle and a wave!!!

5. The colorful streaks light/energy connecting all living forms that are in the UV so humans can’t see them? (Pg 18) Plot hole, why didn’t our UV telescopes see them??

6. Literally every single description of ballet. First of all, if you’re “spinning” in the dance studio, you’re probably not a good ballerina (we TURN, not spin). Also stepping to the side during fouettés? I’m kinda trash at fouettés and even I can’t figure out how to fuck them up that badly (and I literally knocked over a flower pot and shattered it just now while trying to figure out how this is possible). ALSO you just know anytime someone describes ballet as feeling effortless or defying gravity, they don’t know shit about ballet. Just because it’s SUPPOSED to look effortless, that doesn’t mean it is??? That’s why it’s so hard???

7. “She noticed the brisk fall air was having a strange effect on her body today, making her shiver but also filling her with energy” - girl that’s just the fucking definition of “brisk fall air” wym

8. Insomnia is actually not unique to humans?? A lot of mammals are known to develop insomnia, especially under stress

9. The whole second half of the book where they’re like “oooo insects are sooo superior to humans, baby humans take years to learn basic functions”. Okay and???? Bugs have about 200,000 neurons, and I have 86 billion. Checkmate

10. “She thought about humans feeding, and how they helped only themselves when they did so” (80). The authors are really out there thinking humans are just exempt from biology/the ecosystem. Do you know how many microbes I’m feeding with my chipotle burrito in my stomach rn???

11. Why was that man chloroforming butterflies to death? Surely just putting them in an airless jar would do the trick

12. Oh this dumb fucking quote: “no matter how many butterflies there were in a swarm, the word SWARM (in giant pink letters) would always be a singular word, indicating one unit”. No matter how many powdered sugar hostess donuts there were in a hostess donut bag, the word HOSTESS DONUT BAG would always be a singular word 💖

13. More “humans are evil because they eat meat when they don’t have to, unlike animals” tired ass bullshit. The Smiths gave the world “Meat is Murder” (which fucking slaps btw), and it still didn’t make meat murder.

14. Bro why does she get her period right as she saves the butterflies?? The “congrats you can now bear children you’re a woman now” attitude is so fucking tired also

15. What the actual hell was with the overly sensual description of butterfly sex at the end?? “The mating ritual consisting of…the male enclosing the female in his wings and taking her to a secluded place. The male would then transfer a sperm sac from his body to the female’s, and she would carry it inside her, fertilizing each individual egg” (pg 194). Felt like I was reading a George R. R. Martin book for a sec (except his writing would never be this trash)

16. Lastly, the book comparing itself to the art that is the Metamorphosis. 👏keep 👏 gregors 👏 name 👏 outta 👏 yo 👏 mouth 👏

Also, not all species matter, I’m sorry lovebugs don’t deserve to live after one bajillion of them fuck on my windshield while I’m driving

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deeply beautiful and moving! I received this book through a Goodreads Giveaway. It is richly illustrated and beautifully written work whose message us central to the future of all species. This book should be in all schools and libraries!

[Liliana Perez-Vasquez · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn't think this book would be much when I checked it out, but it was actually quite a cute little book. It showed some family values, little life lessons, and what it is to live. Life's short, so live.

[Sonya · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an absolutely beautiful story with amazing images. I was in tears by the end of the story. Definitely a favorite.

[David Garza · Rating 5 out of 5]

The wonderful, full-bleed watercolor & ink illustrations in this book fill every page and were the most striking elements for me as an adult reader. (I'm a sucker for full-bleed artwork.) The scrawling inkwork depicting the butterflies and people, long with the repeating motif of concentric loops, maintained a visual theme that tied the entire book together, from literal cover to cover.

This story has a strong environmental theme. One small complaint: For fiction writing, I found that sometimes the environmental message was delivered a little heavy-handed; the message could have been imparted without breaking the rhythm of the story or dialog. Sometimes, it's not necessary to come across as preachy to get the message across, and I think this is one of those times. But that's me reading as an adult. While this is a good read for all ages, its primary audience is Young Adult or younger. And because of that, I don't think that delivery is out of place.

Now the story ends, and a lovely story it is, but there's one remaining chapter, and this one really add to the value of the book. "Join the Swarm" is where all the emphatic words need to be. "Join the Swarm" gives us all the hard facts about monarch butterflies and describes the pressures that threaten them. The environmental message is highlighted here. What's most elevating is that it also provides action steps to help support monarch populations, such as planting habitat and pollinating gardens. Like the stages of a butterfly's life, the message metamorphoses from words to action.

[Spencer · Rating 2 out of 5]

Really wanted to like this, but found it hard to finish. I felt the messaging was really strong and there was a lot of good information about monarchs and the various threats that endanger them. Many of the images were lovely, particularly the patterns of the monarch wings and all the butterflies flying together connected. I think for maybe young teens or like, ages 10-14, especially ones with interest in butterflies and/or how we can help the environment, this is a great, informative read.

However, being not of this age range and admittedly going in with somewhat high expectations, I wasn't a fan of the way it was written and found the overall blending of fantasy, coming of age, and environmental education and activism quite uneven. I think I expected more from the fantasy side, and also expected it to be a children's book. However, this read first and foremost like an educational introduction to monarchs and the stages of butterfly life/migration, as well as a call to action to their endangerment and climate change overall. This in itself is not a bad thing, but if you were to go in expecting more Guillermo Del Toro or Miyazaki and got more nature doc, it'd require a pretty big shift in expectation.

As well, while much of the language was accessible, it was also very tell don't show. Hence where I think it's aimed at or would be best appreciated at a younger reading level. At the same time though, some of the concepts being discussed and the sequences involving the loggers or other dangers are definitely above reading to younger children. I think some of this could have been alleviated with more focus and trimming from its 200ish page length. It felt like too many ideas and talking points were being crammed in and it hurt Inés' story.

Ah well. Onto the next one!

[Patresa Hartman · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a quick read (less than a day) with beautiful artwork and an important message: Monarch butterflies (and all natural creatures) are vitally important, and humans are really f'ing it up.

After receiving an heirloom from her Mexican abuela on the morning of her 13th birthday, Inés -- who lives in the American northeast, I think -- turns into a monarch butterfly. She joins a swarm of monarchs from Canada migrating South to a butterfly reserve in Michoacán, Mexico, her father's hometown.

Fine. A fable. Suspend disbelief.

The story is lovely and harrowing, as Inés and her butterfly family dodge cars on the interstate, a sadistic butterfly collector, and cropdusters spraying pesticides. In Michoacán, the reserve is being destroyed by illegal loggers making room for highly profitable avocado orchards.

The environmental message is overt and real. I wish the authors had settled on just showing instead of telling, though.

My other qualm (which I kind of feel like an asshole for mentioning) is that the writing isn't as magical as the storyline. The 13-year-old girl talks like she's 55 and sipping cappuccino. She uses words like "film" (instead of "movie"), aesthete (in reference to an alligator) and "the incomparable value of community".

Also, I could have done without the secondary story of puberty.

But again, the artwork is beautiful, and the message is important. I also learned some things, like: ONLY EAT EQUAL EXCHANGE AVOCADOS THAT ARE ETHICALLY GROWN!

And I appreciated that the authors ended with a section about things we can do to help save the monarchs.

[Candance Doerr-Stevens · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book provides a parallel narrative of a monarch butterfly and human’s migration in life. It can be read in both literal and metaphorical ways. I especially like how the book is broken into four chapters to mirror the four stages or forms of a butterfly’s life: 1) Egg, 2) Larva or caterpillar, 3) Pupa or Chrysalis, and 4) Butterfly

The descriptions of the four butterfly forms were all inspiring in their own way and could be presented as occurring recursively throughout life. The stage resonated with most at this reading (April 2025) was the butterfly stage.

The butterfly stage is about “pursuing one’s dreams, doing what one knows is right, and loving others. It is about teaching, creating and reproducing, about passing on gathered knowledge and experience, and making one’s mark on the world” (pg. 132)

I can see younger readers being drawn to this book as they are sorting through where and how to invest their energies and anxieties about the world and how to find a voice.

I look forward to re-reading this book in the future. I can see using this book in a YA lit course and also as a graduation or retirement gift.

Used: Zenith Books

[Melanie]

Not sure what to say entirely, I'll try. Still not settled on a star rating. I loved the colorful illustrations on many of the pages, though I did think of some improvements that could have been made. Some of the pages needed a bit more color.

I loved how this story made me feel as though I was going along the migration journey. I appreciated the factual pages appropriately placed in the book alongside the fictionalized story. I felt compelled to reread them multiple times since I have ADHD.

I think this is a good book to show to middle graders and young adults (so, junior high and high schoolers) to teach them the importance of the helping to alleviate the endangered status of the monarch butterfly. I had already been planting flowers that butterflies tend to like at my home because my mom wants to see them and help feed them. I added another butterfly bush that is purple this year (2023) that I hope survives the winter. I now have pink and purple ones.

[mimo · Rating 4 out of 5]

This graphic novel is many things at once: a coming-of-age tale, a magical realist fable, an environmentalist warning. In terms of the first aspect, it's thematically sound and well-developed. In terms of the second, the illustrations really bring out a sense of wonder - every page is a feast for the eyes. The colours! The textures!

As for the third aspect... honestly, the prose comes across a little didactic at times. I'd be absorbed in the story of the monarch swarm, and then there would be paragraphs of facts about the dangers they face. I think there could have been more effort to slip in that information in a less clunky way. Generally, the prose is also just so-so; the art is what bumps this to 4 stars for me.

[Shelley · Rating 2 out of 5]

Definitely not my cup of tea. My daughter is on a butterfly kick, so I thought I’d give this a try. It’s a children’s book, and only a few hours long. But oh, so preachy!!! I get it - humans are bad, nature is good and perfect, and we humans just ruin everything. It was so blatant and didactic.

Plus, it wasn’t really written on a kids level. The “intrinsic value of community” probably isn’t a phrase that will resonate with kids, and when the author referenced North by Northwest, I laughed out loud. How many kids are up on movies from the 1950s?!?

I suppose the story is fine, if you like butterflies and being lectured to, but i didn’t enjoy it. I listened to the audiobook, and a lot of people talk about the gorgeous pictures, so I missed out on that aspect.

[Elicia Johnson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Summary: decent read, could have been better.

I loved the magical realism of this coming of age tale and some of the lessons the authors had for us. Unfortunately, it was so fast paced and overt that it felt very preachy. I found myself cringing a lot. I think humans learn best through story and as someone who feels strongly about land stewardship, I was excited for it. It was just a little too much. Maybe if the story had slowed down (or just written as an illustrated nonfiction, though I bet the author never would have wanted that), the lessons would have been easier to receive. It was beautifully illustrated (Every page!😍) and the metamorphosis symbolism was lovely.

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely beautifully illustrated story of the monarch butterfly migration. This graphic novel tells the story of a young girl who turns into a monarch and travels with other butterflies on their epic migration south to Mexico. So many obstacles face them and the author makes an impassioned, and well-informed, plea at the end for us to plant milkweeds and engage thoughtfully with our environment in order to ensure their future survival.

[Molly Redfern · Rating 1 out of 5]

Do not buy.
Do not read.
The pictures are pretty.
The story is boring and terribly told.
The story lacks all imagination despite its premise.
The author tells instead of shows.
The journey is boring.
The metaphor is over done and over bearing.
Its call to arms feel like propaganda.
AWFUL AWFUL AWFUL
waste of time and money

[Mandi · Rating 3 out of 5]

This might be the prettiest illustrated novel I've ever read! The watercolor and ink on every single page made this such a feast for the eyes! The story was good, but didn't quite pull me in as much as the art. I 100% support the message though.

Would recommend for mid-to-late elementary kids or as a read along with parents. This definitely belongs in children's libraries.

[Inés · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a beautiful story filled with lovely artwork and life lessons for all ages. Besides having the same name as the main character, I found myself relating to Inés in more ways than one. I don’t believe in coincidences so I do believe this story was meant to to cross my path, and I am grateful for the messages it has reminded me of:)

[Stevie Carroll · Rating 5 out of 5]

An incredibly important story that I can’t wait to find a way to get into my classroom. It is split into the four stages of the butterfly cycle and combines the modern issues monarchs face with historical and cultural contexts of peoples who have sought to protect monarchs from the greed of human capitalism overtime. It is written as a fable would be and includes beautiful watercolor imagery.

[Toni Rose · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an interesting premise, but not 100% my cup of tea. The illustrations were beautiful. One note -- I do not recommend reading this as an ebook. I got it through Kindle Unlimited and the text was sooo tiny, both on my phone and my laptop. I wasn't able to zoom in either. I could click on each text box to open a pop out with larger text, but that took away from the whole experience.

[Toni · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little slow moving, but I liked the way the author broke it up into stages of development and defined each stage as part of human development. Also so interesting to know more about the Monarch butterfly and ways to help them survive.

[Carolyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely beautiful illustrations. This endearing fable has the potential to transform the fate and perspective of the monarch butterfly…similar to how Charlottes Web educated and changed the perspective of spiders

[Justin Sudmeyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This little book deals with some big issues.; from environmental to social issues, not much is off limits in Monarca. All set against the backdrop of some wonderful artwork this was a pleasure to read and something I would recommend for younger readers.