The Magic School Bus: Butterfly and the Bog Beast: A Book about Butterfly Camouflage

Magic School Bus TV Tie-Ins

by Nancy E. Krulik, Thompson Brothers (Illustrator)

When Phoebe suggests the Walkersville Elementary Butterflies as the name for the soccer team, the others kids think the name is boring and wimpy.
That's when Ms. Firzzle whisks the class off to a bog full of butterflies to learn what those flying creatures are really like.

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

32 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1996

About the author

Nancy Krulik is the author of more than 100 books for children and young adults, including three New York Times bestsellers. She is best known, however, for being the author and creator of the Katie Kazoo Switcheroo book series, which has brought her to the attention of second, third, and fourth graders nationwide.

Nancy has also written extensively for teens and is well known as a biographer of Hollywood's hottest young stars. Her knowledge of the details of celebrities lives has made her a desired guest on several entertainment shows on the E! network as well as on Extra and Access Hollywood. She can be seen there talking about the secret lives of such celebs as Leonardo DiCaprio, Cameron Diaz, Justin Timberlake, Britney Spears, Hilary Duff, and Frankie Muniz. Nancy has also been a guest on radio broadcasts nationwide discussing the superstars she has researched over the years.

As the author of several teen and preteen advice books, including Grosset and Dunlap's Prom!: The Complete Guide to a Truly Spectacular Night, Nancy has been interviewed by several prominent magazines including Cosmo Girl, Teen, Teen People, Seventeen, and Teen Celebrity. She has also been the celebrity guest for three Teen People chat presentations. Nancy has recently begun to delve into the teen novel market, writing four romances for young adults, all of which will be published between 2004 and 2005.

Nancy currently lives in Manhattan with her husband, composer Daniel Burwasser, their two children, Amanda and Ian, and a crazed cockerspaniel named Pepper .

Reviews

[Anna Laskownicka · Rating 1 out of 5]

I realize that this book is very popular in the United States, but for me, an adult Polish reader, it is not really adequate for children. I think this book contains too many information at a time, and it is difficult to follow the order of reading - there are three levels of input (speech bubbles, text, and pictures) which makes the reader confused. Moreover, without a thorough reading of the text, and by looking only at the pictures, it is almost impossible to understand the course of action in the story, as the pictures are not really connected. I think this might be discouraging for smaller children, who had not yet mastered their reading skills. Also, I think that the pictures are too colorful and very gaudy, which makes it chaotic.
On the other hand, I haven't seen any other book from The Magic School Bus series, so I definitely would give it a try if I had a chance.

[ramezan · Rating 3 out of 5]

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[summerside · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my first The Magic School Bus book. I had to say I don't like the illustration but the story is Ok. I know The Magic School Bus are populor in U.S. , so may kids love this book. When I was a little girl, there have a series book called Tiger Team translated from Austria. At that time all girls and boys love Tiger Team. So maybe thoese kind of book not so good but is the sweet memory in the old time.

[Linda Brewer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ms Frizzle is always an interesting way to promote science and nature, and a great way to add a fictional story to a science text set. This one can be added to the butterfly set, or marsh and wetlands, or animals that use camouflage as a defense. This book is rated a Guided reading level P and works well for students K-4.

[Diana · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Magic School Bus books are pretty much like reading a script of the TV show. But since I LOVE the show, that works for me! Besides, there's a lot of good info mixed into the story, fantastical as it is, so it's an easy series to recommend. And the Bog Beast Butterflies just rock.

[Haaley · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love the Magic School Bus. This one was one of the easier-to-read adaptations.

[Sally · Rating 4 out of 5]

We read this as part of our nature study on camouflage.

[K Morlando · Rating 5 out of 5]

We love the magic school bus series of books, they are very educational!

[Isaac · Rating 5 out of 5]

"I love The Magic Schoolbus books and show! It is very fun to watch and read. I learned that butterflies use camouflage. I didn't know that! It's cool that these books teach me stuff."

[Brian · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a fun book to share with my students in combination with the video on YouTube.

[Julia Jasztal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mommy's review from 9/5/11 -



I doubt that a "bad" Magic School Bus book can be found. The stories (and the cartoons) can be a bit annoying for parents/adults I think but the kids love them.
Julia liked this as much as all the others we've read. This story incorporates science into the story, like many others, and one of the great things about these books is that they're totally age appropriate. Whether your kid is 'into' science or not they'll still be able to follow along and understand what's given here. It's simple and at the same time exciting enough to keep attention.
The facts about the insects and butterflies really make you think. Any adult or older child know how butterflies use camouflage in their lives but when it's shown - as it is here - it really makes you think about it instead of just accepting the information and moving on.
I've said this before but the balloon blurbs from single players in the story make for somewhat difficult reading and following along. I guess it'd be more annoying to me if I didn't see the value but I have to admit these do add to the story. Julia likes the funny little comments a few of the kids are known for.
I'm not actively seeking these out but as we happen upon them we get them and read them.
The back of most (all?) of the books have some "extras". This one has a few "letters to the editor" which normally I could do without because the ones I've seen in previous books read were just an annoying added touch and nothing more. The three here weren't so bad though. Then there's a note from Ms. Frizzle herself about butterflies and moths.
Julia usually loses interest in this type of thing, in almost any type of "extra" after a story ends, but she kept her attention here so I think she may be more interested in the subject than I thought.

[Rosalinda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Main Character/s: Phoebe, Ms. Firzzle
Setting: Walkersville Elementary
POV: Narrator and Ms. Firzzle

Summary: This book is a an engaging informational book based on butterflies. Phoebe is a member of the soccer team at Walkersville Elementary and the team is searching for a new team name. Phoebe makes a suggestion to the soccer team, “Walkersville Elementary Butterflies”, and all the members dislike the idea. The other members of the team believe that name suggestion is boring and wimpy; therefore Ms. Firzzle takes it upon herself to educate those students on what butterflies are really like. Ms. Firzzle believes the members dislike the name suggestion because they do not know the truth about butterflies. The soccer team and Ms. Firzzle take a journey on the Magic School Bus to a bog of butterflies. In this bog, Ms. Firzzle teaches the team interesting facts about insects and butterflies. The readers learn many facts that make one think deeply about butterflies and its’ characteristics. In the end the soccer team has a new found love for butterflies.
Classroom uses/theme: I would use this book in my primary classroom because it is an engaging and detailed book about insects and butterflies. This book would be very useful to have during a science unit on Butterflies. The book makes learning a new topic engaging for all readers because of the characters included in the book and because of Ms. Firzzle’s nature of teaching. The soccer team make the learning more relatable because as the reader is learning a new fact so are the members of the team.

[Mary Bennett · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Magic School Bus is a classic collection for children. The series has been entertaining and educating young children for many years. In this particular book Ms.Frizzle the class science teacher takes her students to a butterfly bog. The class gets an up close and personal look at butterflies and other insects that they encounter along the way. Ms. Frizzle is sure to tell her class all the scientific facts about the insects. This is a great book for a school or home library. Students read a fun story but learn something as well.

[Kristy Breese]

What? Ms. Frizzle’s class learns how butterflies can deceive their predators by camouflaging themselves when the class takes a field trip to Butterfly Bog.

So What? Students can learn how smart and quick butterflies can be.

Now What? Before beginning a butterfly unit, I will have students write in their K-W-L Chart about what they already know regarding butterflies and what they would like to learn. Next, we will read the book and discuss as a group the special characteristics butterflies possess, and finally fill out what they learned.

[Little Miss and the Legomeister · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the Magic School Bus books. I've read quite a few over the years. Legomeister loved them a couple of years ago. He still checks them out sometimes, but he doesn't ask me to read them to him anymore. Now it's Little Miss who requests them.

The Magic School Bus Kids learn about butterflies, and how they have spots on their wings to make them look bigger than they are. And they scare Janet, Arnold's look alike cousin.

[Dolly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is another fun book in the Magic School Bus series. The kids need to name their soccer team, but don't know what to pick. When someone suggests the "Butterflies," Ms. Frizzle takes the kids on a field trip to discover more about butterflies. It's a good story, and it's fun to read aloud.

[Holly Chapman · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this Magic School Bus book Ms. Frizzle teachers her class about butterfly camouflage. They go to a bog where they identify different types butterflies. They learn that butterflies are very cool and interesting creatures and are able to camouflage themselves. I would use this book in 1st through 3rd grade classrooms when talking about bugs and insects.

[Literacy Group]

This book is about Ms. Frizzle'class needs to come up with a mascot for their soccer team. Phoebe comes up with a butterfly. The rest of class doesn't like that name. Then Janet comes up with a Bo beast. The students do not know exactly what that is so they go on a field to find out, the children also learn about butterflies.


Grades 3-4

[Karin Adams]

I loved the Magic School Bus books as a child, and still love them. I think they are a great way for children to get interested in topics that they may consider boring in school. This one caught my eye on the shelf, since it is about butterflies and I liked learning!

[Marissa Pezzullo]

This book would be a great book to give to students who want to learn about butterflys. Also any student who loves butterflies might enjoy reading this book. This may not be the best read alout book but it woudld be good to get little bits of information out of.

[Rose]

E Col

[Jordan · Rating 5 out of 5]

What I really liked about this book is that it has science, and I really love science. And what I especially liked about it was that I love insects and butterflies.

[Sharon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another book that's a bit too advanced for the boys at this point. Mostly read by describing the pictures, rather than reading the text.

[Tommy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another book that's a bit too advanced for the boys at this point. Mostly read by describing the pictures, rather than reading the text.

[Danny · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another book that's a bit too advanced for the boys at this point. Mostly read by describing the pictures, rather than reading the text.

[Tracey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book to use in an animal, butterfly, insect, and animal defenses.

[Aliya · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was a good book! I really liked it!