IT'S HARD TO BE VELMA entering first grade. That's because everyone has marvelous memories of her two older sisters, who were practically perfect f...
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Feb 21, 2009
Toby
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2010 Monarch Award master list
The end papers depict an army of caterpillars on the front and a swarm of butterflies on the back, with Velma herself, an orange-tipped gratch, emerging over the course of the story from her older sisters’ shadows into a first grader with talents and interests of her own. She finds her 5 minutes of fame in the Butterfly Conservatory when a Monarch butterfly, orange like Velma’s hair, lands on her finger and refuses to leave. Everyone knows you can’t to More...
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Dec 02, 2008
Abigail
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First-grader Velma Gratch longs for a way to distinguish herself, and step out from the shadow cast by her two elder sisters, Frieda and Fiona. With teachers that still speak of Frieda's beautiful singing and Fiona's swift running, not to mention their talent for math and spelling, how can Velma demonstrate that she too is special? The answer comes during a class trip to the butterfly conservatory, where Velma has an enchanted encounter that no one will ever forget...
I "found" More...
I "found" More...
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Dec 07, 2009
Annette
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K-2. Velma Gratch, the youngest of three sisters is entering first grade. When we first meet Velma she is feeling left out in school because the teachers seem to remember her sisters Freida, who had a voice like an angel and Fiona, who ran like the devil. The two older sisters also had a penchant for math and spelling. It seems everyone at school,including the class guinea pig, could remember the older Gratch sisters but no one could even remember Velma's name. Velma then tries to do the opposit
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Nov 11, 2009
SallySnowtiger
rated it: 
Velma Gratch and the Way Cool Butterfly.
Monarch Award Nominee for 2010
K-4th grade
Hawkes's illustrations of caterpillars on the inside cover and butterflies on the back cover represent the main character's metamorphosis. Velma is struggling to find her own unique talents and abilities as the unnoticed, youngest of three Gratch sisters. At the beginning of the story Velma is like a caterpillar and she eventually undergoes a metamorphosis into a butterfly. The illustra More...
Monarch Award Nominee for 2010
K-4th grade
Hawkes's illustrations of caterpillars on the inside cover and butterflies on the back cover represent the main character's metamorphosis. Velma is struggling to find her own unique talents and abilities as the unnoticed, youngest of three Gratch sisters. At the beginning of the story Velma is like a caterpillar and she eventually undergoes a metamorphosis into a butterfly. The illustra More...
Oct 05, 2009
(NS) Lauren
rated it:
Grade Level: K-2
Velma Gratch is the youngest of the three Gratch sisters, and has a tough act to follow as she enters first grade. Her older sisters are remembered fondly by Velma's teachers, making her eager to stand out from the crowd. At first Velma seeks out attention in negative ways, but eventually develops her own unique identity as she becomes entranced by the beautiful world of butterlies.
Students with siblings will relate especially well to this story of fin More...
Velma Gratch is the youngest of the three Gratch sisters, and has a tough act to follow as she enters first grade. Her older sisters are remembered fondly by Velma's teachers, making her eager to stand out from the crowd. At first Velma seeks out attention in negative ways, but eventually develops her own unique identity as she becomes entranced by the beautiful world of butterlies.
Students with siblings will relate especially well to this story of fin More...
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Jan 04, 2012
Laura
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Feb 25, 2010
Lisa
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I just loved this sweet story about Velma, the youngest of the three Gratch sisters. While her older sisters are still remembered by all the teachers for their accomplishments, poor Velma is overlooked, and if noticed, compared to her sisters. This goes on until Velma has an experience with a butterfly on a field trip that not only gives her an identity of her own, but helps her realize that she is "way cool."
I loved the smooth writing style of Alan Madison and the fun an More...
I loved the smooth writing style of Alan Madison and the fun an More...
Dec 10, 2011
Kellee
rated it:
Reviewed at: http://www.teachmentortexts.com/2011/11/...
Summary: Everyone remembers Velma's older two sisters, so Velma is trying to find a way to stand out herself now that she is in 1st grade.
What I Think: Velma is such a fun girl! I truly enjoyed her as a character. As a reader, I found her journey endearing and believable. Now, I liked this book even more as a teacher! First, it deals with choices and how standing out in a negative way is not a positive thing. Also, it More...
Summary: Everyone remembers Velma's older two sisters, so Velma is trying to find a way to stand out herself now that she is in 1st grade.
What I Think: Velma is such a fun girl! I truly enjoyed her as a character. As a reader, I found her journey endearing and believable. Now, I liked this book even more as a teacher! First, it deals with choices and how standing out in a negative way is not a positive thing. Also, it More...
Aug 06, 2008
george
rated it:
Velma Gratch is the youngest of the three Gratch sisters and is entering the first grade. But it's not very much fun since all her teachers know about her are the good things her older sisters did. Velma tries everything to get special attnention just for her, but nothing seems to work. Then her science class starts to learn about butterfiles and Velma is fascinated. She learns everything she can about them and then she gets the fabulous news that her class is going to the butterfly conservatory
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Apr 23, 2008
Terry
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Remember first grade? Does your teacher remember you? Everyone remembers Frieda and Fiona, the older Gratch sisters, but no one notices Velma. They can't even remember her name! Velma is very sad and doesn't think she belongs in first grade. She isn't a good singer (like Frieda) or good at sports (like Fiona). She likes science, and she LOVES butterflies. When Mr. Plexipuss takes the class to the Butterfly Conservatory, Velma is all aflutter. When a monarch butterfly befriends Velma, what happen
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Feb 25, 2008
Scope
rated it:
Most younger siblings will tell you: an older brother or sister can be a hard act to follow. It never fails – big bro or sis make all the right choices, get the best grades, and generally make it impossible for anyone to top them. “Velma Gratch and the Way Cool Butterfly” tells the story of this familiar family struggle with honesty and humor.
Velma is the youngest of three Gratch sisters, and is desperate to make her mark. The accomplishments of Fiona and Frieda read like a how-to gu More...
Velma is the youngest of three Gratch sisters, and is desperate to make her mark. The accomplishments of Fiona and Frieda read like a how-to gu More...
Feb 17, 2009
Jackie
rated it:
Velma lives in the shadow of her two older 'perfect' sisters. When she enters 1st grade, she wants to be special, too. But, she doesn't have a magnificent singing voice, or the fastest legs in soccer, and she isn't a wiz in math or spelling...but she does love science. When the class takes a field trip to the conservatory (can-serve-the-story), a beautiful Monarch butterfly hitches a ride on Velma's pointer, until she remembers the way to help the butterfly fly home, with stupendous results.
May 15, 2009
Mary Ann
rated it:
I enjoyed reading this book, thinking about how the youngest sister tries to get noticed in school. I especially liked watching my youngest daughter's reaction as I read the book - Emily was so excited about the butterfly choosing Velma, that she (Emily) kept squirming around wanting to know just what happened to the butterfly! It's a cute story that introduces the concept of butterflies migrating during winter, and celebrates the youngest sibling getting attention.
Aug 25, 2010
Dolly
rated it:
This is a wonderful tale about a young girl trying to make a name for herself, following two very differently talented sisters. Velma feels lost and unnoticed, but finds a way to show how very special she is. The illustrations are great - we love the endpapers with the different caterpillars and butterflies depicted. We laughed at the "Orange-Tipped Gratch" and the "Small Gratchis." I like that the larger words are emphasized to help children remember them.
Dec 11, 2008
Lisa
rated it:
This book’s message will resonate with younger siblings who feel overshadowed by their older sisters or brothers. The story is engaging and the pictures are worthy of a story where beautiful butterflies play a large role. I love how science is Velma’s best subject and appreciated the information given about the nature of butterflies. There’s just the right amount of humor and pathos, and Velma and her sisters are all depicted as likeable girls. This would make a good book for discussion within f
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Dec 07, 2010
Jessica
rated it:
This is a book about a girl who wants to be remembered like her two older sisters and finally is when a butterfly lives on her finger. It has a clear beginning, middle, and end as well as an evident problem and solution for children to figure out. This would be a good book to read when learning about butterflies because it explains briefly how they turn into a butterfly with good vocabulary words.
Oct 02, 2009
Shelley
rated it: 
Velma longs to escape the shadow of her older, more accomplished sisters. She wants to be remembered by her teachers and friends. At first Velma stands out by doing negative things such as singing too loud in choir and running too slowly in PE. Eventually Velma becomes interested in butterflies and becomes known for the butterfly that never leaves her finger.
Copyright: 2007
Genre: picture book
Copyright: 2007
Genre: picture book
Jan 09, 2012
Alexis
rated it:
Velma is the youngest of the three Gratch sisters. It's hard living in the shadow of her older sisters, who both left a legacy behind during their years in the first grade. Velma's greatest desire is to distinguish herself as an individual, and when her class begins a unit on butterflies she finds a wonderful way to do so.
Lovely, colorful illustrations and some funny repetition make this an excellent read-aloud book.
Lovely, colorful illustrations and some funny repetition make this an excellent read-aloud book.
Jun 10, 2010
Michelle
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
To view it, click here
Feb 22, 2010
Kathy
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Delightful read-aloud for children! It is one of this year's, Illinois Monarch Nominee Books! Velma is the youngest of 3 sisters. When each of her two older sisters were in first grade, one excelled at singing and the other one excelled at running. Now that Velma is in first grade, she too, wants to be great at something. She finds it through a monarch butterfly! The first-grade students whom I read this to enjoyed it tremendously!
Dec 06, 2010
Katey
rated it:
I know that I have felt like Velma before. I wanted to be my own person and not compared to my sisters. Velma tries to do everything opposite of them but all it does is get her into trouble. Velma finally finds something that makes her special. She learns about what she loves and it allows her to experience something different than her sisters.
Apr 05, 2011
Rebecca
rated it:
Perfect book to talk about butterflies with the students. This book in integrated with science where the teacher can create a extended activity where the students can create the cycles of a butterfly with different noodle types of pasta. Or the teacher can prepare an easter egg containings the items that relates to cycles of butterfly. The students will love to learn about butterflies!
Oct 19, 2009
Joy Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ
rated it:
A very sweet book. Children that love butterflies will enjoy hearing Velma Gratch's story.
I read this to my 3 year old son and he enjoyed the story and illustrations. I enjoyed the plot point that Velma had 2 older sisters and she wanted to be known on her own merits.
I read this to my 3 year old son and he enjoyed the story and illustrations. I enjoyed the plot point that Velma had 2 older sisters and she wanted to be known on her own merits.
Jun 17, 2009
Dawn
rated it:
As the youngest of three sisters, it is hard for Velma Gratch to find a way to be special. That all changes when her class visits a butterfly conservatory and a butterfly choose her finger to land on.
Jul 31, 2011
Kelly
rated it:
This book sends a great message about confidence, being different, and being yourself. It also teaches some cool science lessons and vocabulary about butterflies (migration, metamorphosis, etc.)!
Nov 23, 2009
Janell's Kids
rated it:
Great story for my six year old. After reading it a few times we went to the butterfly enclosure at the Desert Botanical Garden, which is full of monarchs right now. It was perfect!
Jun 12, 2009
Jen
rated it:
About standing out and being an individual. About the wonders of 1st grade. And all about the wonder, and connection we can have with nature, specifically butterflies in all stages of life.
Jan 25, 2012
Stacey
rated it:
An adorable book about a little girl who wants to be remembered by her teachers, since her two older sisters went to the same school and they were remembered for something.
Jan 16, 2011
Alyssa
rated it:
Velma gratch is the youngest of 3 sisters.feeling left out of 1st grade because she is the 1st gratch sister to go to the principals office...but will things turn out right
Dec 14, 2011
Michael
rated it:
Velma is looking for a way to distinguish herself and develops a fascination with butterflies. A great book for showing the desire to learn...books illustrating inquiry.
