A Thousand White Butterflies

by Jessica Betancourt-Perez, Karen Lynn Williams, Gina Maldonado (Illustrator)

As if being new to the United States wasn't hard enough, Isabella's first day of school is canceled due to snow!

Isabella has recently arrived from Colombia with her mother and abuela. She misses Papa, who is still in South America. It's her first day of school, her make-new-friends day, but when classes are canceled because of too much snow, Isabella misses warm, green, Colombia more than ever. Then Isabella meets Katie and finds out that making friends in the cold is easier than she thought!

Genres: Picture Books, Friendship, Latinx, Childrens, School, Realistic Fiction, Family

40 pages, Hardcover

First published January 19, 2021

Reviews

[Reading_ Tamishly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got to learn new words and a new language!

I got so excited like the child in me who loves reading the best, warm storybooks like this.

This story tells the story of an immigrant child who's feeling quite lonely and is looking forward to make new friends at her new school. But the school has been cancelled because of heavy snowfall.

I love how realistic the characters are represented in this little story. I love the illustrations. They are solid.

A must keep.

Thank you, authors and the publisher for the advance reading copy.

[Reading_ Tamishly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got to learn new words and a new language!

I got so excited like the child in me who loves reading the best, warm storybooks like this.

This story tells the story of an immigrant child who's feeling quite lonely and is looking forward to make new friends at her new school. But the school has been cancelled because of heavy snowfall.

I love how realistic the characters are represented in this little story. I love the illustrations. They are solid.

A must keep.

Thank you, authors and the publisher for the advance reading copy.

[Tarissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely bilingual picture book, about an immigrant girl from Columbia. She's so excited to meet new friends at school, until school gets cancelled due to the falling snow outside. She still finds a way to make a friend anyways!

I really like how some Spanish words and phrases are mixed in to the story, which is mostly told in English. (Plus, there's a glossary in the back -- just in case.)

Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with a free copy in return for an honest opinion.

[Melanie Hetrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

New to the US, Isabella is very excited to make friends at her new school. But school's cancelled the next day due to snow. Isabella is very sad. When she notices a girl slip and fall outside of her house, Isabella hurries to make sure she is all right. The girls become friends and share in making a snowman.

A sweet story of new experience excitement. Sprinkled with Spanish vocabulary, a sure hit in a winter storytime.

[Shelley · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a beuatiful story for my 1st book of 2025.

[Angela De Groot · Rating 4 out of 5]

Moving to a new country can be difficult. New language, new weather and new customs. Plus Papa and friends left behind. Isabella is nervous but excited to start at her new school so she can make new friends. She’s all ready to go, but then snow falls like a thousand white butterflies. Isabella is disappointed and sad. She misses her Papa and the warm Colombian weather. But wait! Who is that outside, slipping and sliding on the sidewalk?

[Maxi Perten · Rating 5 out of 5]

Isabella has recently arrived from Colombia with her mother and abuela.

It's her first day of school, her make-new-friends day, but when classes are cancelled because of too much snow, Isabella misses Colombia more than ever.

Then Isabella meets Katie and finds out that making friends in the cold is easier than she thought!

This is such a lovely picture book - the illustrations are honestly so cute and beautiful!

The thing I love most is that even though the text is mostly in English, there are also some sentences in Spanish in it, with a glossary at the end of the book. I think this is great, because it either provide some familiarity if you are reading this to your kids and they might be in a similar situation as Isabella - or it teaches your kids (and yourself!) a couple of words in a new language!

[Rainbow Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Thousand White Butterflies by Jessica Betancourt-Perez and Karen Lynn Williams is a delightful picture book about making friends.

In A Thousand White Butterflies, we meet Isabella, a young girl whose family recently immigrated to the US from Colombia. Isabella misses her Papa, who is still in Columbia waiting for permission to travel to join his family.

Isabella has big plans to make friends on her first day of school, but the weather has other plans. When school is cancelled because there is too much snow, Isabella misses Colombia more than ever and worries she won’t ever make friends in the United States. But Isabella will soon learn that making friends in her new home is easier than she may have thought!

I really love the Illustrations by Gina Maldonado! They perfectly capture both the atmosphere of a snow day, and all the emotions they bring Isabella.

There is Spanish text peppered throughout Isabella’s conversation with her Mama and Abuelita, and an accompanying glossary in the back of the book.

This is a great selection for both children who have immigrated to a new country and children who have friends and classmates who are immigrants . Children who are immigrants themselves can find their experiences represented in this story. Children who are new to the concept of immigration will find a great example of welcoming new friends, as well as an empathetic look into the thoughts and feelings of a child who is new to their country and school.

I would like to give a big thank you to Charlesbridge for sending me a review copy of A Thousand White Butterflies. It was an absolute delight!

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[Judy & Marianne from Long and Short Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

A little kindness goes a long way.

I loved the way the main character described her first snow day. She gave plenty of practical details about how it works for any readers who might not live in parts of the world where school and other activities are sometimes cancelled due to snowstorms. What really made me smile, though, were all of the little things she added that will probably be most appealing to those of us who have personally experienced snow days. For example, the descriptions of crunching snow were particularly appealing to me because that is exactly what certain types of snow sound like when you walk on them or use them to make snowmen. It was wonderful to see the narrator appeal to readers from such a wide variety of backgrounds like that.

Some sentences were written in Spanish. There was a glossary in the back for anyone who needed English translations of those words which was fabulous, but I think that anyone who already knows a little Spanish could probably figure most of them out on their own. It was wonderful to see Isabella switch between her languages depending on how she was feeling and who she was talking to. Learning a new language is difficult but rewarding. I loved the fact that the narrator conveyed this message so clearly without stating it directly.

There was so much compassion woven into this story. Isabella’s homesickness for Columbia and her yearning to see her father again were shared with the audience in overt as well as subtle ways. I wanted to hug her almost as badly as I wished for a sequel where her family would be reunited and they could experience summer in the United States. Loneliness is even tougher to deal with when the weather is too cold and snowy to go anywhere, so I eagerly kept reading to find out how she’d occupy her time in a foreign country where she didn’t know anyone yet. I can’t go into more detail about the plot twists, but do know that the compassionate themes in the beginning were carried all the way through to the final scene.

A Thousand White Butterflies is the perfect read for immigrants or anyone who wishes to learn about one character’s experience as an immigrant.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Moving to a new city can be challenging at the best of times, but when that city is in a new climate and uses a less familiar language, it can be even more difficult. Isabella and her mother have just emigrated from Colombia to the United States, leaving the world they knew behind them. Isabella is determined to make her father proud and is looking forward to starting school and making new friends. When a snow day changes her plans, though, Isabella must make the most of another new experience.

Isabella’s story reflects the reality of immigrants from all over the world who have come to the United States in search of a better life. Based on one of the authors’ own experiences, the writing encompasses the sadness of leaving friends and loved ones behind alongside the joy of discovering a new home. Short, direct phrases make the story accessible to young readers, while Spanish and English combine to illustrate Isabelle’s transition from one language to another. Onomatopoeia and beautifully descriptive details bring the sights and sounds of Isabella’s world to life.

Cheerful illustrations accompany the text, telling the story through lovely colors and textures. Each face shows emotion, allowing even very young readers to understand Isabella’s feelings and how simple acts of kindness can make a notable difference. Additions like Isabella’s ruana and a sombrero vueltiao connect readers to Colombian culture regardless of their personal experience. Each image is lovingly crafted, and readers will enjoy noticing the detail included in all of them.

At the end of the story, readers will find authors’ notes, more information about immigrants, and a glossary defining the many Spanish words used within the narrative. These additions enhance readers’ empathy toward others as well as their understanding of the wider world. Accessible and heartfelt, this is an excellent addition to libraries for elementary school aged readers.

I received a copy of this book from the author and I chose to leave this review.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Crayons and acrylic illustrations colored digitally in Photoshop complement an immigration story. Newly arrived in the United States from Colombia, Isabella misses her friends and her father who had to stay behind. She is excited for her first day of school even though she has arrived in December because school will give her a chance to meet new friends. She carefully gets everything ready for that all-important first day. But there has been so much snow that school is cancelled, and Isabella won't be able to go. As she looks out the window, feeling very sad and very much wishing that she were back home in Colombia, she sees a girl fall in the snow outside and rushes out to help her. The girl, Katie, explains that she is making a snow angel, and the two girls play together in the snow, using a blend of Spanish and English to communicate. At the end of the day, Isabella feels a lot better about her new home and having a friend with whom to walk to school. An Author's Note, information about immigration, and a glossary of Spanish terms are part of the book's back matter. In simple but relatable fashion, this picture book captures some of the emotions and experiences of young immigrants as they adjust to life in a new land. This book might be useful as a read aloud to provide reassurance that there will be many individuals who will welcome them with open arms.

[McKenzie Richardson · Rating 4 out of 5]

For more bookish thoughts, see my blog: Craft-Cycle

A sweet story about new experiences, a new home, and a new friend.

After Isabella and her mother move to the United States from Colombia, Isabella is anxious for the first day of school and making new friends. There's a lot to get used to. She misses her father who's still in Colombia, isn't used to the cold weather, and is learning English. But when the first day of school is canceled due to too much snow, she finds there are always friends to be made.

A lovely emphasis on new friends learning from one another. Even though they speak different languages, the two friends still find ways to communicate and have fun.

The artwork is warm and beautiful. The text beautifully blends English and Spanish. The Spanish used is quite simple and can generally be determined by well-placed context clues for those unfamiliar. There is also a glossary in the back, which provides translations.

At the back of the book are Authors' Notes about Betancourt-Perez's real-life immigration to the United States, which inspired the story, more information on immigration, and a glossary of terms, including the English translations for the Spanish words used.

Such a sweet book filled with kindness, friendship, and hope paired with the struggles of getting to know a new place.

[Esmeralda Hernandez]

“A Thousand White Butterflies” follows Isabella, who just recently moved to the United States from Colombia. At first she is excited for her first day of school as it will be her chance to make new friends, however school is canceled due to heavy snow. She begins to feel sad about missing her dad and friends back in Colombia, when she meets Katie who is playing outside in the snow. They both play together and quickly become friends. This book follows the theme of friendship as Isabella is eager to make friends, and although it does not go as she had originally planned, she is able to meet someone new, and with some help, overcome the language barrier. This book works as a great read for children who have just recently moved to a new country, and may feel scared or worried about their new surroundings. Rudine Sims Bishop discusses this idea in “Mirrors, Windows, and Sliding Glass Doors”, where books should serve as a mirror for the reader to be able to see their reflection. Then they are able to feel understood and validated in their experiences. By seeing Isabella also go through stages of fear, anxiety, and excitement, other children also understand how difficult it is to move to a completely new environment, and although there is struggle, there is also adventure.

[Theediscerning · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book that reads as a little too designed for its purpose as opposed to being for pure entertainment, but still a success. It's certainly not anything like as worthy as it might have been. Our heroine, freshly living in the USA, misses her dad back in Colombia, and is desperate to find new friends to stop her feeling lonely and sad. However, there's a problem, and while it might look like a million tiny white butterflies outside of her windows, it is in fact snow, and too much snow at that. How can she possibly get her spirits lifted now?

So yes, this does have a strong story arc and a decent narrative, but it was also green-lit in order to be a positive look at bilingual friendships, cross-cultural exploration and integration, as hoped for by the children of immigrant families. To repeat, it's not too worthy that people can't read it for enjoyment – they should – but the real raison-d'etre is the affirmation and moral it leaves. I do hope it finds a place in fulfilling that purpose.

[Emily Walther · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book, "A Thousand White Butterflies" is a great read. It teaches many valuable lessons to students all over the world. This book is about Isabella, who has recently moved to the United States from Colombia. Her Papa could not join her, but she was able to travel with her grandmother and mother. Unfortunately, on Isabella's first day of her schooling, school was canceled because of too much snow. She was excited to make new friends, so this news was very disappointing to Isabella. This makes her miss her home now more than ever! While Isabella is playing outside in the snow, she meets a new friend named Katie. This boosted her spirits and made her more hopeful for the future. This showed great resilience for Isabella and is a great lesson for other students as well. I loved the lesson in this book and would include it in a read-aloud after lunch for my future students. It would teach the valuable lesson of resilience to the students and teach them that there are always opportunities to make friends around you, even when it is tough!

[Shari · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to #NetGalley for sharing this beautiful story about a little girl experiencing the anticipation of going to a new school and making new friends in a new country. When an unexpected snow day cancels her school plans, Isabella experiences her first snow, comparing the falling flakes to "a thousand white butterflies," and makes a new friend as they play together in the snow. The upcoming day at school is now even sweeter knowing she will have a friend. Generational relationships are depicted with her Abuela and mother (her father is still in Columbia waiting to join them), and the book has a positive, hopeful tone. This is a heartwarming, sweet story about making a new friend that normalizes immigration, a much-needed story right now. The author's notes at the end tell how the authors came to collaborate on this book. I will definitely recommend this for purchase by our library, and will share it with children.

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

First sentence: Outside the window, the United States is cold and gray. The trees without leaves are lonely. Like me. I miss Papa, who is still in Colombia, waiting for permission to travel. My friends are there, too.

Premise/plot: Isabella is new to the United States and is hoping to make some new friends on what would have been her first day at school. However the weather intervenes--for better or worse. Will Isabella make a new friend (on this snow day) anyway?

My thoughts: The narrative is a blend of English and Spanish. It was easy to relate to Isabella. She wears her heart on her sleeve; the book is packed with emotion: sadness, loneliness, hope, disappointment, joy, love, and even peace. Things may be different here than in Columbia--but there is still plenty to be thankful for and enjoy.

I enjoyed this one. It was so descriptive.
Everything is white, so white. Mariposa wings dance in the sky. It looks like a thousand white butterflies.

[Salena Palacio · Rating 3 out of 5]

I chose this book because it provides a perspective of immigrating to a new country. She misses her dad and has no friends. The topics for this story are immigration experiences, feeling lonely and making friends. This story is about girl named Isabella from Colombia who is excited to start school in the United States and make new friends. Her her is cut short when a snow day cancels school. Feeling lonely and missing her father back in Colombia, Isabella’s day brightens when she meets a neighbor named Katie. Despite the snow, they share a special moment that teaches Isabella that friendships can blossom even in the coldest of times. This story is appropriate for children ages 5 to 8 years old. In my classroom I would begin by talking about Isabella's feelings of moving to a new place and how she might feel being away from her father. We would also locate Colombia on the map and discuss the language and culture.

[Rosh · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely litle story of an immigrant child who is missing her Papa but is still excited to make new friends in her new school in the US. But when the snow falls, it looks like her plans are ruined. Or are they?

I loved the depth within the simple words. Through beautiful illustrations and heart-touching words, Jessica Betancourt-Perez makes us connect with little Isabella. She also gives us a glimpse into Columbia with her wonderful use of the native words and accessories.

A beautiful book with a deep message.

I received an advance review copy of the book from NetGalley, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.




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[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

A young girl has immigrated from Colombia, misses her father and her friends, but still is excited for her first day in school. It's a snow day and the sad picture of her crying shows the emotion so well. She's prepared and now–snow! That "thousand white butterflies" soon gets her out of the house when she sees a new girl playing outside. They meet, make snow angels and build a snowman. She has a friend! With Spanish words peppered throughout (and a glossary at the back if needed), the text shows the difficulty when one is new and doesn't even understand the new language. The two authors met at a writing workshop and the story of their collaboration is told in the author's note. Simple, full-page, colorful illustrations bring the story to us with all the emotions felt by a young girl. It's a great introduction to immigrants' feelings for reading to a class.

[Michelle Gallegos · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like the intentions of this book about immigration, however, it did not stand out to me that much. This is the story of a girl who moved to the U.S. and being excited for the first day of school but it was canceled due to a snow storm. Thinking she will never make new friends, she spots a girl in her front yard playing in the snow and becomes friends with her. What I did like is that even with a language barrier the girls were still able to communicate and spend quality time together. I have personal experience when I came into the U.S. for the first time. My best friend only knew English but we still managed to communicate. This book comes to show just how innocent minds do not see walls built and will find ways to connect with other people. Something some people still need to learn how to do in this world.

[Rose Rosetree · Rating 5 out of 5]

This endearing story is about many things, none of which turn out to be butterflies.

Isabella is learning how to live in America.
She's facing the immigrant experience head-on, doing all the things she can in order to get ready for school. In the back of her mind:

"I will work hard to make Papa proud."

What a lovely character, this Isabella! Makes me realize how self-absorbed many fictional children are. (And real-life ones, too.) Maybe this book can gently remind kids that they can contribute, can give back. While still having plenty of bandwidth left over for fun!

In this story, Isabella winds up playing in the snow with Katie. Seems to me, that Katie has the makings of a very sweet friend.

FIVE STARS for this wonderful collaboration between Jessica Betancourt-Perez and Karen Lynn Williams.

[Donna Maguire · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review to be added to Amazon UK and US on 19th January 2021 - publication day!

I really enjoyed this story and the illustrations are stunning - they work so well with the story and really do bring the book to life.

The main focus of the book is on a little girl called Isabella, she has recently arrived in the US from Columbia and is about to being her new life and will be starting a new school, but her dad is not yet with the rest of her family so it goes through her worries and concerns.

The book has a great focus on making friends and feeling alone.

The book deals with a couple of tough topics really well - it is 5 stars from me for this one, very well written and the author really gets the message across - very highly recommended!

[Jennie Seaman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cannot express how adorable this little picture book is! Isabella is about to start her first day at a school in the US. She recently moved from Columbia and is super excited about making new friends. Unfortunately, she wakes up on her first day to find a snowstorm and school has been cancelled. She meets a neighbor friend and they have fun all day together! I loved this so much! I loved that the girls played together and were able to understand each other without speaking the same language. I loved that there was no prejudice or fear of someone new. They were just kids! I loved it so much. I loved the Spanish mixed in! I just thoroughly enjoyed it!

*eARC provided in exchange for an honest review*

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really sweet book about a little girl who has just immigrated to the U.S. with her mother and grandmother from Colombia but is missing her father and feels terribly lonely. She is excited about finally starting school but wakes up to discover its a snow day which means no school and no new friends. But in discovering snow, she also discovers a new friend and suddenly things are looking much better. This is a delightful book that gently explores the different aspects of the immigrant experience...feelings of isolation and loneliness, missing those left behind, new culture and environment...while offering suggestions on how to reach out and make new friends. There is so much to share with children in this story that is also fun to read and very relatable.

[Debra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Isabella recently immigrated to America and is living away from her Papa who awaits his visa. She is nervous about making new plans and takes great care to pack her bag and choose her outfit with her Mama and her Abuela. A snowstorm and school cancellation surprises and upsets her as she is very worried about making friends. She sees a child playing in the snow outside and rushes outside to ask if she is okay. It becomes clear that they speak different languages, but the chance to play in snow is a buffer for their language barrier. There is not snow in Columbia, but there are smiles and laughter everywhere.

My students will love this story for both its intermittent Spanish and for the wonderful way neighbors meet and find friendship on a snow day.

[Tricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review. A Thousand White Butterflies is a precious story about Isabella, who is a recent immigrant from Columbia. She lives with her parents and Abuela (grandmother). She’s excited to start at her new school, while missing her grandfather, who is still waiting to come to America from Columbia. Her first day of school ends up getting canceled due to snow and Isabella thinks she might not get to make new friends today after all. She sees a girl playing in the snow and her day turns around. This was a sweet book with beautiful illustrations. There are many kids who will see themselves in this book.

[Jennifer Canaveral · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely story of a young girl named Isabella trying to adjust to her first American winter after leaving the warm comforts of Colombia. She misses her father (who is still in Colombia and in the process of reuniting with the family) and is further dismayed by the cancellation of her much-anticipated first day of school. Despite all the challenges Isabella faces, she finds comfort in meeting a new friend in the midst of a thousand white butterflies :)

This is a wonderful book which teaches children compassion as well as teaching them Spanish words and phrases (with a glossary in the back of the book) they may not have known before.

[Keayra D]

Intended Audience
This book is fitting for children aged 3 and up.
Key themes
The story revolves around a young girl named Isabella a relocated child from Colombia. She is homesick missing her father and acquaintances back home but excitedly expects her first day of school in the United States. Her anxiousness for new journeys and the hope of making new friends represent the theme of a brand-new start and the flexibility of immigrants.
Why I chose this book for my library.
I chose this book for my library because it touches on how moving from one place to another can affect a person and it also touches on the importance of adjusting to a new school setting and making new friends.

[Gabriela Suchecki · Rating 5 out of 5]

A thousand white butterflies by Jessica Betancourt-Perez is a story about new beginnings and feeling lonely. The author is showing the loneliness and the hardship of the new beginnings in the new country. The hardships with changes and missing the people that are left behind is heartbreaking. This story shows that it is not easy to come to a new country, learn a new language and adapt to new cultural differences in this new country. I believe this book shows that chasing a better life is not easy. This book is for readers k-2 grade level. I would read this book in my classroom during the read aloud session.