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Monarch Butterflies: Explore the Life Journey of One of the Winged Wonders of the World
Monarchs are a favorite and familiar North American butterfly, and their incredible annual migration has captured the popular imagination for generations. As populations of monarchs decline dramatically due to habitat loss and climate change, interest in and enthusiasm for protecting these beloved pollinators has skyrocketed. With easy-to-read text and colorful, engaging illustrations, Monarch Butterflies presents young readers with rich, detailed information about the monarchs’ life cycle, anatomy, and the wonders of their signature migration, as well as how to raise monarchs at home and the cultural significance of monarchs in Day of the Dead celebrations. As the book considers how human behavior has harmed monarchs, it offers substantive ways kids can help make a positive difference. Children will learn how to turn lawns into native plant gardens, become involved in citizen science efforts such as tagging migrating monarchs and participating in population counts, and support organizations that work to conserve butterflies.
48 pages, Hardcover
Published April 27, 2021
4 people are currently reading
73 people want to read
About the author
Ann Hobbie
1 book4 followersAnn Hobbie is the chair of the board of directors at the Monarch Joint Venture, a national partnership of federal and state agencies, non-governmental organizations, businesses, and academic programs working together to conserve the monarch butterfly migration.
Her experience with monarchs began in the late 1990's when she worked with Dr. Karen Oberhauser at the University of Minnesota Monarch Lab to create ways to engage children with these fascinating insects. Ann has spent more than twenty years teaching children, training teachers, and writing curricula related to monarch butterflies, schoolyard ecology, and schoolyard gardening. Hobbie holds an MA in curriculum and instruction. As a writer and teacher, she is most interested in helping children observe and engage with the natural world. She lives in St. Paul, Minnesota.
Her experience with monarchs began in the late 1990's when she worked with Dr. Karen Oberhauser at the University of Minnesota Monarch Lab to create ways to engage children with these fascinating insects. Ann has spent more than twenty years teaching children, training teachers, and writing curricula related to monarch butterflies, schoolyard ecology, and schoolyard gardening. Hobbie holds an MA in curriculum and instruction. As a writer and teacher, she is most interested in helping children observe and engage with the natural world. She lives in St. Paul, Minnesota.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews
February 10, 2021
Did you know I love monarch butterflies? For years I have worked on a garden catered to monarch butterflies, so it was only natural that I wanted to pick up this book!
Monarch Butterflies by Ann Hobbie is a great resource for those looking for a little more information about these orange beauties!
My favourite part about this book is the illustrations - especially the one for the table of contents. The blue sky, the green leaves and the monarch butterflies... I almost want to frame that illustration and put it on my wall. It's beautiful! What a great way to finish off this book - insanely gorgeous illustrations. And you aren't even into the content yet when you see this work of art! I also enjoyed the pictures of the milkweed! You can tell research was done because milkweed is one of the only plants the monarch caterpillars will eat! The chrysalis picture is also on point!
This book is packed tight with information about monarch butterflies. I think eager children (probably aged eight and up) will enjoy this book, but I also think it's a valuable tool for education (whether it be with educators or parents/guardians). Whether you want to learn more about their growth cycle, their physiology and anatomy, what they eat or how they behave - this book is an excellent tool!
Four out of five stars.
Thank you to NetGalley and Storey Publishing for providing me a free copy of this book in exchange of an honest review.
Monarch Butterflies by Ann Hobbie is a great resource for those looking for a little more information about these orange beauties!
My favourite part about this book is the illustrations - especially the one for the table of contents. The blue sky, the green leaves and the monarch butterflies... I almost want to frame that illustration and put it on my wall. It's beautiful! What a great way to finish off this book - insanely gorgeous illustrations. And you aren't even into the content yet when you see this work of art! I also enjoyed the pictures of the milkweed! You can tell research was done because milkweed is one of the only plants the monarch caterpillars will eat! The chrysalis picture is also on point!
This book is packed tight with information about monarch butterflies. I think eager children (probably aged eight and up) will enjoy this book, but I also think it's a valuable tool for education (whether it be with educators or parents/guardians). Whether you want to learn more about their growth cycle, their physiology and anatomy, what they eat or how they behave - this book is an excellent tool!
Four out of five stars.
Thank you to NetGalley and Storey Publishing for providing me a free copy of this book in exchange of an honest review.
September 14, 2021
Having traveled to Mexico some years back with the University of Florida to fulfill a dream of seeing the Monarch migration ,I was delighted to find this gem of a book. I stumbled upon it in a children’s gift department and it would indeed be a delight for a child but it is so much more. Facts are sprinkled with lovely illustrations through out and so many wonders are explained of this amazing creature and its journey. To my surprise,I even learned more tidbits than I have hungerly ingested over the years .A wonderful gift for primary teachers,gardeners, and curiosity seekers.
February 24, 2025
Yes indeed, Monarch Butterflies: Explore the Life Journey of One of the Winged Wonders of the World (2021) is most definitely, is certainly engagingly entertaining (regarding both Ann Hobbie's delightfully educational text and equally so regarding Olga Baumert's colourfully realistic looking accompanying artwork), with Monarch Butterflies: Explore the Life Journey of One of the Winged Wonders of the World verbally and visually highlighting the fascinating life cycle of monarch butterflies, following the nearly 3,000 mile migration millions of these fascinating and enigmatic insects make from Canada and the United States to central Mexico. And yes, Hobbie's narrational flow of details, of information for Monarch Butterflies: Explore the Life Journey of One of the Winged Wonders of the World presents itself as nicely uncluttered, as easy to understand, as appreciatively user-friendly for young readers from about the age of eight or so onwards, but that Monarch Butterflies: Explore the Life Journey of One of the Winged Wonders of the World is in my opinion also more than suitable for teenaged and adult readers who desire something both simple and at the same time more than sufficiently detailed and educational, with a featured text in Monarch Butterflies: Explore the Life Journey of One of the Winged Wonders of the World that facilitates intuitive learning, is interspersed with succinct and easily comprehended mini-paragraphs that are magnified by inserts and unifying facts in eye-candy like orange and yellow bubbles.
Now Baumert's full-page diagrams of the caterpillar, chrysalis, and butterfly stages for the monarch are visually inviting, educationally descriptive, with her precise and visually gorgeous illustrations for Monarch Butterflies: Explore the Life Journey of One of the Winged Wonders of the World flawlessly supporting and often also nicely enhancing and expanding on what Ann Hobbie is penning and that Olga Baumert's colour palette regarding her pictures in Monarch Butterflies: Explore the Life Journey of One of the Winged Wonders of the World also evolves from the bright greens of spring and monarch caterpillars to the oranges of autumn and migrating masses of butterflies. And yes indeed, Hobbie’s brief but (for me) more than sufficiently thorough overview in Monarch Butterflies: Explore the Life Journey of One of the Winged Wonders of the World of the milkweed ecosystem and the monarch butterfly's predators are not only interesting in and of themselves but also make Monarch Butterflies: Explore the Life Journey of One of the Winged Wonders of the World perfect for initiating classroom discussions (both at school and also of course for homeschooling parents as well), and that I was definitely not aware of the fact that the arrival of the migrating monarch butterflies in Mexico generally coincides with Mexico’s Day of the Dead celebrations (November first and second) and that according to Mexican legend and lore, the arriving butterflies (en masse) are considered to be symbols of the spirits of the dead coming back to visit the living.
And while I do very much appreciate how the final section of Monarch Butterflies: Explore the Life Journey of One of the Winged Wonders of the World has Ann Hobbie's words and Olga Baumert's pictures describe the many dangers negatively affecting the monarchs butterfly's chances of survival as a species (like human-caused habitat loss and climate change) and also provides suggested projects for young scientists to help monarchs survive and thrive (such as for example planting milkweed, like building butterfly habitats), I personally do not really find how Hobbie in Monarch Butterflies: Explore the Life Journey of One of the Winged Wonders of the World also describes and seemingly strongly supports and promotes children removing monarch butterfly caterpillars from the wild to rear at home and in captivity as something positive and not (well, at least in my opinion) as something negative, as something inherently problematic (since yes indeed, this is interfering with nature and that many caterpillars that are taken inside to rear often do not in fact survive this). Therefore and indeed, while the combination of text and images in Monarch Butterflies: Explore the Life Journey of One of the Winged Wonders of the World is for the most part very much, is highly successful and as such also to be most warmly recommended (and that the websites for further study, the glossary and the addresses for advocacy groups are a nice added but also expected bonus, although personally, I do wish Ann Hobbie would list both online and book suggestions for further research), I really cannot consider the five stars I was originally considering for Monarch Butterflies: Explore the Life Journey of One of the Winged Wonders of the World with my issues regarding those suggestions Hobbie has about trying to rear monarch butterflies at home, inside and removed from their natural environment (and that my rating for Monarch Butterflies: Explore the Life Journey of One of the Winged Wonders of the World will thus be not five but four stars).
Now Baumert's full-page diagrams of the caterpillar, chrysalis, and butterfly stages for the monarch are visually inviting, educationally descriptive, with her precise and visually gorgeous illustrations for Monarch Butterflies: Explore the Life Journey of One of the Winged Wonders of the World flawlessly supporting and often also nicely enhancing and expanding on what Ann Hobbie is penning and that Olga Baumert's colour palette regarding her pictures in Monarch Butterflies: Explore the Life Journey of One of the Winged Wonders of the World also evolves from the bright greens of spring and monarch caterpillars to the oranges of autumn and migrating masses of butterflies. And yes indeed, Hobbie’s brief but (for me) more than sufficiently thorough overview in Monarch Butterflies: Explore the Life Journey of One of the Winged Wonders of the World of the milkweed ecosystem and the monarch butterfly's predators are not only interesting in and of themselves but also make Monarch Butterflies: Explore the Life Journey of One of the Winged Wonders of the World perfect for initiating classroom discussions (both at school and also of course for homeschooling parents as well), and that I was definitely not aware of the fact that the arrival of the migrating monarch butterflies in Mexico generally coincides with Mexico’s Day of the Dead celebrations (November first and second) and that according to Mexican legend and lore, the arriving butterflies (en masse) are considered to be symbols of the spirits of the dead coming back to visit the living.
And while I do very much appreciate how the final section of Monarch Butterflies: Explore the Life Journey of One of the Winged Wonders of the World has Ann Hobbie's words and Olga Baumert's pictures describe the many dangers negatively affecting the monarchs butterfly's chances of survival as a species (like human-caused habitat loss and climate change) and also provides suggested projects for young scientists to help monarchs survive and thrive (such as for example planting milkweed, like building butterfly habitats), I personally do not really find how Hobbie in Monarch Butterflies: Explore the Life Journey of One of the Winged Wonders of the World also describes and seemingly strongly supports and promotes children removing monarch butterfly caterpillars from the wild to rear at home and in captivity as something positive and not (well, at least in my opinion) as something negative, as something inherently problematic (since yes indeed, this is interfering with nature and that many caterpillars that are taken inside to rear often do not in fact survive this). Therefore and indeed, while the combination of text and images in Monarch Butterflies: Explore the Life Journey of One of the Winged Wonders of the World is for the most part very much, is highly successful and as such also to be most warmly recommended (and that the websites for further study, the glossary and the addresses for advocacy groups are a nice added but also expected bonus, although personally, I do wish Ann Hobbie would list both online and book suggestions for further research), I really cannot consider the five stars I was originally considering for Monarch Butterflies: Explore the Life Journey of One of the Winged Wonders of the World with my issues regarding those suggestions Hobbie has about trying to rear monarch butterflies at home, inside and removed from their natural environment (and that my rating for Monarch Butterflies: Explore the Life Journey of One of the Winged Wonders of the World will thus be not five but four stars).
November 5, 2020
Monarch Butterflies is an absolutely fabulous book that the whole family will love! Written by Ann Hobbie, and beautifully illustrated by Olga Baumert, Monarch Butterflies simply explains all you need to know about these wonderful creatures – from egg to caterpillar to butterfly – where they live, what they eat, and their various migration patterns. It even helps with how to encourage more butterflies in your own home garden! Highly recommended – you won’t be disappointed!
A big thank you to Ann Hobbie, Storey Publishing LLC, and NetGalley for providing a free Advance Reader Copy in exchange for this honest review.
Monarch Butterflies: Explore the Life Journey of One of the Winged Wonders of the World is available March 2, 2021 from Storey Publishing, LLC. Please consider buying from BookShop.org, the online book seller that contributes 75% of the profit margin to support independent bookstores. (Note: Desiree does receive a small commission should you purchase through this link, however she shares this out of her enduring love for corner bookstores everywhere, rather than for any monetary gain.)
#MonarchButterflies
#AnnHobbie
#OlgaBaumert
#StoreyPublishingLLC
#NetGalley
A big thank you to Ann Hobbie, Storey Publishing LLC, and NetGalley for providing a free Advance Reader Copy in exchange for this honest review.
Monarch Butterflies: Explore the Life Journey of One of the Winged Wonders of the World is available March 2, 2021 from Storey Publishing, LLC. Please consider buying from BookShop.org, the online book seller that contributes 75% of the profit margin to support independent bookstores. (Note: Desiree does receive a small commission should you purchase through this link, however she shares this out of her enduring love for corner bookstores everywhere, rather than for any monetary gain.)
#MonarchButterflies
#AnnHobbie
#OlgaBaumert
#StoreyPublishingLLC
#NetGalley
Want to read
October 8, 2020This is so cute. Recommended for nature lovers.Has tons of information along with illustrations about Monarch butterflies.
(Thanks to Storey Publishing for the e-ARC.)
(Thanks to Storey Publishing for the e-ARC.)
April 28, 2021
Monarch Butterflies: Explore the Life Journey of One of the Winged Wonders of the World is a children's picture book written by Ann Hobbie and illustrated by Olga Baumert. It centers on the amazing journey of the Monarch Butterfly, which unites the three countries of North America.
Hobbie's text is rather simplistic, straightforward, and informative. The flow of information is smooth and facilitates intuitive learning in an attention-grabbing format. Interspersed with succinct and easily digestible mini-paragraphs, which gives facts about the Monarch, it’s life cycle, and it's amazing journey. Baumert's precise and exquisite illustrations flawlessly support and enhance the text. Her vibrant color palette slowly evolves from the bright greens of spring and monarch caterpillars to the oranges of fall and migrating butterflies.
The premise of the book is rather straightforward. It highlights the fascinating life cycle of these striking insects and follows the nearly 3,000-mile kaleidoscopic journey millions of monarchs make from Canada and the United States to central Mexico. Furthermore, it also highlights the dangers that threaten the Monarchs mainly from loss of habitat and provides many suggestions on how to save the Monarch Butterfly from being extinct.
All in all, Monarch Butterflies: Explore the Life Journey of One of the Winged Wonders of the World is an important wake-up call to help stem the decline of these monarchs of the skies.
Hobbie's text is rather simplistic, straightforward, and informative. The flow of information is smooth and facilitates intuitive learning in an attention-grabbing format. Interspersed with succinct and easily digestible mini-paragraphs, which gives facts about the Monarch, it’s life cycle, and it's amazing journey. Baumert's precise and exquisite illustrations flawlessly support and enhance the text. Her vibrant color palette slowly evolves from the bright greens of spring and monarch caterpillars to the oranges of fall and migrating butterflies.
The premise of the book is rather straightforward. It highlights the fascinating life cycle of these striking insects and follows the nearly 3,000-mile kaleidoscopic journey millions of monarchs make from Canada and the United States to central Mexico. Furthermore, it also highlights the dangers that threaten the Monarchs mainly from loss of habitat and provides many suggestions on how to save the Monarch Butterfly from being extinct.
All in all, Monarch Butterflies: Explore the Life Journey of One of the Winged Wonders of the World is an important wake-up call to help stem the decline of these monarchs of the skies.
November 8, 2020
Packed with information, that even as an adult, was new to me. The information is presented in a clear manner with beautiful illustrations which will hold the young reader’s attention.
The author’s use of the word “it” to refer to a captiller or butterfly is outdated. We are progressing and non-human animals are being seen as people, therefore our language should evolve as well.
I was disturbed to find the author's suggestion that children rear monarch caterpillars indoors. Other animals are not here for our entertainment. Most caterpillars who are stolen from the wild will die prematurely either from neglect or improper care.
The two issues I had with the book greatly outweighed the knowledge I gained which explains the low review given. If the author were to change “it” to “he or she” or “they” and remove the how to rear section, my review would be higher.
Thank you to Ann Hobbie, Olga Baumert, Storey Publishing, and #NetGallery for an ARC of #MonarchButterflies in return for an honest review. Review will be posted on NetGallery and Goodreads.
The author’s use of the word “it” to refer to a captiller or butterfly is outdated. We are progressing and non-human animals are being seen as people, therefore our language should evolve as well.
I was disturbed to find the author's suggestion that children rear monarch caterpillars indoors. Other animals are not here for our entertainment. Most caterpillars who are stolen from the wild will die prematurely either from neglect or improper care.
The two issues I had with the book greatly outweighed the knowledge I gained which explains the low review given. If the author were to change “it” to “he or she” or “they” and remove the how to rear section, my review would be higher.
Thank you to Ann Hobbie, Olga Baumert, Storey Publishing, and #NetGallery for an ARC of #MonarchButterflies in return for an honest review. Review will be posted on NetGallery and Goodreads.
October 20, 2020
At the beginning, I started this book out of curiosity. But, lo! The author shows her love of these pretty creatures tremendously. With great care, the illustrations were drawn to show us the real animal without making me disgusted of the insect. Drawn to details, this book also helps me recognize the different stage of life of the butterfly, the flowers they consumed, and how to help monarch butterflies that slowly but sure in the danger of extinction.
October 14, 2020
Monarch Butterflies is an educational book about the life cycle of, you guessed it, the monarch butterflies. There's lots of information and many amazing illustrations. The book is suitable both for kids and grown ups.
October 20, 2020
This is a lovely, well illustrated books.
Perfect for children and recommended for use in the classroom.
Perfect for children and recommended for use in the classroom.
January 21, 2021
Monarch Butterflies by Ann Hobbie, illustrated by Olga Baumert published by Storey Publishing.
Thank you to NetGalley and Storey publishing for the opportunity to read and review this wonderful book.
🦋 This book had me captivated from the cover and turning the first few pages did not disappoint! Beautiful illustrations with gorgeous back washes and detailed diagrams. A thourough contents page detailing everything you could possibly wish to know about this spectacular buttery in aacesable and comprehensive sections. I rushed off to preorder before I even properly delved in.
🦋 The book starts at the beginning with the egg stage of the Monarch butterfly and follows the egg into caterpillar stage with wonderful facts I had never read before, that’s pretty impressive for a primary teacher who has covered the life cycle of a butterfly many times!
🦋 The anatomy of the caterpillar is presented in a wonderfully clear diagram with parts included such as the ‘Spiracles’, tiny holes a caterpillar breathes through, who knew! There’s information about the different kind of legs a caterpillar has and which ones remain once metamorphosis is complete.
🦋 Metamorphosis and the anatomy of a the chrysalis and butterfly are presented with exquisitely detailed illustrations that just make my heart sing. The favourite foods and habitat of the monarch butterfly is detailed and then comes the incredible part, the journey!
🦋 I have been lucky enough to watch the ‘flight of the butterfly’, painted ladies migrating over Cyprus. It’s truly a stunning event to witness. The Monarch migrates from North America to Mexico or California, depending on which side of The Rocky Mountains they originate from. This journey is beautifully detailed.
🦋The book then goes on to detail how Monarchs are in danger and wonderfully depicts the fragility of ecosystems and the connections between species. There are many examples of ways to help the Monarch butterfly and how to rear your own.
🦋All though the Monarch is mostly found in America, this book is a must have for any nature enthusiast and I really hope that more books like this are written about other butterflies. A personal plea for the Painted Lady to be next!
🦋 This book delivers in every single way. It goes above and beyond the usual books about butterflies and caterpillars. It imparts all the facts that get children (and adults) hooked, in a way that fascinates the reader. It gives you so much information yet in a wonderfully accessible and memorable way. This will go down as one of my all time favourite books and I can’t wait for it’s release date!
Thank you to NetGalley and Storey publishing for the opportunity to read and review this wonderful book.
🦋 This book had me captivated from the cover and turning the first few pages did not disappoint! Beautiful illustrations with gorgeous back washes and detailed diagrams. A thourough contents page detailing everything you could possibly wish to know about this spectacular buttery in aacesable and comprehensive sections. I rushed off to preorder before I even properly delved in.
🦋 The book starts at the beginning with the egg stage of the Monarch butterfly and follows the egg into caterpillar stage with wonderful facts I had never read before, that’s pretty impressive for a primary teacher who has covered the life cycle of a butterfly many times!
🦋 The anatomy of the caterpillar is presented in a wonderfully clear diagram with parts included such as the ‘Spiracles’, tiny holes a caterpillar breathes through, who knew! There’s information about the different kind of legs a caterpillar has and which ones remain once metamorphosis is complete.
🦋 Metamorphosis and the anatomy of a the chrysalis and butterfly are presented with exquisitely detailed illustrations that just make my heart sing. The favourite foods and habitat of the monarch butterfly is detailed and then comes the incredible part, the journey!
🦋 I have been lucky enough to watch the ‘flight of the butterfly’, painted ladies migrating over Cyprus. It’s truly a stunning event to witness. The Monarch migrates from North America to Mexico or California, depending on which side of The Rocky Mountains they originate from. This journey is beautifully detailed.
🦋The book then goes on to detail how Monarchs are in danger and wonderfully depicts the fragility of ecosystems and the connections between species. There are many examples of ways to help the Monarch butterfly and how to rear your own.
🦋All though the Monarch is mostly found in America, this book is a must have for any nature enthusiast and I really hope that more books like this are written about other butterflies. A personal plea for the Painted Lady to be next!
🦋 This book delivers in every single way. It goes above and beyond the usual books about butterflies and caterpillars. It imparts all the facts that get children (and adults) hooked, in a way that fascinates the reader. It gives you so much information yet in a wonderfully accessible and memorable way. This will go down as one of my all time favourite books and I can’t wait for it’s release date!
February 19, 2021
Gorgeous illustrations. The prettiness of the pages is so wonderful!! The book does go into the life of the Monarch Butterflies and all about them. This would be a wonderful classroom book for the children to look through when talking about life stages!!!! I would highly recommend this book to a teacher or a parent who has a child who loves butterflies.
March 22, 2021
An excellent early-reader picture book all about the beautiful, bright orange Monarch butterflies. If your kid is even remotely interested in butterflies or insects, then they will definitely enjoy this book. Loved the brightly colored and very detailed illustrations and the short, easy-to-understand scientific factoids. Kids will learn a lot and adults won't be too terribly confused by the science-y aspects of this book. Plus: butterflies! Who doesn't love butterflies?
June 14, 2021
Everything you need to learn about the Monarch Butterfly. The life cycle, the habitats, the plants to grow them, AMAZING endpapers with resources, guides, and curriculum options for educators. We need to educate ourselves about Monarch butterflies and create space for these amazing beings. They are crucial to our ecosystems!!
January 14, 2021
**I received and voluntarily read an e-ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.**
Great book with lots of information about about monarch butterflies. Covers everything from the stages of life to what we can do to help prevent the population from further decline.
Great book with lots of information about about monarch butterflies. Covers everything from the stages of life to what we can do to help prevent the population from further decline.
September 25, 2020
To be published on my blog at release: Nonstop Reader.
Monarch Butterflies is a beautifully illustrated guide to the life cycle of the monarch butterfly. Due out 2nd March 2020 from Storey Publishing, it's 48 pages and will be available in hardcover and ebook formats.
Butterflies are perennial favorites, fascinating to watch and beautiful. Currently facing massive habitat loss and sensitive to climate changes and pollution, they're disappearing at an alarming rate. This book is aimed at young readers (1-2nd grade) and discusses the life cycle of the monarch butterfly in age appropriate and accessible language. The illustrations are clear and colorful, and support the simple text well. There is a cool tutorial showing the different types of milkweed which can be planted to support and provide habitat. (I'm a very keen gardener and a huge fan of natural/native planting and I learned quite a bit from the milkweed tutorial). There's also some cool info about tagging and counting monarchs for data collection as well as raising and releasing them.
The author has included a useful abbreviated glossary as well as a links list for further reading and conservation information.
Well written, engaging, and factually accurate, this would make a superlative selection for school or classroom library, home library, or gift for a young reader who likes animals and nature science. This book would have attracted 7 year old me in an instant.
Five stars.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
Monarch Butterflies is a beautifully illustrated guide to the life cycle of the monarch butterfly. Due out 2nd March 2020 from Storey Publishing, it's 48 pages and will be available in hardcover and ebook formats.
Butterflies are perennial favorites, fascinating to watch and beautiful. Currently facing massive habitat loss and sensitive to climate changes and pollution, they're disappearing at an alarming rate. This book is aimed at young readers (1-2nd grade) and discusses the life cycle of the monarch butterfly in age appropriate and accessible language. The illustrations are clear and colorful, and support the simple text well. There is a cool tutorial showing the different types of milkweed which can be planted to support and provide habitat. (I'm a very keen gardener and a huge fan of natural/native planting and I learned quite a bit from the milkweed tutorial). There's also some cool info about tagging and counting monarchs for data collection as well as raising and releasing them.
The author has included a useful abbreviated glossary as well as a links list for further reading and conservation information.
Well written, engaging, and factually accurate, this would make a superlative selection for school or classroom library, home library, or gift for a young reader who likes animals and nature science. This book would have attracted 7 year old me in an instant.
Five stars.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
December 31, 2020
What a wonderful book! Perfect for kids (and adults!) interested in creatures, gardening or the environment. Illustrations are colorful and detailed, yet easy to understand.. Just the right amount of text to explain, but not overwhelm. Approaches the topic from life cycle, garden plants, cultural issues, environmental changes, and things we can do to help the monarchs survive. Will definitely be ordering a copy of this. (Netgalley review copy)
October 5, 2020
Review to be added to Amazon UK and US on 2nd March 2021 - publication day!
I really enjoyed this book and the illustrations and images used are lovely.
The book explains the life of the Monarch butterfly through from caterpillar, pupae, chrysalis and as an adult before they make their journeys south on migration to warmer climates. We like in the UK so we don’t get Monarch Butterflies here but we have Painted Lady butterflies that are migratory.
I bought a set of caterpillars for my daughter that were Painted Ladies and she helped to raise them and when they were released she wished them well on their journey to Africa so the book was really good to read to show that there are other species that migrate.
It thought that the book was informative, fun and easy to follow – 5 stars from me!
I really enjoyed this book and the illustrations and images used are lovely.
The book explains the life of the Monarch butterfly through from caterpillar, pupae, chrysalis and as an adult before they make their journeys south on migration to warmer climates. We like in the UK so we don’t get Monarch Butterflies here but we have Painted Lady butterflies that are migratory.
I bought a set of caterpillars for my daughter that were Painted Ladies and she helped to raise them and when they were released she wished them well on their journey to Africa so the book was really good to read to show that there are other species that migrate.
It thought that the book was informative, fun and easy to follow – 5 stars from me!
October 9, 2020
This is an amazing book for children and adults, about the life cycle of Monarch butterflies and how they live. It is an educational book which shows how a Monarch starts as an egg, grows into a caterpillar, then to a butterfly and where it will go, what plants it likes to eat and much more. I really loved this book so much as I love butterflies and I learned a lot about them that I didn't already know. The illustrations in the book are outstanding and really beautiful and it is a book that I would love to read again and again. This would be a fantastic book to have in a classroom.
Many thanks to the author, publisher and netgalley for allowing me to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
Many thanks to the author, publisher and netgalley for allowing me to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
October 4, 2020
I received an electronic ARC from Storey Publishing through NetGalley.
Hobbie shares information on monarch butterflies at a level elementary level readers can follow. The entire life cycle is shown followed by ways to help monarchs survive. The illustrations add to the information and allow readers to see the habitat and life cycle clearly. Short text blocks let readers read the info for themselves and absorb the facts.
Informative text is included at the end of the book including a glossary, directions to raise monarchs, and further information to learn more.
Hobbie shares information on monarch butterflies at a level elementary level readers can follow. The entire life cycle is shown followed by ways to help monarchs survive. The illustrations add to the information and allow readers to see the habitat and life cycle clearly. Short text blocks let readers read the info for themselves and absorb the facts.
Informative text is included at the end of the book including a glossary, directions to raise monarchs, and further information to learn more.
September 24, 2020
An educational and beautiful book about life cycle of a monarch butterfly. Children will be inspired to raise caterpillars and plant butterfly gardens.
Thank you to NetGalley and Storey Publishing for the free digital copy for my review.
Thank you to NetGalley and Storey Publishing for the free digital copy for my review.
Want to read
November 13, 2020Note: I received a digital review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.
July 20, 2021
Written by Ann Hobbie and illustrated by Olga Baumert, Monarch Butterflies: Explore the Life Journey of One of the Winged Wonders of the World is a large-format children’s non-fiction title that takes readers on a fascinating, informational and gorgeously illustrated deep dive into the life and world of monarch butterflies. Opening with a look at the life cycle of the monarch butterfly, which “begins with a tiny white egg hidden on the underside of a leaf”, Monarch Butterflies takes readers on a step-by-step, highly visual, and clearly marked journey through everything monarch butterfly. Readers see up-close details regarding the anatomy of a caterpillar, chrysalis and butterfly (and the stages of metamorphosis); as well as a short study of their diet of milkweed. The book also denotes the difference between summer butterflies (which have a much shorter lifespan) and monarchs born in late summer, who “live for up to nine months�� and “migrate south for winter”. Hobbie, accompanied by Baumert’s truly incredible naturalistic illustrations, then details the migration journey of the eastern late summer butterflies to “Mexico’s transvolcanic mountain range”; types of flower nectar consumed; roosting locations; and their final journey back to the north. Readers also learn about the different target migration spots of western versus eastern butterflies, as well as the severe threats- including predators, human-borne destruction of habitat, and pesticides- facing monarch butterflies. Ending on a realistic yet encouraging note regarding the interconnectedness of species, Monarch Butterflies also provides readers with a number of extra materials. Interested readers can: learn about building monarch habitats; how to become a ‘citizen scientist’; how to support organizations that help monarch butterflies (list and links included); as well as steps on “how to rear a monarch butterfly”. Outstanding illustrations by Olga Baumert coupled with Ann Hobbie’s clear, accessible and engaging delivery makes this title a real standout. Wonderfully presented, thorough and readable, Monarch Butterflies is excellent children’s non-fiction that can be enjoyed, reread and appreciated by all ages. Notes: More back matter includes “Fun Facts”, a glossary, and more research links for further investigation.
I received a copy of this title courtesy of Thomas Allen & Son in exchange for an honest review. All opinions and comments are my own.
April 16, 2021
Monarch Butterflies: Explore the Life Journey of One of the Winged Wonders of the World , written by Ann Hobbie and illustrated by Olga Baumert, is currently scheduled for release on April 27 2021. Monarchs are a favorite and familiar North American butterfly, and their incredible annual migration has captured the popular imagination for generations. As populations of monarchs decline dramatically due to habitat loss and climate change, interest in and enthusiasm for protecting these beloved pollinators has skyrocketed. With easy-to-read text and colorful, engaging illustrations, Monarch Butterflies presents young readers with rich, detailed information about the monarchs’ life cycle, anatomy, and the wonders of their signature migration, as well as how to raise monarchs at home and the cultural significance of monarchs in Day of the Dead celebrations. As the book considers how human behavior has harmed monarchs, it offers substantive ways kids can help make a positive difference. Children will learn how to turn lawns into native plant gardens, become involved in citizen science efforts such as tagging migrating monarchs and participating in population counts, and support organizations that work to conserve butterflies.
Monarch Butterflies is a well balanced non fiction picture book. The artwork is well done, ad both captures the reader's interest and supports the information text to help keep that attention. I thought the information shared was well phrased and selected, making it easy to understand and process with out being too over simplified. I was glad to see that information about both the monarch butterfly's life cycle and the trouble they are having with loss of habitat was covered, giving a well balanced understanding of what each generation of the butterfly's experience. I think this book would be good in school, classroom, and home libraries.
Monarch Butterflies is a well balanced non fiction picture book. The artwork is well done, ad both captures the reader's interest and supports the information text to help keep that attention. I thought the information shared was well phrased and selected, making it easy to understand and process with out being too over simplified. I was glad to see that information about both the monarch butterfly's life cycle and the trouble they are having with loss of habitat was covered, giving a well balanced understanding of what each generation of the butterfly's experience. I think this book would be good in school, classroom, and home libraries.
March 2, 2021
By now, I think most of us in North America are champions of the beautiful monarch butterfly whose numbers are dwindling. After reading Ann Hobbie’s Monarch Butterflies, a children’s book for ages 7-10, I am even more fervent about making my little land a monarch haven.
Monarch Butterflies is filled with some astonishing facts that will amaze children as they amazed me such as the monarch caterpillar grows to 2000 times its original size or that while the caterpillar has very poor eyesight, the butterfly it will become will have outstanding eyesight. Just imagine!
Hobbie takes her reader from the butterfly’s laying of eggs, through its life as a caterpillar, to it metamorphosis. We all know this happens but to read about the details and understand the process is so much another thing. It’s amazing, really. The reader also learns about the monarch’s favorite food, milkweed; its incredibly long journey from the Eastern US to Mexico (some monarchs will travel as far as 3000 miles!); and that in Mexico, monarchs are part of Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead) because some believe they are the spirits of the dead returning.
Monarch Butterflies also talks about the monarch habitat, discusses the challenges to monarch survival, how the loss of land and the use of pesticides are decimating the population, and how each one of us can do our part to help the monarchs survive.
The illustrations by Olga Baumert are bright, detailed and so lovely. They are an absolute joy to page through.
Monarch Butterflies would be a wonderful treasure for any child, but I have to say that I enjoyed it and learned so very much from it as well.
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Monarch Butterflies is filled with some astonishing facts that will amaze children as they amazed me such as the monarch caterpillar grows to 2000 times its original size or that while the caterpillar has very poor eyesight, the butterfly it will become will have outstanding eyesight. Just imagine!
Hobbie takes her reader from the butterfly’s laying of eggs, through its life as a caterpillar, to it metamorphosis. We all know this happens but to read about the details and understand the process is so much another thing. It’s amazing, really. The reader also learns about the monarch’s favorite food, milkweed; its incredibly long journey from the Eastern US to Mexico (some monarchs will travel as far as 3000 miles!); and that in Mexico, monarchs are part of Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead) because some believe they are the spirits of the dead returning.
Monarch Butterflies also talks about the monarch habitat, discusses the challenges to monarch survival, how the loss of land and the use of pesticides are decimating the population, and how each one of us can do our part to help the monarchs survive.
The illustrations by Olga Baumert are bright, detailed and so lovely. They are an absolute joy to page through.
Monarch Butterflies would be a wonderful treasure for any child, but I have to say that I enjoyed it and learned so very much from it as well.
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
March 12, 2021
An incredible, in-depth, and beautiful large-scale exploration of monarch butterflies. There are a number of Monarch-specific picture books for children but I have to say that this one takes the cake! The illustrations are stunning on every page, and well represent the subject matter and beauty of nature. Again, since this is a large-scale book, the impact is awe-inspiring. The illustrations of Mexico are particularly wonderful as well.
The text is categorized in to themes with a nice Table of Contents, Glossary, and Index (in my opinion these are essential in children's nonfiction books and are often missing). Each featured page contains a summary paragraph and then further detailed text throughout to engage your interest further. This would be great for a science lesson as the attention to detail is superb.
The end of the book contains suggestions to help Monarchs and tips on how to rear Monarchs.
It's a great read and one to revisit.
**Note: I was given a review copy of this book by Storey Publishing. Opinions are my own.
The text is categorized in to themes with a nice Table of Contents, Glossary, and Index (in my opinion these are essential in children's nonfiction books and are often missing). Each featured page contains a summary paragraph and then further detailed text throughout to engage your interest further. This would be great for a science lesson as the attention to detail is superb.
The end of the book contains suggestions to help Monarchs and tips on how to rear Monarchs.
It's a great read and one to revisit.
**Note: I was given a review copy of this book by Storey Publishing. Opinions are my own.
April 22, 2021
My first impression of Monarch Butterflies by author Ann Hobbie and Illustrator Olga Baumert is the wonderfully textured and earthy feel of the book’s cover! Inside the book is everything you ever wanted to know about the Monarch Butterfly. Hobby informs the reader of the anatomy of the monarch at each stage of the life cycle in detail. The rich illustrations bring the details to life. She describes the fascinating journey that the monarch takes from the North all the way to Central Mexico and back again. At the end of the book, Hobbie gives ideas for helping the monarchs survive from the simple act of planting milkweed to becoming a volunteer to actually catch and tag them! Want to tag monarchs and help scientists? The book offers 4 organizations you can contact to become a volunteer! There’s even directions for how to rear your own monarchs at home. I highly recommend Monarch Butterflies!
March 29, 2021
Monarch Butterflies was a multi-dimensional book that would be welcome in any elementary or home school classroom. It is also an excellent selection for parents to have in their home library to support their child's learning in school. From the beautiful art to all of the details on the development of the monarch butterfly, this book captures your attention while teaching you so much! It can be used to support science class as well as connecting students to the environment through perhaps a gardening program to reinforce what they have learned scientifically about the monarch butterfly. It doesn't just teach children about anatomy, it teaches them about how we do and can interact with monarch butterflies through culture and through nature. I received an arc of this book courtesy of NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
April 21, 2021
Monarch Butterflies: Explore the Life Journey of One of the Winged Wonders of the World, By Ann Hobbie is an extraordinary combination of informative and engaging for both young readers who are interested in science and adult readers who are sharing the wonders of conservation and ecosystem consideration with students. Using the monarch as a focus, students are introduced to all that a species needs to survive and thrive. This book inspires students to care for their environment and gives students a window into a life that is very different than their own, with images that outline the entire life cycle of monarchs and envelope minds in a method of travel that brings this species on journeys afar and back again. This book deserves a thumbs up and will be returned to again and again.
August 9, 2021
Monarch Butterflies was a joy and delight to read. I enjoyed learning about the life cycle as well as the anatomy of a caterpillar to butterfly. The myriad of nuances of a Monarch, for example, that they use their feet to smell was fascinating to learn. The book gave me a new found inspiration for milkweed, the main staple of many pollinators as well as all the ways I could support monarchs. This is an easy yet profoundly impactful read, one that stays with you long after the last page has been turned. It is a valuable book because it reminds and teaches us to be better citizens of our planet. Thank you, Annie Hobbie for bringing this amazing story to life and to Olga Baumbert for the beautiful illustrations. This book and Monarch education should be in every school curriculum!
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