The Story of the Butterfly Children

by Sibylle von Olfers

Classic nature tale in art nouveau style. Perfect for fans of Cicely Mary Barker�s Flower Fairies Far far away, the butterfly folk live in a kingdom of beautiful gardens. The butterfly children play, dance and sing all day long with their little brothers and sisters, the caterpillars. The children can't wait until the first day of spring, when they will finally get their wings. But first, they must learn about the many brightly colored flowers in the kingdom, so they can take part in the flying procession of peacock, swallowtail, red admiral and many other butterflies. Beautifully illustrated in the art nouveau style, this is another classic children's story from the author of The Story of the Root Children and The Story of the Wind Children . When the hunter's children fall out of their cradle in the woods, a kind mother rabbit takes them home and cares for them. She makes them rabbit suits to keep them warm and they play happily with her rabbit children.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Classics, Nature, Animals

20 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1906

About the author

Sibylle von Olfers (8 May 1881 – 29 January 1916) was a German art teacher and a nun who worked as an author and illustrator of children's books. In 1906 she published her best-known work, The Root Children (original title: Etwas von den Wurzelkindern, "Something about the children from the roots").

Reviews

[Hilary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another beautiful story about nature and fairy folk. This story visits the Butterfly Children, small fairy like children and babies with butterfly or moth wings and their female adult carers, also complete with their own particular species wings. Although nothing much happens in the plot we get to visit this gentle and peaceful world and look in on their daily activities. As expected with von Olfers artwork, each page is beautifully framed with some art nouveau style tree trunk border and the species all correct in colour and pattern. Beautiful natural colours and lots of fun butterfly themed ideas, such as the babies having chrysalid bodies and drinking from baby bottles full of green leaf juice.

There is an end page about the author accompanied by a wonderful picture of Sibylle wearing a heavily smocked dress. Born in a castle in Prussia, she trained at art college and at the age of 25 joined an order of nuns after her beauty attracted many admirers but it says she remained aloof from the "useless world of aristocrats" I would love to know more about this talented author/illustrator.

This is wonderful escapism and really captivates the imagination of children. A beautiful world to escape to!

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

Originally published in German as Im Schmetterlingsreich ("In the Butterfly Kingdom"), this picture-book follows the story of the chrysalids, or butterfly children, who anxiously await the coming of spring, and the opportunity to gain their wings, and become fully-grown butterflies. Overseen by the butterfly maidens, who teach them the lore of plants and flowers, taught grace in Madame Dragonfly's dancing school, the chrysalids are gently prepared for the day when the first golden-robed sunbeams of spring arrive to usher them into a new stage of their life...

Like so many of its creator's other picture-books, The Story of the Butterfly Children reflects Sibylle von Olfers' vision of nature as a gentle, nurturing force. Here is no wildness, danger or pain, but rather a pleasant and serene order in which all unfolds as it should. From the wind sprites in The Story of the Wind Children , to the root children who help Mother Earth remake the world each spring in The Story of the Root Children , the flora, fauna and phenomena of the natural world are anthropomorphized in von Olfers' work, presented as pretty cherub-like creatures under the care of maternal figures. Such is certainly the case here, as the brown-clad chrysalids - essentially toddlers, with chryslid garments - are transformed into brown-clad butterflies - slightly older children with wings. Similarly, the butterfly maidens are depicted as lovely young women with butterfly wings, and the sunbeams as youths in golden robes. Although an admirer of von Olfers' Art Nouveau illustrations, and of some of her other stories - particularly her poetic Etwas von den Wurzelkindern ("Something About/The Story of the Root Children") - I cannot say this one struck a chord with me. Although the artwork was lovely, the story felt rather cloying. It was just a little too sweet for me, and didn't really go anywhere... Still, mileage may vary, and other readers, particularly younger children who love butterflies, or tales of gossamer-winged fairies, may enjoy it more. Certainly, the artwork alone makes the reading experience worthwhile, even if the story doesn't impress.

[Robin Rivers · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Story of the Butterfly Children is by far our most loved Springtime story with lovely illustrations, wonderful whimsy and a touch of magic. Sibylle von Olfers inspires kids to go outside and imagine worlds beneath the toadstools and in the hedgerow.

[Mother Goose Librarian · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Story of the Butterfly Children is over one hundred years old but, nevertheless has stood the test of time. von Olfer’s gorgeous artwork brings this delightful, nature fantasy to life. The butterfly children are anxiously awaiting the first day of spring in the garden so they can fly among the other butterflies. While waiting, the butterfly children and caterpillar babies need to learn about all the beautiful flowers in the garden, so they can help them grow. There are so many things to love about this story but I am still smiling, thinking about the baby caterpillars drinking their green, leaf juice from bottles. If you are lucky enough to come across The Story of the Butterfly Children or any of von Olfer’s other picture books, while browsing a used bookshop or sale, be sure to snap it up for your collection! This is a perfect read aloud during a springtime story time or while learning about the butterfly life cycle. I highly recommend The Story of the Butterfly Children, as well as Sibylle von Colfer’s other lovely picture book classics.

[Diana C. Kobylak · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great illustration of the stages of the lives of butterflies.

[Alice · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story is nice, but I wonder what I would be like in the Original German (I speak a little German) I wonder if the translation is close. Anyways, the story is simple and lovely and I think that is what Sibylle Von Olfers was trying to convey!

[Marmot · Rating 5 out of 5]

A perfect spring equinox gift for my 3 year old, he really loves these books by Sibylle Von Olfers. My favourite is still the Root Children, but this one is pretty good too. I wonder if the sidebar text was originally poems, and something got lost in translation?

[Theediscerning · Rating 4 out of 5]

A generous four stars, for this old-fashioned read may well not find too much favour with the current taste. It's over a hundred years old, after all. Here, butterflies are critters with human bodies, more or less, and so once we see them as chrysalids in their nursery, and learning to be light and delicate and to balance on a blade of grass, they graduate as adults when they gain their adult wings in a big celebration coinciding with the first day of spring. That's about it for narrative, and while it's pretty enough it can also look a little dry, with the text stuck on one page bar a caption alongside the artwork on the right-hand page, and it can also look a little creepy and odd. Still, if your child has a penchant for near-Victorian hybrid semi-human monstrosities being all charming and girly and delightful, then this is the volume for them.

[Beverly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story is like a natural history of the butterfly, if butterflies and other insects were half insect and half human. Caterpillars are the babies and chrysalids are the children. Sunbeams give them their wings and then they are off and flying. Cute story with marvelous artwork that reminds me of Kate Greenaway's artwork.

[T · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh such a splendid story!! Love the art and Sibylle’s masterful weaving with fairies and care for Earth Mother is magic in and of itself. Beautiful!!! Old, but aged like a fine wine. A perfect book for young + the young-at-heart.

[Alice · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute. I do love art nouveau illustrations

[Rebecca Hill · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a super cute little read! I loved reading through this, and the illustrations were gorgeous!

[Diane Chaniewski · Rating 2 out of 5]

Reading through all of von Olfers' books. Sweet rhymes and illustrations that remind me of my aunt's.

[Michele · Rating 5 out of 5]

I understand now why Ms. von Olfers' work has stood the test of time! The breathtaking illustrations and simple, beautiful prose are a balm to the soul, truly.

[Lea Silver · Rating 4 out of 5]

5 stars for the art/illustrations 3 stars for the story

[madeline ✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧]

an email has never "found her well."

[Celina Chase · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stunning illustrations that invite children into the imaginative world of nature, with beautiful personifications of butterflies and moths.