Butterflies

Eggs, Legs, Wings: A Butterfly Life Cycle      By Shannon Knudsen      Capstone Press   2011

Once again, I am pleasantly surprised by Capstone. They are getting better.  I used to dismiss Capstone product on a wholesale basis as not worth investigating in comparison to other available materials. Now, mind you, I still feel that they offer no shortage of uninspired, pro-forma, paint by numbers product.

However, I now keep an eye peeled for standout books from this publisher.

Books that detail the butterfly lifecycle are always in demand. The concept is addressed in the standards, and you can always count on classrooms raising caterpillars into butterflies.

This book uses an engaging graphic novel format that has elements of infographics. It is engagingly drawn, and the panels and text capture the inherent drama of the process. The text and the pictures are very well integrated, and though the format is extremely accessible, a very good amount of information is presented.

The presentation is almost cinematic, and it is constantly engaging.

Strange to say, maybe it is the expression lines or the wiggle lines, but the way the caterpillar is drawn, one can emphathize with it as it faces the challenges when growing. Kudos to the artist in this regard.

The book is perfect for 2^nd graders