Monarch and Mourning Cloak: A Butterfly Journal

Gr 3-5–Stewart and Brannen invite readers into the delicate world of butterflies with their new book. Gentle poems and richly detailed artwork reveal each species’ distinct habitats, diets and survival strategies all safely cocooned in gorgeous landscape illustrations. Though marketed to ages 4-8, this book’s layered content and sophisticated structure make it best suited for older elementary readers and nature-loving children. The poetic text appears simple on the surface though uses complex literary devices which would require more developed interpretive skills to understand and appreciate. “Mourning cloaks eat in a crowd,/ all clustered and cramped,/ a frenzied willow feast./ Mourning cloaks face danger in groups,/ all clustered and cramped,/ as their bodies shake in sync.” Readers of all ages will love browsing the book and admiring the illustrations, but older children will especially value its literacy craft and wealth of information. Rather than a traditional nonfiction resource for reports this volume reads more like a lyrical nature journal which will be enjoyed by budding entomologists and artists alike. The end notes offer a treasure trove of information on butterfly lifecycles, sketching tips, and observations practices, making it a strong choice for classroom nature studies as well as independent exploration.