Favorites

                          Ehlert, L. (2001). Waiting for wings. Orlando, FL: Harcourt, Inc.

                         Children’s Picture Book: Nonfiction. This simple and beautifully illustrated book relates the life cycle of the butterfly. The first pages are smaller than the full size page, telling of the eggs, their hatching, and caterpillars forming. Ehlert’s text is almost poetic, a few short lines per page as each stage unfolds. As one turns pages, the illustrations match up to the end pages in a smooth connection of leaves to stems or stems to flowers. Bringing the page to full size once the butterflies hatch, the reader follows various types fly over gardens of different flowers, feeding and preparing for the laying of eggs. So the cycle begins anew. At the end of the book are notes on butterfly and flower identification and how to grow one’s own butterfly garden. View as an excellent read-aloud for children ages 4-5 and an independent book of study for children ages 5-7. This is one of my favorite books for introducing the young child to the life cycle of a butterfly and to the idea of cycles in general. Ehlert’s careful attention to detail in replicating the colors and form of the butterflies and flowers provide authenticity, while the text makes it accessible to the early learner.

Flor Ada, A. (1991). The gold coin. New York, NY: Atheneum

           Children’s Picture Book: Folktale. Taking place in the Mexican countryside, a thief named Juan hears of an elderly woman who has gold. He follows Dona Josepha throughout the country as she seeks to help and heal others less fortunate, always hoping he can catch up with her and the gold. Along his travels he finds himself forced to help others in order to keep up his pursuit. By the time both Juan and Dona Josepha return to her home, he has been transformed into a changed man. Flor Ada’s message here of the power to change for the better is so clear even the youngest child will be able to glean it. Neil Waldman’s soft watercolor illustrations follow the narrative and give justice to the beautiful country of Mexico. View as a read-aloud for ages 4-7 and an independent read for ages 8 and up. This is one of my favorites, as I always think of this book when I recall how powerful the kindness of one person can be in changing the hearts or behavior of others.