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By Shannon Knudsen
Illustrated by Simon Smith
Capstone Press, First Graphics, 2011
ISBN #9781429653671
Nonfiction, graphic format
Grades 1-3
“Butterflies look like flower petals floating in the breeze.”
Eggs, Legs, Wings is a special book. I’ve always had trouble focusing on graphic novels. I’m a fast reader, and I’ve found this format hard to read. This book is one that I not only could read easily, but was one that I really enjoyed.
Using a graphic format, Eggs, Legs, Wings explains the life cycle of a butterfly, but it’s much more than that. The book traces the life cycle, but each chapter also includes information that extends each stage of the cycle. Insect characteristics and up-close graphics show clearly what the text is stating. Detailed drawings show the caterpillar emerging from the egg and follows it as it eats and grows. Predators and food sources add to the information about the life cycle.
The book continues with molts, chrysalis spinning, and the emerging butterfly. It continues with the adult butterfly’s wing drying, facing predators, and an explanation of warning coloration before the butterfly moves off to find food and then mate. The life cycle comes full circle with the graphic illustration of the four basic steps.
The art is excellent and detailed, accurately showing the butterfly in its development. This is a lovely book for young readers and one I’d loved to have had when I taught second grade. This is a terrific book and one that should appeal to a variety of readers.
Activity
Look up an insect that undergoes incomplete metamorphosis. Draw its life cycle and compare it to the life cycle of the monarch butterly.
Learn about incomplete and complete metamorphosis here.
Use their list to choose an insect that undergoes incomplete metamorphosis.
KidZone has great pictures and more monarch butterfly information.
Color a realistic butterfly or a chrysalis here.
National Science Standard: growth and development of organisms
Book provided by Capstone Press
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