Velma Gratch & the Way Cool Butterfly - Alan Madison
Way cool tale of metamorphosis and individualism.
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Book details
- Author:Alan Madison
- # of pages: 40
- Publisher:Schwartz & Wade
- Original Publication Date: 10/09/2007
- Genre: Fiction - Picture Book
- Hardcover: $16.99
- Publisher's Recommended Reading Level: 4-8
- Read Aloud: 4
- Read Alone: 7
Parents need to know
Parents need to know that this refreshing, uplifting book both gives a quick introduction to butterflies and encourages kids to find themselves.
Families can talk about metamorphosis, and butterflies. They should notice the variety of caterpillars inside the front cover (including Velma, the Orange-tipped Gratch), and compare them with the butterflies inside the back cover (including Small Gratchis). How is the butterfly's metamorphosis the perfect metaphor for Velma's growth? Families might also talk about what makes us each feel special. How did Velma feel at the beginning of the book, and what made her feel more confident toward the end?
Families can talk about metamorphosis, and butterflies. They should notice the variety of caterpillars inside the front cover (including Velma, the Orange-tipped Gratch), and compare them with the butterflies inside the back cover (including Small Gratchis). How is the butterfly's metamorphosis the perfect metaphor for Velma's growth? Families might also talk about what makes us each feel special. How did Velma feel at the beginning of the book, and what made her feel more confident toward the end?
Message
Social Behavior:
A young girl's study and love of butterflies helps her find her own identity.
Consumerism:
Drugs/Alcohol/Tobacco:
Violence
Sex
Language
Common Sense says
What's the story?
Reviewed by Patricia Tauzer
Spunky Velma, the third and youngest of the Gratch girls, struggles to establish her own identity as she enters first grade, that is until she discovers butterflies. Her interest leads to an adventure that changes her forever, and makes people around her sit up and take notice.
Is it any good?
A study of butterflies, a trip to the Butterfly Conservatory, and one specific Monarch opens a spunky little girl's eyes to the magic of life, and she changes forever. And, the reader will too.
While the metamorphosis of a butterfly may be an easy, obvious metaphor for growth and development, its use in this book is made fresh and exciting by the personality of Velma Gratch. From her "carroty curls" pulled up in springy ponytails to her "knobby knees" and "spaghetti arms" to her determination to learn important big words like "metamorphosis," "conservatory," and "migration," Velma is an individual, though she doesn't know it yet. In her, both author and illustrator combine their talents to create the kind of independent, confident spirit that we hope all kids will discover in themselves.
From cover to cover, this book is the complete package. Told so poignantly both in the words of Alan Madison and pictures of Kevin Hawkes, VELMA GRATCH AND THE WAY COOL BUTTERFLY will touch the heart and mind of anyone who reads it. Delicate, creative details, such as the butterfly-shaped formatting of the copyright information, will guarantee that it stays there among other books that are just part of the family.
Other choices
More Books Illustrated by Kevin Hawkes:
Library Lion by Michelle Knudsen
Sidewalk Circus by Paul Fleischman
Related Web Sites:
Author's site
Illustrator's site
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