A tiny caterpillar begins its journey towards becoming a magnificent butterfly.
The Butterfly and the Ants tells the wonderful true story of a butterfly’s lifecycle. ‘Blue’ might seem an odd name for a small caterpillar, but follow him as he meets some welcoming ants, produces honey and undergoes an amazing transformation. You’ll also discover how he gets his name!
The Butterfly and the Ants is an engaging story by Kate McCabe that is beautifully illustrated by Nicole Berlach. It offers an insight into the fascinating relationship between plants, butterflies and ants.
Just like every other living thing, the narrator names a small and hungry caterpillar Blue. The name seems like a peculiar choice, considering Blue changes colour depending on what he eats. But there’s a purpose behind it, and all is revealed when you near the end of the book.
McCabe has degrees in both zoology and teaching, now working in conservation education. And Berlach is trained in scientific illustration, which informs the art she creates. Together, they’ve created a moving and sweet story that also teaches and informs.
The Butterfly and the Ants takes young readers on a journey following a caterpillar as he lives out one of nature’s everyday miracles: metamorphosis. This story shows metamorphosis literally through Blue’s transition from caterpillar to butterfly and also figuratively through Blue’s journey of survival and growth. On the surface, this picture book teaches children about a butterfly’s lifecycle, but it also unveils a deeper message about embracing change as you grow, learn and evolve.
The Butterfly and the Ants begins with the one question children like to ask most: why? This book taps into curious kids’ thirst for knowledge while speaking to them at their level. Recommended for children aged 6+, there’s phonetic spelling for tricky words like ‘symbiosis’ alongside colloquial terms such as ‘yucko’. There are also exercises in the book that prompt children to count what’s on the page, helping to cement the new facts they learn in a fun and interactive way.
Based on a true story, the end of the book includes more information about Blue and the butterflies he’s related to, as well as a glossary of terms. Educational and enjoyable, The Butterfly and the Ants is ideal for newly independent readers, and I can see this being a hit in classrooms and libraries. Teachers and librarians, keep an eye out for some teaching notes on our website soon.
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