Monarchs are a favorite and familiar North American butterfly, and their incredible annual migration has captured the popular imagination for generations. As populations of monarchs decline dramatically due to habitat loss and climate change, interest in and enthusiasm for protecting these beloved pollinators has skyrocketed. With easy-to-read text and colorful, engaging illustrations,  Monarch Butterflies presents young readers with rich, detailed information about the monarchs’ life cycle, anatomy, and the wonders of their signature migration, as well as how to raise monarchs at home and the cultural significance of monarchs in Day of the Dead celebrations. As the book considers how human behavior has harmed monarchs, it offers substantive ways kids can help make a positive difference. Children will learn how to turn lawns into native plant gardens, become involved in citizen science efforts such as tagging migrating monarchs and participating in population counts, and support organizations that work to conserve butterflies.

Gr 1–5—Nonfiction units are an important part of the elementary school curriculum, and butterflies are certainly in the top five perennial subjects. Hobbie's title ticks off all the boxes. The text is beautifully illustrated and packed with fascinating facts. A wide variety of topics is detailed. For example, caterpillars have terrible eyesight, but butterflies have excellent vision. Readers will be amazed to learn, "The caterpillar will grow to 2,000 times its original size!" Close-up diagrams of the caterpillar, chrysalis, and butterfly introduce new words such as spiracles, hemolymph, and frass (caterpillar poop). Migration, lifespan, food, and predators are also explained. A final section discusses how children can help monarchs and grow their own, cautioning against ordering kits online. Colorful pictures of insects, wildlife, milkweed varieties, and other alluring blooms illuminate the text. A table of contents, an index, a glossary, labeled diagrams, maps, sidebars, and further resources are included. VERDICT This informative and striking butterfly book is a worthy addition to all collections.—Barbara Auerbach, Cairo P.L., NY

The Monarchs Need You!

Monarch butterflies migrate thousands of miles every year, and chances are they fly past you! Learn all about these beautiful insects and how you can help them on their journey.

- Plant milkweed and other native flowers
- Tag monarchs for scientific research
- Watch your own monarch caterpillar transform into a chrysalis and emerge as a butterfly!