"Zebra Longwing
Heliconius Cydno
In its caterpillar stage, the Zebra Longwing
has black spots and sharp-looking spines. It's
only when it becomes a butterfly that it has
a black-and-white zebra pattern."
In his newest book, Geraldo Valerio shares his love for the butterflies that can be found throughout the world. Front and back endpapers share labelled illustrations of both the larva and pupa stages in a butterfly's life cycle. Before he introduces each of the butterflies he so loves, he offers an introduction, a clear explanation of metamorphosis, a labelled illustration of the parts of a butterfly, and a world map (with a legend) showing where they live.
What follows are beautifully designed pages that give young readers a close look at the beauty that is a butterfly, accompanied by accurate descriptions of their habitats, food, wing patterns, and other fitting details. It is a perfect book for taking time to look closely at all that is offered here. Each of the butterflies he chooses to describe are his personal favorites, as is evident in the title.
As a child growing up in Brazil, with a vegetable garden in his back yard, he gazed with wonder as the butterflies left tiny eggs to develop into caterpillars, before sleeping inside their chrysalides, and finally bursting forth as full-fledged adults (a moment he never experienced).
With each page turn, readers will respond to his conversational tone and sense of awe. He wants his readers to know the beauty they exhibit, and the habitats that attract them. Visually, the book is a real treat. His fascination is evident in the care given to each impressive image created in paper collage, acrylic paint and colored pencils.
Back matter includes s glossary, an index, and a list of books and websites. Read this book now and be ready to welcome these beautiful creatures back come next spring and summer.
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