Review by Booklist Review
Two caterpillar chums spend an idyllic day together, showing off "cool moves" and munching leaves into funny shapes. But there is change on the horizon: a nearby butterfly cheerfully wishes them a happy metamorphosis, and the bug buddies turn into cozy cocoons. When they emerge with a great "POP!", one is a brightly colored butterfly and the other is a more subtly hued moth. They realize that there are now a few differences between them, both physically and behaviorally: they're active at different times, their antennae take different forms, and they have decidedly different flight patterns. Not to worry--they still enjoy each other's company and showing off those cool moves! The seemingly simple story cleverly gets some key characteristics (and the concept of metamorphosis) across while reassuring young readers that burgeoning differences don't have to doom a relationship. The splashy illustrations are animated and amusing, capturing caterpillar expressions and moth movements in colorful detail. It's a sweet and snazzy celebration of the natural world and the bonds of friendship.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by School Library Journal Review
PreS-K--As leaf-eating creepy-crawlies, these two best friends naturally love all the same things. Both have many legs, spots, and love to chew leaves into funny shapes. Ornately and uniquely decorated, the pair undergo their metamorphosis inside cheerfully decorated pupas. Weeks later, Moth and Butterfly emerge with fewer legs, antennae, and wings. They fall right into the groove of their former friendship but notice some cumbersome differences. Moth likes to stay out all night. Butterfly is graceful in flight, but Moth cannot stop bumping into things. Will their friendship endure? Whimsical, silly illustrations use bold colors to make this garden paradise really pop. The fast-paced story uses minimal text and a light-hearted narrative to capture the attention of preschoolers. There is not a wealth of content here, but lessons about the natural world and friendship in the face of differences flourish. VERDICT This basic, colorful introduction to metamorphosis and friendship for the youngest of preschoolers is a recommended purchase.--Richelle Rose, Kenton County P.L., KY
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
"In a corner of the lush, green garden, two caterpillars share a leaf." Young children who look closely at the insects' smiling faces and fancifully decorated bodies will notice some differences: the patterns on their backs are different colors and shapes; and where one has feathery antennae, the other's are stick-like. As will soon be revealed, one is a moth and one is a butterfly, but in the early stages of their lives they have many characteristics in common. Petty's friendly text provides a light introduction to comparative observation, noting selected similarities and differences in the animals' appearances and behaviors. After a brief period spent in the pupal stage (not named as such, although the text does use the word metamorphosis), the adult butterfly and moth make spectacular entrances across two double-page spreads -- "Then...POP! There is Butterfly! / Then...POP AGAIN!!! There is Moth!" -- and the comparisons continue. In Aranda's cartoonlike illustrations, the anthropomorphized insects appear as cheerful buddies palling around in an idyllic backyard setting. Danielle J. Ford September/October 2021 p.122(c) Copyright 2021. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
Change is in the air! Two caterpillars romp happily through a garden, but something is about to happen! Minimal, energetic text and brightly colored illustrations full of kid appeal tell the tale of the two friends and capture the excitement of change in this exuberant introduction to the concept of metamorphosis and the differences between a moth and a butterfly. The story artfully incorporates the idea of change and the appreciation of differences and similarities between two friends with the concrete differences between the two insects that develop over the course of their life cycles; initial commonalities are described (legs, spots, eating habits) before the friends disappear into pupae to undergo metamorphosis, and then "POP!" Each appears in a new winged form (a moth and a butterfly), and differences are succinctly enumerated (color, movement, camouflage, sleep cycles). Warmth abounds, and life continues as the two friends see young caterpillars and greet them with a cheery "Happy Metamorphosis!" The simple text includes speech bubbles that add to the excitement and fun, and the author's choice to focus on one big word and concept (metamorphosis) rather than a hefty vocabulary or the full life cycle (eggs are unmentioned) makes this a great choice for the very young. A deceptively simple mix of engaging story, appreciation of differences, and introduction to moths and butterflies. (Picture book. 3-6) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
