Monarch Butterfly

by Gail Gibbons Narrated by Bonnie Kelley-Young

Overview

"Bonnie Kelley-Young's narrative voice is well suited to the subject matter and its audience....The sound effects enhance the story and add to the sense of wonder."-AudioFile

Editorial Reviews

School Library Journal

Gr 2-4-- Young naturalists will be captivated by this succinctly written, well-organized, brightly illustrated introduction to monarch butterflies. Focusing on a single monarch, the text describes each stage of its metamorphosis, basic physical and behavioral characteristics, diet, and migratory instincts. It then discusses the migration patterns of the species in general, mentions the celebrations held in their honor along the migration route, and ends with simple instructions for raising a butterfly in a jar. (The text instructs readers to pound holes in a jar lid with a hammer and a nail--no safety warning or suggestion to obtain adult help is given.) The last page consists of additional miscellaneous facts. Clear, stylized color drawings accompany the short blocks of text on every page; each is doubly framed by white and yellow backgrounds. There are a number of titles available on the life cycles of butterflies; however, most are on a slightly higher reading level and describe different species. Gibbons' book will be a useful addition to the natural history sections of most school and public libraries. --Karey Wehner, San Francisco Public Library

School Library Journal - Audio

K-Gr 3—Gail Gibbons's wonderful book (Holiday House, 1989) on the life cycle of the monarch butterfly is still one of the best basic resources on the topic for use with primary students. Her bold, bright illustrations vividly highlight each important text point, with labeling when necessary. The text is equally crisp and informative, providing young readers with good information about monarchs, and then instructions for raising a monarch butterfly themselves. Bonnie Kelley-Young is the perfect narrator. Her voice is as clear and well-defined as the text and illustrations. The addition of occasional background music and sound effects adds just the right touch. Page-turn signals are optional. This would make a great listening center for classrooms doing butterfly units.—Teresa Bateman, Brigadoon Elementary, Federal Way, WA

AUGUST 2011 - AudioFile

Gibbons’s book celebrates the life, habitat, and migration of the Monarch butterfly, and provides tips for raising one. Bonnie Kelley-Young’s narrative voice is well suited to the subject matter and its audience. Her gentle reading captures the wonder a young listener will have upon discovering the beauty of the Monarch. The sound effects enhance the story and add to the sense of wonder. Young does a fine job of distinguishing the text from the labels that are part of the illustrations and from the pronunciation guides for sounding out the scientific words. The page-turn signals allow time to explore the illustrations and read the labels. J.K.R. © AudioFile 2011, Portland, Maine

Product Details

BN ID:	2940172253843
Publisher:	Live Oak Media
Publication date:	01/31/2011
Edition description:	Unabridged
Age Range:	5 - 8 Years

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