The Digger and the Butterfly

by Joseph Kuefler, Joseph Kuefler (Illustrator)

Overview

From Joseph Kuefler, the acclaimed author-illustrator of The Digger and the Flower, comes a new book in his popular Digger picture book series, about a crew of building trucks who befriend a caterpillar and witness its metamorphosis into a beautiful butterfly. Perfect for readers who love the machines in Sherri Duskey Rinker’s Construction Site series.

Digger and the other big trucks work all day, smashing and building and transforming their jobsite.

But when a caterpillar weaves its cocoon onto Digger’s bucket, he is forced to stop and be still.

In the stillness, Digger begins to notice the world beyond his worksite. And when the butterfly finally emerges, it’s clear that Digger and his friends have also been changed forever.

The story includes an accessible guide to metamorphosis for young readers.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780063237940
Publisher:	HarperCollins
Publication date:	05/23/2023
Series:	Digger Series
Pages:	48
Sales rank:	191,744
Product dimensions:	10.00(w) x 10.20(h) x 0.60(d)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Joseph Kuefler is the author-illustrator of the Digger series, Beyond the Pond, Rulers of the Playground, Pillow Places, and Bigger Than a Bumblebee and the illustrator of Night Is for Darkness by Jonathan Stutzman. He lives in Minnesota with his wife and children. You can visit him online at josephkuefler.com.

Joseph Kuefler is the author-illustrator of the Digger series, Beyond the Pond, Rulers of the Playground, Pillow Places, and Bigger Than a Bumblebee and the illustrator of Night Is for Darkness by Jonathan Stutzman. He lives in Minnesota with his wife and children. You can visit him online at josephkuefler.com.

Editorial Reviews

The latest in Kuefler’s Digger series deftly melds mechanized wonder with a tender appreciation of the natural world. This gentle look at taking time to pay attention to nature relays its message without overt proselytizing, and as always, Kuefler’s bold, blocky illustrations bring the tale to life beautifully, imbuing his vehicular cast with verve and personality.” — Kirkus Reviews

From the Publisher

2023-03-29
The latest in Kuefler’s Digger series deftly melds mechanized wonder with a tender appreciation of the natural world.

In an open clearing in the woods, Digger and his construction crew are hard at work when he accidentally uncovers a caterpillar. Though everyone is entranced by it, the work waits for no one. However, the caterpillar has other plans. It immediately climbs up Digger and forms a chrysalis. Digger is now stuck in place, but in waiting for the caterpillar to emerge, he is able to appreciate the river, trees, sun, and wind in ways he couldn’t before. And when the butterfly emerges at last, it leads Digger and his friends to a place filled with other butterflies where they can relax together without feeling the need to work. Helpful backmatter spells out each stage of a caterpillar’s life. The construction-equipment characters may seem at odds with the woodsy setting (given the implication of the destruction of the natural world), but the story expertly avoids the conflict by having the crew work on a project in an already empty clearing. While not overtly a book of mindfulness, this gentle look at taking time to pay attention to nature relays its message without overt proselytizing, and as always, Kuefler’s bold, blocky illustrations bring the tale to life beautifully, imbuing his vehicular cast with verve and personality. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

Automation and natural environments come to a sweet accord in this gentle paean to taking time out. (Picture book. 3-6)

Kirkus Reviews