Fabulous Fluttering Tropical Butterflies [Hardcover]

Dorothy Hinshaw Patent (Author), Kendahl Jan Jubb (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 6 and up | Grade Level: 1 and up

Deep within the tropical forests of the world live the most glittering, outrageously gorgeous butterflies on the planet. Every color of the rainbow decorates their graceful wings. From the rare Queen Alexandra-the largest butterfly in the world-to the postman-one of the most poisonous-to the owl butterfly-one of the insect world's masters of disguise, Dorothy Hinshaw Patent introduces readers to these unique and fascinating species. Kendahl Jan Jubb's intensely vibrant watercolor illustrations showcase these glorious creatures as they flit and flutter throughout the rain forests of the world.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 2-4-With a matter-of-fact text and splashy illustrations, this introduction to tropical butterflies is a mixed bag. Patent first describes the life cycle of a butterfly and then discusses individual tropical species, telling how each one has adapted to survive in its rain-forest environment. She ends with a section on butterfly houses and farms. The text is informative but sketchy, giving an overview of the topic but not much detail. Jubb's watercolor illustrations are so bright and intense that they are overwhelming when viewed close up, and none of the species is labeled. They might be better for sharing with a group, as they can best be appreciated at some distance. The thick lines and large swathes of color seem almost at odds with the delicacy of the subject matter. Measurements are given (in inches only) for some species but not for all, and the artwork makes it difficult to imagine the relative sizes of the different creatures. An outline map on the endpapers shows the locations of these insects' habitats, but no countries or even continents are identified. All in all, a disappointing effort.
Louise L. Sherman, formerly at Anna C. Scott School, Leonia, NJ
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Gr. 1-3. Patent, who has written other books in this vein (Flashy Fantastic Rain Forest Frogs), takes her readers on the journey from egg to caterpillar, chrysalis, and butterfly. She then shows how tropical butterflies get to butterfly pavilions in zoos and gardens in New York and Denver (chrysalises are shipped from places such as the Butterfly Farm in Costa Rica). She explains how color and iridescence come from the butterfly's scales, and the effect of light, and why some butterflies taste really bad to birds. There's an index of names at the back, but no bibliography or sources. The watercolor pictures are rich and bright, but, unfortunately, their very splashiness works against them. The butterfly patterns and colors are so intense that they blend into, rather than stand out from, the brilliantly colored and detailed backgrounds, making them hard to see clearly. Nonetheless, this will answer many questions. GraceAnne DeCandido
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 6 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Walker Childrens (April 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0802788386
• ISBN-13: 978-0802788382
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 10.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #846,333 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Every since I was a child I've loved nature and animals. I spent my time out of doors, picking flowers and scooping tadpoles out of ponds. So it's no wonder I studied biology and became an author myself of a favorite gift when I was young, a book about nature. I've expanded into other fascinating areas of nonfiction, too, especially historical topics of the American west, such as Lewis and Clark and Native Americans.
My work has given me the gift of travel to all sorts of fascinating places such as the Galapagos Island, the Costa Rican Rain Forest, and the famous cave at Lascaux, France, full of amazing ancient art that is no longer open to visitors.

To learn more about me and my books, visit my website, www.dorothyhinshawpatent.com

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the Best in the Patent/Jubb Series of Books!, August 4, 2004

By 

Grady Harp (Los Angeles, CA United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Fabulous Fluttering Tropical Butterflies (Hardcover)

In a series of books that are placed in the "Children's" category, even when they are by the uniquely matched team of author Dorothy Hinshaw Patent and artist Kendahl Jan Jubb, there is usually a tendency for the initial impact to wear thin. Not so with FABULOUS FLUTTERING TROPICAL BUTTERFLIES! Patent writes with wisdom and excellent teaching skills, while Jubb is obviously in love with the subject. Jubb is a painter of nature and when required to include the human species in her works she is less successful. Oh, they LOOK like the people under scrutiny, but turn you attention to the actual butterflies and their various forms for morphing and you'll see the difference. This little book flies off the table with dazzling color: when Jubb is illustrating the owl butterflies of South America, she subtly includes paintings of owls to make her artistic point. And her phases of caterpillar to chrysalis to emerging butterfly are stunning. This little book reads well and is bound to be a favorite with children of all ages.