Monarch Magic!: Butterfly Activities & Nature Discoveries (Williamson Kids Good Times!(Tm).) [Paperback]

Lynn Rosenblatt (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 8 and up | Grade Level: 3 and up | Series: Williamson Kids Good Times!(Tm).

This title is suitable for ages 4 to 8 years. Imagine a beautiful monarch butterfly - weighing less than a coin and only a few weeks old - setting out on a journey of 2500 miles, with no map, no directions, and no leader. It is a marvel of nature...and you can share in it! This is an environmental/science experience with a lasting impression! Children can participate in their first environmental cause as they discover the relationship between their favourite butterfly and the milkweed - the only food the monarch can eat in the caterpillar stage. This title includes stunning photographs that let children experience the complete metamorphosis, plus 40 butterfly activities. This title is suitable for ages 4-12.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 3-6-The first half of this colorful book focuses on the insect's life cycle, delineating each stage of its metamorphosis in a smooth blend of large-print text and snapshot-sized color photographs. The monarch's pattern of migration and the importance of its host plant, the milkweed, are also discussed. The second section gives step-by-step directions for a wealth of projects and activities such as rearing a monarch butterfly from either the egg or caterpillar stage; keeping a journal to track migration or chart growth; setting up a butterfly feeding station; constructing a pom-pom caterpillar; forming a club to promote monarch awareness; and joining an Internet group to track migration (Web sites are provided). Numerous sidebars provide additional miscellaneous information, define terms, or offer "see" references to projects (these are unnecessary, as all projects are listed in the index and on the contents page). Clear, full-color photographs and a few drawings and diagrams are also included. While the layout is lively, the many different elements appearing on each page detract from the main text. Another minor flaw-although every other stage of the butterfly's life cycle is described in detail, the text does not explain how the insects actually mate. These quibbles aside, the information provided is clearly written and well organized. Laurence Pringle's An Extraordinary Life: The Story of a Monarch Butterfly (Orchard, 1997) and Kathryn Lasky's Monarchs (Harcourt, 1993) provide similar information, but no other book offers the same wealth of related activities.
Karey Wehner, San Francisco Public Library
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

"An excellent introduction to the world of the monarch butterfly. Beautiful full-color photographs accompany the text from beginning to end." -- ForeWord Magazine

"No book offers the same wealth of related activities." -- School Library Journal

Track the life cycle and metamorphosis of one of Nature's resplendent creatures. First-rate photographs and illustrations, instructions for hands-on activities, like planting a butterfly garden, crafting monarch-inspired artwork, and joining other kids throughout North America to chart the monarchs' annual cross-continent migration will inspire Monarch Magic! among families everywhere. A 1999 Parents' Choice® Silver Honor Winner. (Parents' Choice®) -- From Parents' Choice®

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Paperback: 96 pages
• Publisher: Williamson Pub (September 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1885593236
• ISBN-13: 978-1885593238
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 8.1 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.1 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #216,236 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #100 in Books > Children's Books > Science, Nature & How It Works > Environment & Ecology

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding photographs - wonderful for all ages!, May 15, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Monarch Magic!: Butterfly Activities & Nature Discoveries (Williamson Kids Good Times!(Tm).) (Paperback)

Kids and adults will LOVE this book. It is selling like hotcakes in schools and bookstores across Connecticut. The hands-on crafts are wonderful! The colorful,vivid photographs are extraordinary as they summarize the life cycle of the monarch butterfly. Migration, milkweed preservation, butterfly gardening, varieties of nationwide milkweed and the protection of the monarch habitat are glorified in this exciting book! Best of all, kids can connect on the internet to learn more about monarchs. Check out these web sites!

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Educator's Dream, October 5, 1999

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Monarch Magic!: Butterfly Activities & Nature Discoveries (Williamson Kids Good Times!(Tm).) (Paperback)

My Kindergarten son brought this book home from his school library and I groaned at the prospect of reading yet another 'chapter book' aloud to him. Instead, I was drawn into the beautiful photographs, the info and the great craft ideas. I am purchasing my own copy to keep in my classroom and am looking forward to sharing this beautiful book with my students.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent for my class, September 25, 2005

By 

Joy Gaiser "butterfly guru!" (New Milford, CT) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Monarch Magic!: Butterfly Activities & Nature Discoveries (Williamson Kids Good Times!(Tm).) (Paperback)

I raise Monarchs in the summer and when school starts, I bring them to my class. We keep them in an enclosure that I built for part of the day and then release them. The book was an excellent addition to my Monarch library.