HOME IS CALLING

A close-up look at the 3,000-mile fall monarch butterfly migration to overwintering grounds in Mexico.

An opening spread shows a difficult-to-recognize distended North American continent, several orangish-white lines extending from the north and converging in Mexico. The text notes that it takes monarchs traveling north in the spring four generations to reach their destinations, but monarchs that hatch in the fall make the trip to Mexico in one go. From this opening, swirling, twirling orange-and-black butterflies fill the pages of this informative yet lyrical book. Challenging vocabulary will stretch readers’ own wings: kaleidoscope, nectar, roost. Pryor doesn’t shy away from the fact that not all will survive: Lack of resting spots and adequate food as well as storms are issues. The backmatter delineates other threats, things readers can do to help monarchs, the life cycle and anatomy of a monarch, information about milkweed, info about monarch migration and a map, and an author’s note. Here the text also notes that “insects change form as they grow in a process called metamorphosis,” which is true for only about 80% of species. While the picture-book format may be young for the audience that matches the text’s language, it’s a good springboard for further research into monarch migration for older students and a good stretch for younger ones. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

A launch pad for learning more about monarchs.