Caterpillar to Butterfly: Open Out and Create a Giant Life-Cycle

There are a lot of books about the life cycle of a butterfly for young children but what I liked about this one - published in association with the RSPB - is that the pages fold out as you cover each stage of a caterpillar's growth - so, by the end of the book, you have a beautiful butterfly surrounded by flowers and leaves. This helps to keep children's attention as you move through each stage. The rhyming text is perfectly pitched for this age range, it is simple and clear, but for older children aged 4+ there is a more detailed explanation of the life cycle of a butterfly when you reach the final page, including words like chrysalis, metamorphosis and proboscis, as well as the timings for each stage of growth. I think this would be a really effective learning tool as well as a lovely book to share for carpet time. It can also be used to inspire children's own 'life cycle' displays. Picture book / Ages 3+ / Reviewed by Ellen Green.

Suggested Reading Age 3+