Warning -- this book contains top-secret information about butterflies! Prepare to be shocked and grossed out by this hilarious and totally true picture book introduction to a fascinating insect.
Butterflies are beautiful and quiet and gentle and sparkly . . . but that's not the whole truth. Butterflies can be GROSS. And one butterfly in particular is here to let everyone know! Talking directly to the reader, a monarch butterfly reveals how its kind is so much more than what we think. Did you know some butterflies enjoy feasting on dead animals, rotten fruit, tears and even poop? Some butterflies are loud, like the Cracker butterfly. Some are stinky -- the smell scares predators away. Butterflies can be sneaky, like the ones who pretend to be ants to get free babysitting.
This hilarious and refreshing book with silly and sweet illustrations explores the science of butterflies and shows that these insects are not the stereotypically cutesy critters we often think they are -- they are fascinating, disgusting, complicated and amazing creatures.
NOMINEE
| 2023 Shining Willow Award
SELECTION
| 2022 Bank Street College Best Children's Book of the Year
HONOR
| 2022 Michigan Reading Association Great Lakes Book Award
One of Canadian Children's Book Centre’s Best Books for Kids and Teens, Fall 2021 — Starred Pick A 2022 Texas Library Association 2x2 Reading List Pick
“A proboscis-in-cheek introduction to butterflies that will appeal to reluctant readers and bug enthusiasts alike.” —STARRED REVIEW, Kirkus Reviews
“Mosco’s written text is informative, playful, and humorous.” —CM Magazine
“Jacob Souva's artwork adds to the hilarity of this resource.” —Library Matters
“Cute, funny, entertaining, and educational, this book will be enjoyed by insect lovers of all ages.” —Calgary Herald
ROSEMARY MOSCO makes books and cartoons that connect people with the natural world. Her nature comics won the National Cartoonist Society's award for Best Online Short Form Comic and were the subject of an award-winning museum exhibit. She co-wrote the New York Times bestseller The Atlas Obscura Explorer's Guide for the World's Most Adventurous Kid, and is the author of the picture books Butterflies Are Pretty . . . Gross! and Flowers Are Pretty . . . Weird! illustrated by Jacob Souva, as well as five other science books. She speaks at birding festivals and looks for cool critters under every rock she can find. Rosemary lives in Massachusetts
View titles by Rosemary Mosco
JACOB SOUVA has a beautiful wife, two amazing sons and resides in a small countryside community in upstate New York. He loves to make kids laugh and think with his illustrations. Jacob sketches constantly and finishes his work digitally, placing a lot of emphasis on simple shapes, color and lots and lots of texture. Jacob has illustrated several picture books including The Boy with Big, Big Feelings and Pedro's Pan.
View titles by Jacob Souva
Warning -- this book contains top-secret information about butterflies! Prepare to be shocked and grossed out by this hilarious and totally true picture book introduction to a fascinating insect.
Butterflies are beautiful and quiet and gentle and sparkly . . . but that's not the whole truth. Butterflies can be GROSS. And one butterfly in particular is here to let everyone know! Talking directly to the reader, a monarch butterfly reveals how its kind is so much more than what we think. Did you know some butterflies enjoy feasting on dead animals, rotten fruit, tears and even poop? Some butterflies are loud, like the Cracker butterfly. Some are stinky -- the smell scares predators away. Butterflies can be sneaky, like the ones who pretend to be ants to get free babysitting.
This hilarious and refreshing book with silly and sweet illustrations explores the science of butterflies and shows that these insects are not the stereotypically cutesy critters we often think they are -- they are fascinating, disgusting, complicated and amazing creatures.
Awards
NOMINEE
| 2023 Shining Willow Award
SELECTION
| 2022 Bank Street College Best Children's Book of the Year
HONOR
| 2022 Michigan Reading Association Great Lakes Book Award
Reviews
One of Canadian Children's Book Centre’s Best Books for Kids and Teens, Fall 2021 — Starred Pick A 2022 Texas Library Association 2x2 Reading List Pick
“A proboscis-in-cheek introduction to butterflies that will appeal to reluctant readers and bug enthusiasts alike.” —STARRED REVIEW, Kirkus Reviews
“Mosco’s written text is informative, playful, and humorous.” —CM Magazine
“Jacob Souva's artwork adds to the hilarity of this resource.” —Library Matters
“Cute, funny, entertaining, and educational, this book will be enjoyed by insect lovers of all ages.” —Calgary Herald
Author
ROSEMARY MOSCO makes books and cartoons that connect people with the natural world. Her nature comics won the National Cartoonist Society's award for Best Online Short Form Comic and were the subject of an award-winning museum exhibit. She co-wrote the New York Times bestseller The Atlas Obscura Explorer's Guide for the World's Most Adventurous Kid, and is the author of the picture books Butterflies Are Pretty . . . Gross! and Flowers Are Pretty . . . Weird! illustrated by Jacob Souva, as well as five other science books. She speaks at birding festivals and looks for cool critters under every rock she can find. Rosemary lives in Massachusetts
View titles by Rosemary Mosco
JACOB SOUVA has a beautiful wife, two amazing sons and resides in a small countryside community in upstate New York. He loves to make kids laugh and think with his illustrations. Jacob sketches constantly and finishes his work digitally, placing a lot of emphasis on simple shapes, color and lots and lots of texture. Jacob has illustrated several picture books including The Boy with Big, Big Feelings and Pedro's Pan.
View titles by Jacob Souva
