An exhibition of Ray Shannon’s collection of
butterflies inspired the publication of The
Secret World of Butterflies, which takes us on a journey through the birth
and life of many different species of butterflies.
The inside covers are
covered in glorious coloured flying butterflies with their names written along
the outside of their wings.
This stunning picture book focuses on the
interesting and extraordinary habits of Nature’s beauties, such as they taste
with their feet, and some drink from puddles of mud and rain.
There are very
large and very small ones. They fly very high, and at times as high a flying
helicopter. And they see things in black and white, not colour as we do. They
are good at camouflage and some species have transparent wings. Their wings are
wet and crinkly when they just come out of the chrysalis, but the sun quickly
dries them to become outspread.
For people who are interested in butterflies, this
is a highly informative and educational book. It can be used to show and teach
young children about these beautiful creatures, some of whose average lifespan
is just one month, and one week alone for the smaller ones.
They are amazing! Children will love the incredible
wing designs, the various sizes they are born to, their habits but most of all,
their exquisite fragile beauty and colour.
There are a generous amount of fun facts at the end,
in fact three pages full. Whether it’s the female Queen Alexandra birdwing
butterfly with its wingspan of 32 centimetres, or the world’s smallest - the
western pigmy blue, this book will send children to their computers for more
research on these these treasures of nature.
Title:
Secret World of Butterflies
Author:
Courtney Sina Meredith
Illustrator:
Giselle Clarkson
Publisher:
Allen & Unwin, $19.95
Publication
Date: June 2018
Format:
Paperback
ISBN:
978160633608
For
ages: 3+
Type: Picture Book
