Butterflies: Apollo to Zephyr Metalmark

The Butterfly Alphabet Book, by Brian Cassie and Jerry Pallotta, illustrator Mark Astrella, brings the ABCs into a whole new light. It moves your child's learning base beyond A is for apple or Z is for zoo. Recommended for children ages 5-8, preschool through second grade, it will be enjoyed by younger and older readers alike. The Butterfly Alphabet Book is interesting, enlightening, and highly interactive.

This book encourages young readers to learn their ABCs by associating butterfly names with letters. "A is for Apollo...Z is for Zephyr Metalmark" Older readers can learn facts about butterflies like their life cycle, habitats, and distinctive qualities.

Cassie and Pallotta magically lead readers through discovery and encourage the learning process. Children will learn that the Dogface Butterfly has a silhouette of what appears to be a poodle on its wings. Also, discover the difference between butterflies and moths and how to detect it.

The authors use interactive techniques to bring the reader into the illustrations. Asking readers to find certain cloaked butterflies or interesting characteristics. The pictures are colorful and lifelike which encourages children to enjoy the beauty of nature.

Here is just one example of how well this book interacts: "I is for Indian Leaf Butterfly. The Indian Leaf Butterfly is perfectly camouflaged. Can you find it? It looks like a leaf on a twig, but you could walk by and never notice it." See the page shot, included with the images, to get a glimpse of the detailed artwork. The Indian Leaf Butterfly is camouflaged perfectly. Parents reading this to their children can ask little learners to point out the butterfly. Teachers could ask older readers why butterflies camouflage themselves?

Since The Butterfly Alphabet Book is based on facts, children will learn their ABCs, and beyond, using association between letters, butterfly names, and pictures. It represents the perfect combination of reading and learning, encouraging active reading, which is the basis for acquiring knowledge. Get this book and let the lepidopterist in you and your child flutter.

It is important to encourage reading. Statistically, children who read are less likely to act like a deviant and more likely to finish school and attend college. Start reading early and often to your children, encourage the habit, and stimulate their minds.

The Butterfly Alphabet Book
Brian Cassie and Jerry Pallotta
Illustrations: Mark Astrella
Published in 1995 by Charlesbridge.
ISBN 0-88106-894-2
Category 1. Butterflies-Juvenile Literature. 2. English Language-Alphabet-Juvenile Literature.