Fabulous Fluttering Tropical Butterflies - Hardcover

Grade 2-4-With a matter-of-fact text and splashy illustrations, this introduction to tropical butterflies is a mixed bag. Patent first describes the life cycle of a butterfly and then discusses individual tropical species, telling how each one has adapted to survive in its rain-forest environment. She ends with a section on butterfly houses and farms. The text is informative but sketchy, giving an overview of the topic but not much detail. Jubb's watercolor illustrations are so bright and intense that they are overwhelming when viewed close up, and none of the species is labeled. They might be better for sharing with a group, as they can best be appreciated at some distance. The thick lines and large swathes of color seem almost at odds with the delicacy of the subject matter. Measurements are given (in inches only) for some species but not for all, and the artwork makes it difficult to imagine the relative sizes of the different creatures. An outline map on the endpapers shows the locations of these insects' habitats, but no countries or even continents are identified. All in all, a disappointing effort.
Louise L. Sherman, formerly at Anna C. Scott School, Leonia, NJ
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