Butterflies have to be one of nature’s most magical creatures. Transforming from caterpillars to cocoons to beautiful winged insects is nothing short of enchanting. These butterfly books for kids will charm young butterfly lovers and naturalists.
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1. A Butterfly Is Patient by Dianna Aston, illustrated by Sylvia Long
This celebration of butterflies is also a guide to their many varieties, with illustrations to absolutely enchant all adorers of the beautiful insects.
Buy it: A Butterfly Is Patient on Amazon.com
2. The Little Butterfly That Could by Ross Burach
This companion to Burach’s book The Very Impatient Caterpillar both uplifts and teaches as its funny story works in lessons about butterfly migration and perseverance.
Buy it: The Little Butterfly That Could on Amazon.com
3. Ten Magic Butterflies by Danica McKellar, illustrated by Jennifer Bricking
Television actress and math whiz McKellar uses charming butterflies and flowers to make this storybook incorporate a lesson on the many ways to group numbers to ten.
Buy it: Ten Magic Butterflies on Amazon.com
4. Moth & Butterfly: Ta Da! by Dev Petty, illustrated by Ana Aranda
Two caterpillars go into their cocoons friends and come out two different species (a moth and a butterfly) who still manage to connect, despite their differences.
Buy it: Moth & Butterfly: Ta Da! on Amazon.com
5. My, Oh My—a Butterfly! by Tish Rabe, illustrated by Aristides Ruiz and Joe Mathieu
The Cat in the Hat leads young learners through the miracles of metamorphosis that can be observed right in their backyards. A great beginner’s guide to all things butterfly.
Buy it: My, Oh My—a Butterfly! on Amazon.com
6. How to Be a Butterfly, by Laura Knowles, illustrated by Catell Ronca
This gorgeously illustrated book delving into the life of a butterfly goes beyond admiration for the insects to illuminate their important roles in their ecosystems.
Buy it: How to Be a Butterfly on Amazon.com
7. How to Hide a Butterfly & Other Insects by Ruth Heller
This seek-and-find has kids searching for more than just butterflies, on colorful pages filled with Heller’s beautiful paintings and engaging rhymes.
Buy it: How to Hide a Butterfly & Other Insects on Amazon.com
8. Gotta Go! Gotta Go! by Sam Swope, illustrated by Sue Riddle
A caterpillar is compelled to go to Mexico but doesn’t quite know why or how she’ll get that far; all is explained as author Swope takes readers on a monarch butterfly’s transformation and 3,000-mile migration.
Buy it: Gotta Go! Gotta Go! on Amazon.com
9. Hurry and the Monarch by Antoine O Flatharta, illustrated by Meilo So
A friendship between a Texas tortoise and a charming monarch en route from Canada to Mexico is the centerpiece of this rich picture book.
Buy it: Hurry and the Monarch on Amazon.com
10. Waiting for Wings by Lois Ehlert
With her trademark colorful collages and vibrant rhyming text that dances kids through the pages, Ehlert’s book on a butterfly’s life journey is a must-have for butterfly lovers.
Buy it: Waiting for Wings on Amazon.com
11. Hello, Little One: A Monarch Butterfly Story by Zeena M. Pliska, illustrated by Fiona Halliday
This book is two things in one: a portrayal of the monarch butterfly’s life cycle and a lesson on friendship.
Buy it: Hello, Little One: A Monarch Butterfly Story on Amazon.com
12. The Girl Who Drew Butterflies: How Maria Merian’s Art Changed Science by Joyce Sidman
While not expressly about butterflies, award-winning author Sidman’s biography of Maria Merian will deeply inspire young scientists with this picture-book biography of her. The illustrations throughout, including one of a butterfly’s metamorphosis that Merian was one of the first to document, are Merian’s own.
Buy it: The Girl Who Drew Butterflies: How Maria Merian’s Art Changed Science on Amazon.com
13. Where Butterflies Grow by Joanne Ryder, illustrated by Lynne Cherry
Close-up illustrations give young naturalists a detailed look at how a swallowtail butterfly comes to be.
Buy it: Where Butterflies Grow on Amazon.com
14. Pinkalicious and the Little Butterfly by Victoria Kann
Fans of Pinkalicious and those looking for butterfly books for kids will share her delight as she befriends a caterpillar that turns into a charming butterfly pal.
Buy it: Pinkalicious and the Little Butterfly on Amazon.com
15. National Geographic Kids: Caterpillar to Butterfly by Laura Marsh
With the high-quality photos NatGeo is known for, this easy reader will captivate young learners eager to learn more about butterflies. This book is a staple among butterfly books for kids.
Buy it: National Geographic Kids: Caterpillar to Butterfly on Amazon.com
16. The Life Cycles of Butterflies by Judy Burris and Wayne Richards
Perfect for all ages of butterfly devotees, this gorgeous book illustrates the full life cycle of 23 types of butterflies.
Buy it: The Life Cycles of Butterflies on Amazon.com
Love these books? Check out our list of dinosaur books for kids too!
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