Moth & Butterfly: Ta Da!

This is a story about how two adorable caterpillars in a leafy garden become good friends and then stay friends even after they later “pop” from their respective cocoons with radically different bodies and behaviors, one as a moth, the other as a butterfly, both beautiful, charming, and funny in their own way. Dev Petty’s enchanting story is vividly illustrated by Ana Aranda’s brush and pen paintings of moth and butterfly in their garden setting. Aranda’s exotic colors and designs perfectly fit and express each of the story’s moments, moods, and meanings. Young readers will want to dwell a while on each lush page to savor the details, some of them whimsical, such as Aranda’s smiling bees buzzing around trailing pink ribbons of musical notes from their stingers to celebrate the featured “ta-da!” moments of metamorphosis. A truly lovely book, one that deserves the full five ta-da’s!

I read this to my Forest Kindergarten class, and they absolutely loved this book. Right away they connected with the main characters and the story led to a fabulous educational discussion about the differences between butterflies and moths.

I wish people were this supportive of other people while they are growing and changing. Can there be a human version of “Happy Metamorphosis!”?As caterpillars both butterfly and moth are the same but after metamorphosis Butterfly wakes in the day while moth wakes at night but they still remain friends in the time in between (dawn/dusk). If that isn’t a metaphor for a lasting friendship, I don’t know what is.

The young caterpillars who turn into a moth and butterfly have such personality, I really feel for them and their transformation. My daughter loves butterflies (and moths). We've often discussed what makes them different, me not being completely sure. Now we know. And we can think how, despite those differences, they can still be friends

This is a beautiful book and perfect for young children learning about how metamorphosis works. Moth and Butterfly are hanging out as friends nibbling on leaves when one day they both part ways for the big metamorphosis. Moth and butterfly have changed but they see there is so much that brings them together too. I love that it has a message of taking pride in our uniqueness along with teaching an important STEM topic. The illustrations are gorgeous and add to the feeling of joy that comes from reading this book.

Such a sweet book and explains the differences in a developmentally appropriate way!

The book starts with two caterpillars, so much alike—yet different. For one is destined to become a moth and one a butterfly. The narrator compares their similarities and differences in funny ways. And once they metamorphose, their differences become even more apparent, although they still retain some similarities. A short note at the end of the story explains the terms diurnal and nocturnal and briefly lists the ways butterflies and moths are similar but different (summarizing the story's points) , and then invites the reader to take a closer look at those winged flutterers to decide whether it's a moth or a butterfly. A terrific STEM-based story filled with humor. And I love how the end papers transform from the two different caterpillars in the front to the butterfly and moth at the back. Nice touch!

Take the color and energy of Eric Carle's The Very Hungry Caterpillar, add the point of view and careful narration of the Planet Earth series, add a ton of heart, love and friendship and you get MOTH & BUTTERFLY TA-DA!It's sweet, it's charming, it's colorful. It has four too many legs but I love it.