The migration of monarch butterflies across North America and back is a majestic and incredible thing to witness. Look To The Skies tracks their journey through the eyes of children in different places. The children in the book live across North America, from Canada to Mexico, and one thing they have in common is that they watch the skies for the butterflies’ return.
The book begins in Canada in the summer time and each spread shows a new place, gradually moving south across the continent as the year moves towards winter. The images introduce North America beautifully to young readers and make clear that it is a vast space with many different areas. From the corn-harvest, to a fall-time pumpkin parade, to through to two solitary children riding across the plains, the story celebrates the identities of the places the butterflies visit.
What makes this book extra special is that the cut-out pages. The butterflies from one spread appear on another that has cut-out butterfly shapes. This makes the book fun for young readers and it also adds to the sense that children in different places are seeing the same butterflies. The pictures are beautifully colourful and the bright pastel shades add to the tone of celebration and cheer.
It is lovely to see a book that both informs about the butterfly migration but also reads like a rhyming-story. It will encourage readers to pick up on the delight of seeing butterflies and to feel inspired to look at the butterflies in their own garden.
This is a delightful and cheering book that celebrates one of nature’s most beautiful spectacles. Educational and enjoyable: this is a hit.
- Look to the Skies by Hannah Tolson and Nicola Edwards is available now from Little Tiger Group. RRP. £12.99 (Provided for review)
