Lela and the Butterflies |

Thank you to Muddy Boots Books for publishing this book about butterfly conservation!

Lela loves butterflies. When Lela takes a nature walk with Ranger Maggie, she learns that butterflies need help. Lela’s small steps in butterfly conservation start with a butterfly garden of nectar and host plants, but she doesn’t stop there and ends up spreading her love for butterflies throughout the community. A simple guide to planting a butterfly garden is also included. For ages 4-9. 9781630763824 Co-author is Tim Maret, illustrations by Merisha Sequoia Clark. Here is LINK to the googlebooks preview.

Link to a great VIDEO to show what goes on inside a chrysalis!

Tim and I lived on a former farm (almost fifty acres) before moving to WA. Most of it we put in a conservation easement. Tim planted native trees and shrubs. Our focus was on birds, bees, butterflies with monarchs being the main emphasis. We had large patches of milkweed and goldenrod. Host and nectar plants for other butterflies are spread across the land. Check out the spicebush swallowtail caterpillar I found on one of our plants-click here. As we neared retirement, we decided to sell our nature haven to a wonderful family. We decided to live near our son and family so we didn’t have to fly every time we wanted to see our granddaughter. Now we are sharing our love of butterflies with her!

NOTE: Mrs. Hower was my third grade teacher and I loved her class. She is the teacher in the book. A youth librarian at our local library wanted to start a milkweed patch so we donated milkweed last year. We are adding more this year. The librarian is depicted in the library scene.

REVIEW: Beautifully written and illustrated, Lela and the Butterflies is jam-packed with interesting facts about butterfly biology, ecology and butterfly gardening, craftily woven into the story of a little girl named Lela who loves butterflies. The book is so entertaining and appealing that readers young and old will acquire butterfly knowledge without even realizing that they are learning. –Johanna Davey, Butterfly Atrium Manager at Hershey Gardens-PA

REVIEW: Lela loves butterflies and when she learns that butterflies need help she jumps right into building her very own butterfly garden and inspiring her community to do the same. Packed with information this is a book that butterfly lovers and nature enthusiasts won’t want to miss! –Charlotte Offsay, author of The Big Beach Cleanup

REVIEW: Inviting and informative, Lela and the Butterflies is a botanical bonanza.This story follows the eponymous Lela and her love for all things butterflies. After enjoying a nature walk with her parents, Lela learns the local butterflies could use her help.With the help and support of her parents and community, Lela creates new and safe habitats for the butterflies throughout town in a way that is sure to inspire readers of all ages. Back matter includes further resources and information on how to create your own butterfly garden.
Descriptive text and gorgeous illustrations make this title a particularly excellent choice for classrooms and STEM lessons. Recommended for grades K-3.-Olivia Gorecke, Elementary Librarian