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10 Fun Books About Butterflies and Caterpillars
As I’m sitting and watching the butterflies and caterpillars out of my office window, it reminded me of the fun lessons I did to teach the butterfly life cycle. In addition to doing fun butterfly crafts and writing activities with my kindergarten class, I would use books and poems to teach all about butterflies and caterpillars.
Today, I’m sharing my favorite butterfly books to help you build your collection, and teach the kiddos all about butterflies. In this list, there is a mixture of fiction and non-fiction books about butterflies and caterpillars, best for kids ages 3-8.
Butterfly Books for Kids
The Little Guide to Butterflies
This non-fiction, informational, book about butterflies is a must have when teaching about caterpillars and butterflies. Along with a beautiful, vibrant, illustration of a butterfly, there are facts and short paragraphs about that particular butterfly. Some of the facts include wingspan, the common name, a scientific name, the butterflies habitat, and the lifespan of a butterfly.
My, Oh My, A Butterfly! All About Butterflies
If your kiddos are fans of Cat in the Hat, then this Dr. Seuss book about butterflies is for them! You will be taken on an adventure into Sally and Dick’s backyard. Watch as they observe a metamorphosis of a caterpillar becoming a butterfly. Not only will your kiddos see the butterfly life cycle throughout this book, they will also learn facts about butterflies, and follow a migration of monarch butterflies.
Ten Magic Butterflies
When teaching about butterflies and caterpillars, there are endless opportunities to integrate other content areas. This book about counting butterflies is perfect for bridging your science lessons to math and literacy activities.
From Caterpillar to Butterfly
This non-fiction picture book about butterflies and caterpillars is must have in your collection. If you have a butterfly garden for home or the classroom, this would be a good book to accompany it.
The Very Hungry Caterpillar
Friends, this book is one of my Eric Carle books. If you read my post about Must-Haves for Kindergarten Teachers, you saw that I absolutely love Eric Carle books. This is the 50th Anniversary Golden Edition…eek!!! Follow the butterfly life cycle as it begins with an egg laying on a leaf in the light of the moon. The hungry caterpillar hatches from the egg and begins eating everything…even things it shouldn’t be eating. In fact, on each day of the week, the caterpillar eats more and more junk food…only to realize it was the healthy leaves that made him feel the best. After spending two weeks inside the chrysalis, a beautiful butterfly emerges.
There are so many ways you can extend the learning from this butterfly book for kids. For example, reinforce a caterpillar and butterfly life cycle, days of the week, growing patterns, healthy vs. unhealthy foods, and retelling. It’s a favorite for many early childhood teachers and homeschool families.
Pete the Cat and the Cool Caterpillar
If you’re looking for a butterfly book that kids can read independently, this is it. This level 1 reader, starring Pete the Cat, is an “I Can Read” book that your kiddo will love. Pete goes looking for his caterpillar friend, and is afraid he’s gone missing. In the end, he’s shocked to find out what happened to his caterpillar friend. My friend, Tina, from Teach the TK Way, also recommends this book about butterflies.
Waiting for Wings
Lois Ehlert is a popular children’s book author, and she doesn’t dissapoint with this book about butterflies and caterpillars. Where do butterflies come from? How are they born? What do they eat? Lois Ehlert uses rhyming text to grab the kiddos attention, and answer all the important questions about butterflies.
Butterfly: Colors and Counting
If you’re looking for a simple butterfly book for preschoolers or kindergarten-aged kids, this is a good choice. There isn’t a storyline or lesson to be learned. It’s simply for the purpose of counting and color recognition. Each page has a numeral (1-10), and a set of colored butterflies. The color words are also displayed on each page in large print.
Rommie’s Journey: An amazing adventure of a little caterpillar
This book was recommended by a fellow kindergarten teacher. She said this book is filled with positive messages about encouragement, while also teaching about the journey of a caterpillar becoming a beautiful butterfly.
Charlie the Caterpillar
This is a classic children’s book about Charlie the Caterpillar. Charlie the caterpillar wants to play with his friends, but, sadly, they won’t let him join because he’s too ugly. As you can only imagine, the story changes as Charlie emerges as a beautiful butterfly. There are many lessons to be learned in this book about butterflies and caterpillars.
Butterfly Poems for Kids
It’s not a shock that I am adding a fun poem about butterflies and caterpillars. If you follow my stories on Instagram or Facebook, then you know how much I love using poetry to get kids excited to read.
Get your Caterpillar poem, HERE.
Thank you for stopping by to check out this list of books for kids. I hope you’ve found a fun book to add to your collection!
Before you go, here are more blog posts you may enjoy:
My Favorite Spring Sensory Box for Kids
7 Fun Spring Activities for Kids
Butterflies and Caterpillars
