top of page
The Mystery Of The Monarchs

The Mystery Of The Monarchs

Author:

Barb Rosenstock

Illustrator:

Erika Meza

Published by:

Random House Inc.

First Published:

31 May 2022

Ideal for readers aged

6-9y

My Review

A brilliant introduction for children to the benefits of citizen science, this book tells the story of how Fred and Norah Urquhart galvanised ordinary people in not one, not two, but three countries into helping them track monarch butterflies! Given contemporary politics, I particularly love the emphasis on how science brought together epople from the United States and Mexico in a common pursuit. Vibrant illustrations and the involvement of children in the story make this a great class read aloud and a compelling way in to talking about insects, life cycles, and migration.

Heads Up!

Barb Rosenstock's 'Otis and Will Discover the Deep' is another favourite science biography of mine!

There are some Americanisms in the story, but given that it's set in America, they fit!

Publisher Review

A gorgeous picture book based on the true story of a scientist who solves the mysteries of monarch butterfly migration--with the help of schoolchildren! A perfect story for nature lovers of all ages from the Caldecott Honor winning author of The Noisy Paint Box. Young Fred Urquhart was fascinated by insects, especially his favourite, the monarch butterfly. He wondered where monarchs spent the winter. No one knew. After he became an entomologist (bug scientist), Fred and his wife, Norah, tagged hundreds of butterflies, hoping to solve the mystery of the monarchs. But they soon discovered that they needed help. They started a "butterfly family," a community of children, teachers, and nature enthusiasts from three countries--Canada, the United States, and Mexico--to answer the question: Where do the monarchs go? Detailed materials in the back of the book include maps of monarch migration, the life cycle of the butterfly, and the cultural relevance of monarch butterflies in Mexico, as well as information on environmental efforts towards monarch conservation.
bottom of page