Milkweed for Monarchs

PreS-Gr 3--While many books about monarchs focus on their great migration, this one stresses the importance of the milkweed plant to the butterflies' survival, while also presenting a detailed description of their life cycle. The text on each page is in two parts: the top lines are written in simple rhymes, while the bottom lines explain the science in greater detail, making the book accessible to a wide range of readers. Detailed illustrations accompany the text, the best of which depict close-up views of a single egg, various stages of caterpillar growth, and the dreamy blue-green of the chrysalis. Though the larger issues, e.g., how pesticide use and deforestation affect the butterflies' food source, may be lost on younger readers--addressed on the second spread of the book--the vivid illustrations and expressive words make the book a worthwhile purchase. Back matter includes an author's note, fun facts, ways readers can help (by planting milkweed in their garden, for example) and a brief bibliography. VERDICT A strong addition to a library's collection of butterfly books, especially in areas where monarch migration takes place.--Sue Morgan