Butterfly wings and Kids Books

We have had butterfly wings like this in our dress-ups for years now and they have gotten plenty of use. They are easy to put on and kids seem to feel transformed by them – which I guess is what butterfly wings are all about.

The most obvious book to gift with a set of butterfly wings is Eric Carle’s classic, The Very Hungry Caterpillar.

Below are some not-so-well-known books that would also pair really well with a set of butterfly wings.

Cocoon, by Aura Parker

I reviewed this book not long after it was released and was blown away by the detailed, delightful illustrations. Aura uses colours so well to create a magical setting for her moth character. Little children will be engaged by the terrific pictures and will probably miss the even so gentle theme that waiting is an important skill on the road to change and growth. This is a totally giftable book of the highest quality.

Perfectly Norman, by Tom Percival

Tom Percival’s series highlights different emotions and situations in a delightfully kind and gentle way. Norman is a normal kid who had imagined himself growing taller or growing a beard, but he’d never anticipated that one day he’d sprout a pair of wings. His instinct is to cover them up so his family won’t see them. But his cover-up solution makes life unpleasant. In his despair he realises that the wings are what is making him sad, it’s the coat he’s using to cover them up.

The illustrations are mostly in black and white, apart from Norman so that the reader is clear about what is focus of the book.

The Bad Butterfly, by Sally Rippin and Aki Fukuoka

Billie B Brown is a terrific Australian series that has been around our house for years now. From the time before my girls could read and I had to read them aloud, to now when we’re probably about ready to pass them on to a younger cousin.

Each story in the series can be read out of order, this one is about Billie going to ballet classes with her best friend Jack. As with most of the stories, Billie’s determination is tested by a problem that seems insurmountable.

These books are designed for children who are just graduating to independent reading. They are predictable, the words are chosen carefully so that there aren’t too many trick words on one page. The best thing is that Billie is a wonderfully independent, smart, plucky, relatable main character.