Crinkleroot's Guide to Knowing Butterflies and Moths

You can tell Arnosky really loves children. What a delightful book he's accomplished here of a happy old man named Crinkleroot who loves to explore the forest for butterflies and moths to tell us all about. It's as if he is our grandfather and we are there with him to romp along! Of all the butterfly books I've come across and could only buy one for my daughter, this would (will) be it because of the personal approach included in the adventurous, fun-loving story. Adults and children alike want to "follow" Mr. Crinkleroot along on the "journey." If more books were written in this way I think children would enjoy reading more. Here's a short sample from the beginning, "Hello. My name is Crinkleroot. I was born in a tree and raised by bees! I can speak caterpillar, moth, and butterfly, all at the same time. And I know every wild critter in the great outdoors! Here on my hat is my friend snake. I call her Sassafrass. We're going to the wood's edge to look for butterflies. You can come too." On the next page he continues talking to us the readers. As he puts a hand to his head to look he says, "Butterflies and their close relatives, moths, are among the most numerous of all insects. Hmm...Where could they be? This meadow is usually all aflutter with butterflies." And in the picture, they are all flying behind him and Sassafrass, who is riding on his hat, turns around smiling at them. So you see how cute the style is but be assured it is packed full of information and over fourty species of butterflies and moths including their anatomy, life cycles and feeding habits. From the back cover, "Jim Arnosky has won the Eva L. Gordon Award for his outstanding children's science literature and the Christopher Award for his classic work, Drawing From Nature. As School Library Journal says, 'Nobody captures nature's whims and wiles better than Jim Arnosky." Check out the other Crinkleroot Nature Guides for you to enjoy: Crinkleroot's Guide to Knowing Birds, CR's Guide to Knowing Trees, CR's Guide to Walking in Wild Places, CR's 25 Mammals Every Child Should Know, CR's 25 More Animals Every Child Should Know, CR's 25 Birds Every Child Should Know, CR's 25 Fish Ever Child Should Know, CR's Book of Animal Tracking, and I Was Born in a Tree and Raised by Bees! Enjoy books with your children. It is not only educational but loving, quality time. Hold them as you read and they will remember your story time forever and pass it on their love of books to their children. Soar!

This book wonderfully combines factual information about butterflies and moths with beautiful illustrations. The narrator, Crinkleroot, is an overall-clad elderly gent who slightly resembles Kris Kringle. He tells the story of butterflies in a creative and humorous way (even for adults). His pet snake, Sassafrass, also adds to the fun. I discovered this book at the library with my three-year old son. We had such a good time reading through it the first time that I thought it was something we should have on our bookshelf at home.