Velma Gratch & the Way Cool Butterfly

I saw this online and ordered a copy for my granddaughter. When it came I was so enchanted that I bought another copy for a different grandchild. The story is engaging and the illustrations suit the narrative. All the tension in the plot comes from within Velma herself, who is concerned about entering first grade; everyone around her is supportive. It was pleasant to find a book without bratty kids. The reading level and the sophistication level are just right for a first-grader. I highly recommend this book.

I read this book to my first grade students during our butterfly unit, and they loved it. The language is rich, using expressive adjectives, beautiful pictures, and weaving butterfly facts into a wonderful fictional story. I understand the reviewer who was surprised by the second visit to the principal, but it facilitated a wonderful dialogue in our class about what our own principal's reaction might be. The class predicted that he would be thrilled to see Velma's way cool butterfly!

For anyone with children (or, who has been a child), who felt their siblings had special gifts and that they may not: Read this book! It so solidly informs us that we all are unique and special, and is beautifully written and illustrated in tune with this message.

This is my kids all time favorite book. They ask me to read it to them over and over again. They just can't get enough of Velma Gratch. I think that we all have a little bit of Velma in us, and that is one of the things that is so applealling about it. I highly recommend it.