Waiting for Wings

Waiting for Wings by Lois Ehlert is a brilliant, glorious, joyful celebration of all things "butterfly"The book is essentially a review of the life cycle of a butterfly. The text is in rhyme and is delightful. The book starts with smaller, more sedate illustrations and expands and blossoms to giant, dazzling, brilliantly colored illustrations as the butterfly develops, escapes its cocoon and takes flight.The final pages identify the illustrated butterflies and the flowers shown in the text and gives advice to readers on how to start a "butterfly garden".The information provided is accurate and informative for the pre-school/young elementary reader. The illustrations are among the best I've ever seen in a nature book, using bright, warm colors and a wide variety of artistic styles that maintain interest and dazzle the eye. The text is rhythmic and entertaining.This book is pure joy from begining to end. You'll enjoy it as much as your kids will!

This delightful story explains the life cycle of the butterfly in a clear, enjoyable way that young children will understand. The rich language with many action verbs and the author's clever use of rhyme make this book appealing to young children. The size of the illustrations are consistent with the story grammer as the pictures are largest at the point of climax in the story- when the butterflies are ready to fly. The illustrations are very brilliant in color which will appeal to young children. The end papers and title page are illustrated and a part of the story. The cover opens up to a large flower garden with the title on the right side. Descriptions of butterflies, flowers and how to grow a butterfly garden are included. This book will help young children gain a better understanding of nature and enhance their early literacy skills at the same time.

Lois Ehlert has authored a spectacular picture book that shows and tells the life cycle of the butterfly, from tiny eggs hidden in leaves to hatching caterpillars and cocoons to hungry butterflies in search of nectar in your flower gardens. Told in a gentle rhyming pattern, her simple text is chock full of information and fun facts that is easily understood by children as young as three. But the real strength of this book are Ms Ehlert's fabulous, vivid and brilliant illustrations that grow ever larger and more colorful with each page turn. With additional information at the end of the book about different kinds of butterflies and their favorite flowers and even growing a butterfly garden of your own, Waiting for Wings is a visual and intellectual feast for inquisitive little minds and their eyes.

I am using this book with students in my teaching practicum and they are absolutely fascinated. The illustrations are wonderful and the story is "simply" beautiful. Easy to understand information about the life-cycle of the butterfly with illustrations that hold interest and stimulate creativity in students. I have also thought of several activities to use with the book in the classroom.