Papilio

by Ben Clanton, Corey R. Tabor, Andy Chou Musser, Ben Clanton (Illustrator), Corey R. Tabor (Illustrator)

Overview

A tale told in three parts by three friends! Powerhouse creators, Ben Clanton, Corey R. Tabor, and Andy Chou Musser, have come together to create a wholly inventive picture book that is perfect for fans of The Very Hungry Caterpillar.

Introducing Papilio Polyxenes, the Black Swallowtail Butterfly! She’s an adorable and hilarious caterpillar who is ready to join the world and become a butterfly! But growing up is a complicated work in progress, and Papilio encounters some hiccups as she learns to fly, fall, and feed. While avoiding foes and making friends, she transforms from caterpillar, to chrysalis, to butterfly...and most importantly, learns to believe in herself along the way.

Told in three parts and complete with backmatter about butterflies, mega-bestselling author-illustrator Ben Clanton (Narwhal and Jelly), Caldecott Honoree Corey R. Tabor (Mel Fell) and rising star Andy Chou Musser (Ploof) have come together to create an expressive character who exudes all of the emotions that accompany life's big firsts and the experiences that help us to discover our inner strength.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780593693278
Publisher:	Penguin Young Readers Group
Publication date:	03/04/2025
Sold by:	Penguin Group
Format:	eBook
Pages:	48
File size:	15 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.
Age Range:	3 - 7 Years

About the Author

Ben Clanton (Caterpillar) is the New York Times bestselling and Eisner Award-winning author and illustrator of the Narwhal and Jelly series. Some of his other titles include It Came in the Mail, Ploof (an interactive new picture book series co-created with Andy Chou Musser), and the Tater Tales books. Ben makes books in Seattle, Washington where he lives with his family (which on occasion includes a few roly-polies and butterflies).

Corey R. Tabor (Chrysalis) is the author/illustrator of Mel Fell, a Caldecott Honor recipient, and the winner of the first Barnes & Noble annual picture book award. He is also the creator of the Fox early reader and picture book series, which has garnered two Geisel Medals (Fox the Tiger and Fox Is Late). He is not new to the practice of venerating insects—his graphic novel series Sir Ladybug (about a ladybug knight who is heroic but shy) debuted last year.

Andy Chou Musser (Butterfly) is the author-illustrator of A Home Under the Stars, his debut picture book, which received a starred review from Kirkus Reviews and a silver medal from the Society of Illustrators of LA. He’s co-creator of two new series: Science Explorers (the first book is Search for a Giant Squid) with Amy Seto Forrester, and Ploof with Ben Clanton. Andy lives in Seattle with his partner and two cats, who spend a lot of time together watching butterflies and other critters zooming around the garden.

Editorial Reviews

* "Artistic collaboration yields one-of-a-kind storytelling with this deft look at the transformation from caterpillar to butterfly. . .Move aside, Very Hungry Caterpillar. Meet the new queen of metamorphosis storytime splendor." —Kirkus Reviews, starred review

* "With a light narrative and visual touch, the creators’ sections. . .convey a sense of growth, optimism, and change. Facts and a creators’ note conclude." —Publishers Weekly, starred review

"A must-have...an ideal story for children curious about the natural world...This collaborative story blends the artistic styles of three author/illustrators and tells a memorable story of metamorphosis." —Shelf Awareness

"Setting details that appear in each artist’s section, such as a large, pink, poppy-like flower, are noticeably the same, yet distinctly Clanton- or Tabor- or Musser-esque. A clever celebration of close looking, collaboration, and experimentation that offers a fresh twist on a familiar metamorphosis story." —Horn Book Magazine

From the Publisher

★ 2024-10-25
Artistic collaboration yields one-of-a-kind storytelling with this deft look at the transformation from caterpillar to butterfly.

A talented trio of author/illustrator creators and friends explore the three phases of a black swallowtail’s life. Clanton takes on the first stage, introducing us toPapilio polyxenes, a caterpillar full of wide-eyed wonder and boundless hunger. Tabor tackles the challenging chrysalis stage, showing an oblivious Papilio’s adventures as she goes from caterpillar to goo to butterfly. Finally, Musser’s butterfly emerges to find that things aren’t always easy when you’re new, so a little persistence goes a long way. While the art styles shift a bit, generally the illustrations are soft and cartoonish, and the tone of the book is remarkably consistent and chock-full of small delights (such as the caterpillar-stage Papilio merrily singing, “Got a full belly, time to turn to jelly”). Papilio’s mouse friend appears throughout all three stories, providing a consistent throughline as the two creatures help one another. For all its simplicity, the book keeps on the scientifically accurate side of the equation, even including backmatter with fascinating facts (for instance, black swallowtails create their own antifreeze in the winter). The result is charming, informative, and absolutely ideal for preschool read-alouds.

Move aside, Very Hungry Caterpillar. Meet the new queen of metamorphosis storytime splendor.(Picture book. 3-7)

Kirkus Reviews