What's Inside a Caterpillar Cocoon?: And Other Questions About Moths & Butterflies

by Rachel Ignotofsky

Overview

Notes From Your Bookseller

Perfect for the young entomologist in your life, this is a full spectrum look at everything moths and butterflies. With expressive and colorful illustrations, it's entertainment and education all in one package.

With warm and heart-fluttering illustrations, discover the next nonfiction picture book about butterflies and moths from the creator of the New York Times bestseller Women in Science!

Butterflies soar in the sunlight. While moths flutter under the moon and stars.

Find out more about these mysterious and majestic insects similarities and differences, and their awestrucking metamorphosis! 

Rachel Ignotofsky's distinctive art style and engaging, informative text clearly answers any questions a child (or adult) could have about butterflies and moths in this nonfiction picture book series.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780593176573
Publisher:	Random House Children's Books
Publication date:	09/05/2023
Series:	What's Inside
Pages:	48
Sales rank:	109,438
Product dimensions:	9.00(w) x 10.60(h) x 0.60(d)
Age Range:	4 - 7 Years

About the Author

Rachel Ignotofsky is the author and illustrator of many nonfiction books, including the New York Times bestseller Women in Science and The Wondrous Workings of Planet Earth. Rachel grew up in New Jersey on a healthy diet of cartoons and pudding. After graduating from Tyler School of Art and Architecture, she began creating illustrations that make learning exciting. Rachel hopes this book will inspire kids to ask questions about their world and to explore science and nature! For more, visit her at rachelignotofskydesign.com.

Editorial Reviews

★ "Complex information sensibly organized and beautifully presented." —Kirkus Reviews, starred review

★ "Drop-dead gorgeous....A comprehensive, accessible, and visually beautiful selection" —School Library Journal, starred review

"What is inside a caterpillar cocoon? Young readers will find the answer, along with a whole host of other facts, inside this supremely stylish introduction to the Lepidoptera family....A great primer on familiar flying and creeping friends." —Booklist

From the Publisher

★ 08/01/2023

K-Gr 3—The subject of caterpillars and butterflies is perennially popular for school-aged children, with new books published each year on the topic. Do we really need more? Yes, if it's this one, which stands out from the sea of recent contenders. Following moths and caterpillars through their life cycles—from egg to larvae to pupa and adult stages—it compares them and puts their lives into context with the environment in which they live. The illustrations are drop-dead gorgeous, full of color and contrast, and rich in detail. Heaps of fun informational nuggets are delivered throughout, similar in format to other very popular, photographically designed nonfiction book series this age group devours. For instance, there are moths that never eat anything at all, and some caterpillars change color when they molt. Back matter encourages further connection to the topic through activities for exploration and resources for creating habitats for pollinators at home. VERDICT A comprehensive, accessible, and visually beautiful selection recommended for both school and public libraries.—Jennifer Noonan

School Library Journal

★ 2023-07-13
From egg to caterpillar to pupa to adult, learn about lepidoptera.

The creator of What’s Inside a Flower (2021) returns with equally engaging answers to readers’ questions about caterpillars, moths, and butterflies. What’s particularly attractive about this invitation to look more closely at the natural world are Ignotofsky’s signature graphics, stylized illustrations with flat colors and intricate details. Carefully organized information is arranged in short bits against a background of informative images. Many pages could easily be stand-alone posters. Varied page design helps with the organization and makes the whole more absorbing. Ignotofsky labels nearly every one of the over 80 species pictured as caterpillars, pupae, or adults, with the common name in tiny but legible uppercase lettering. These pages deserve to be pored over. To begin, the author/illustrator explains the stages of a caterpillar’s life and the transformation we call metamorphosis. What may astonish young readers most is the answer to the title question: Inside the cocoon or chrysalis, a caterpillar’s body becomes “soup-like,” turning into “a brand-new body…with wings, big eyes, and a different mouth.” Ignotofsky goes on to describe the physical details and behavior of the adults that emerge. She concludes by noting how important these insects are as pollinators and encouraging her readers to help protect them. Racially diverse humans appear in a few scenes. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

Complex information sensibly organized and beautifully presented. (sources and resources) (Informational picture book. 6-9)

Kirkus Reviews