The Mystery of the Monarchs

How Kids, Teachers, and Butterfly Fans Helped Fred and Norah Urquhart Track the Great Monarch Migration

Hardcover

Grades Preschool – 3
Ages 4–8

A gorgeous picture book based on the true story of a scientist who solves the mysteries of monarch butterfly migration—with the help of schoolchildren! A perfect story for nature lovers of all ages from the Caldecott Honor winning author of The Noisy Paint Box

Young Fred Urquhart was fascinated by insects, especially his favorite, the monarchbutterfly. He wondered where monarchs spent the winter. No one knew. After he became an entomologist (bug scientist),Fred and his wife, Norah,tagged hundreds of butterflies,hoping to solve the mysteryof the monarchs. But they soon discovered that they needed help. They started a “butterfly family,” a community of children, teachers, and nature enthusiasts fromthree countries––Canada, the United States,and Mexico––to answer the question: Where do the monarchs go?
 
Detailed materials in the back of the book include maps of monarch migration, the life cycle of the butterfly, and the cultural relevance of monarch butterflies in Mexico, as well as information on environmental efforts towards monarch conservation.

ISBN 9781984829566 (Hardcover)
Published on May 31, 2022
Published by Knopf Books for Young Readers
Pages 40
Dimensions 11 x 8-1/2
Age Range 4-8 years
Grade Preschool - 3
Reading Level Lexile: AD710L | Fountas/Pinnell: P

ISBN 9781984829580 (Ebook)
Published on May 31, 2022
Published by Knopf Books for Young Readers
Pages 40
Age Range 4-8 years
Grade Preschool - 3
Reading Level Lexile: AD710L | Fountas/Pinnell: P

Barb Rosenstock

Barb Rosenstock is the author of the Caldecott Honor Book The Noisy Paint Box, Vincent Can’t Sleep, Through the Window, and Mornings with Monet, as well as many other books. Her most recent book, Mystery of the Monarchs, is a 2023 NCTE Orbis Pictus Recommended Title and a Junior Library Guild Selection. She lives outside of Chicago with her husband, sons, and two big poodles. Barb has always lived near the Great Lakes, and wrote this book to satisfy her lifelong curiosity in their formation.

Erika Meza

Erika Meza was born in Mexico, fell in love with animation on the border with California, and developed a taste for éclairs in Paris before moving to the U.K. An adoptive Tijuanense, she took her first steps to find her visual voice at the border—forever fueled by tacos de birria. When Erika isn’t drawing, you’ll find her drinking coffee, tweeting, or plotting ways to bring her cat traveling with her. Learn more about her work at erikameza.com and follow her @ErikaDraws.

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