The Butterflies Come
Leo Politi ~ Charles Scribner's Sons, 1957
I love how Leo wrote about nature and history in his picture books. Always tying a fictional story back to the real world. Since I was a little girl, I've wanted to see the monarch migration. Someday, perhaps. But for now, I have to be contented sharing this special little story with my son.
Stephen and Lucia lived on the Monterrey Peninsula by the blue Pacific Ocean. On sunny days they like to go down and play by the sea. On stormy days, safe indoors, they liked to watch the angry waves rise and splash against the rocks. When the storm was over, they wondered at the beautiful rainbow arching across the sky.Always in play with the natural world around them, Stephen and Lucia stand in awe as they see a strange cloud coming over the bay.
As it came nearer they could see it was a cloud of thousands of orange butterflies glittering in the sunlight. As they passed overhead, Stephen and Lucia could hear the faint rustling sound of countless wings.
Deep in the forest the two go to see the butterflies rest in the trees, and we learn of the annual Butterfly Festival to celebrate the winged arrivals. Lucia has countless animal friends she visits in the woods, and the two are so kind to the butterflies, I suppose we were all born so gentle of heart. It might be naive, idyllic thinking, but the tone of the words and drawings are so peaceful, it makes me wish more children had the chance to know the forest in this way. Really, children and nature were two things born to go together. 
Also by:Song of the Swallows
Three Stalks of Corn
5 comments:
I like books that combine fiction and non-fiction as well. This looks like a great one.
The art reminds me of Marc Simont's work. Very cool.
"...children and nature were two things born to go together."
So true. Even though I grew up in mostly suburban areas with little wilderness around me, I so loved my family's road trips to National Parks, exploring beaches or forest trails as a young girl.
Even in our small backyard, my sister and I would marvel at anthills and bird nests, and make weed "salads" to serve to customers at our porch "restaurant."
Looks like a lovely book. Thank you for sharing it.
What, you haven't seen the monarch migration? They often spend a night in our trees in the fall (we're up around Bergheim.) THe last few years have been sparse. Have you gone up to Fredericksburg Herb Farm to tag the monarchs? Check their website the beginning of Sept for dates - so you can be a part of the migration. They also have an enclosed butterfly garden and a small breeding area. Magical.
I'm glad to see that publishers have gotten some of his books back in print...
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