Butterflies and Moths

Nic Bishop
New York: Scholastic Nonfiction, 2009
48 p. (Grades K-3)

Nic Bishop contends that "butterflies are the most beautiful of insects [and that] the thrill of seeing them never fades." After perusing his fascinating new book on these elegant creatures, readers will agree. This nonfiction gem showcases Bishops' perfectly captured photographs, magnified to show intricate detail. Alongside his awe-inspiring photos, the text explains the life cycle of butterflies and moths and points out various facts about self-defense mechanisms, physical features, and eating habits. Brightly colored backgrounds and enlarged, bold-faced text that emphasize the main ideas make it a perfect pick for reluctant readers. While some of the vocabulary might be troublesome for younger readers, the wonder inspired by the photographs is enough to keep the pages turning.