A story about the lifecycle of a butterfly written in reverse, If you Want to be a Butterfly by Mượn Thị Văn and Andrea Armstrong is a narrative non-fiction picture book perfect for budding lepidopterists, aka butterfly scientists. 

A butterfly takes readers through their lifecycle in reverse, lyrically sharing what one needs to do in order to be a butterfly, then chrysalis, then caterpillar and finally an egg. Through the lyrical text, Mượn Thị Văn explains the different characteristics one would observe at each stage of the butterfly’s life cycle. It’s an interesting and unique take on a story about a topic that readers all learn much about through their younger school years.

Since they are pretty ubiquitous, most young learners will experience the butterfly lifecycle during their younger years. I know several child care centres, including my own, and kindergarten classrooms that will purchase the caterpillars so young learners can see the transformation with their own eyes. To have a beautiful picture book that reads like a story to complement the wonderful traditional non fiction books about butterflies, readers have the opportunity to be immersed in the subject.

Andrea Armstrong’s digital illustrations feel organic and soft, like pencil crayons on paper. There is a simplicity to her work that will connect with readers and help them create their own beautiful drawings of their own observations. If you Want to be a Butterfly is a book I would expect to see in many early years learning settings.