Children's Books About Butterflies - Grade School Giggles

If you’re like most teachers, you’ve probably spent way too much time searching for great books to go along with the topics you’re teaching. So this time, I’ve dug the leg work for you. Today, I’m sharing #5 children’s books about butterflies that are totally worth purchasing.

10 Excellent Children’s Books About Butterflies

Let’s dig in and look at a few of my favorite children’s books about butterflies. Some of these books are focused on scientific facts others are simply fantastic stories, but all of them would be great additions to your classroom. Check them out, and let me know if you have any additional recommendations.

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Must-Read #1 – Velma Gratch & The Way Cool Butterfly

Velma Gratch & The Way Cool Butterfly is a wonderfully whimsical children’s story about a young girl’s extraordinary adventures. The author, Alan Madison, shares a relatable story about discovering your unique strengths and believing in yourself. The main character, Velma, has two older sisters who her teachers fondly remember. Velma wants to be unique so that her teachers will remember her too. She finds her chance to shine when her class studies butterfly life cycles. Your students will enjoy following along as Velma discovers her love of science.

Must-Read #2 – Gotta Go! Gotta Go!

Sam Swope’s book, Gotta Go! Gotta Go! is an utterly adorable tale perfect for introducing the incredible life cycle of monarch butterflies. With its sweet illustrations and sing-songy rhymes, this story follows one brave caterpillar on its journey from birth to migration and back home again – where it can lay its own eggs!

Must-Read #3 – The Little Butterfly That Could

The Very Impatient Caterpillar is the perfect book to model working through tough challenges. Plus, it gives a humorous overview of butterfly migration and offers reminders of how important it can be for kids to keep trying, no matter what life throws their way. This book may not be a scientific hard-hitter, but the story is fabulously engaging!

Must-Read #4 – From Caterpillar To Butterfly

This nonfiction picture book will guide your class through the incredible journey of metamorphosis from caterpillars to butterflies! Colorful illustrations and straightforward text will take your students through the life cycle of these amazing insects. If you’re planning to hatch butterflies in your classroom, this is the perfect book to encourage your students to learn more about butterflies in real life!

This book pairs perfectly with these free cut-and-paste butterfly worksheets. They cover the life cycle of a butterfly as well as caterpillar and butterfly body parts. You can grab your free copy below.

⭐ Get FREE butterfly life cycle cut and paste worksheets! ⭐

Must-Read #5 – Moth & Butterfly: Ta Da!

Two caterpillar friends share a special friendship, but when they undergo metamorphosis, their transformations lead them down different paths. When the two emerge, one is a butterfly while the other is a moth. This story would be a great introduction to a lesson on butterflies versus moths and the differences that make these insects unique.

Must-Read #6 – How To Be A Butterfly

Butterflies come in an astounding number of varieties, sizes, and colors. In addition, how To Be A Butterfly is filled with beautiful illustrations. In fact, the illustrations showing the biodiversity of butterflies are what make this book so memorable. Your students will be amazed to see a sampling of the many species of butterflies.

Must-Read #7 – Hurry And The Monarch

Along her migration from the plains of Canada to the warmth of Mexico, a beautiful monarch butterfly meets Hurry – an old tortoise who has never traveled. The butterfly and Hurry talk about how each animal passes the winter months before she travels on to Mexico and back again.

Must-Read #8 – The Very Impatient Caterpillar

This is the book you want if you want a read-aloud filled with child-appropriate humor. The Very Impatient Caterpillar provides a humorous introduction to the life cycle of a butterfly as two caterpillars undergo metamorphosis and transform into butterflies. It’s full of fictional fun, but it also provides facts about metamorphosis.

Must-Read #9 – Butterflies Are Pretty Gross!

Butterflies may be beautiful, but did you know they can be gross too? From feasting on rotten fruit to eating poop – these remarkable insects can be downright disgusting. There’s more to butterflies than what we usually think of. This book is a fun and educational kid favorite that will get your kiddos laughing.

Must-Read #10 – How To Raise Monarch Butterflies

How To Raise Monarch Butterflies is a well-written and informative guide for how to raise monarch butterflies. Learn about the incredible transformation of a monarch butterfly from caterpillar to chrysalis, their incredible migration, and the needs they have along the way. This book is an excellent place to start if you’re considering hatching monarchs or creating a butterfly garden.

What children’s books about butterflies did I forget? Did I include your favorite butterfly book?

There you have it. Those were my top 12 children’s books about butterflies.

Please comment with your favorite must-have butterfly book for kids. And, if you’re looking for some more butterfly life cycle activities, check out these 7 simple butterfly life cycle activities.

Don’t forget to grab the free butterfly cut-and-paste worksheets.

Grab your free butterfly cut-and-paste worksheets below. Label the body parts of a caterpillar and butterfly or label the stages of a butterfly’s life cycle.

Enter your email below, and I’ll send the worksheets straight to your inbox. (Your personal email is best since many school districts block outside attachments.)