Glasswings: A Butterfly’s Story

Yes, the book fosters development because students are learning about a real butterfly species (Glasswing butterflies) through this fictional story. In the beginning, the book educates students on the Glasswing butterflies and has a photograph of one. Students are also learning new information about how butterflies help the earth. There's a lot of questioning and critical thinking involved because students have to think about how the butterfly is going to survive in a city.

Author: Elisa Kleven
Illustrator: N/A
Year Published: 2013
ISBN: 0803737424

Summary

This book is about a butterfly that gets lost in a city, far from the blooming gardens and her family. With the help of her new friends, Claire is able to drink the nectar and pollinate lots of flowers. She's able to create a garden in the city which helps her family find her again.

Evaluation

Appropriateness: High
Authority: Medium
Accuracy: High
Liteary Artistry: High
Appearance: High

Questions

Does the book foster development of processes?

Does the book provide an opportunity for children to ask and answer their own questions?

In the beginning, the book gives a short introduction on Glasswinged butterflies and how they help plants and flowers. However, the book doesn't cover topics like the structure of butterflies and the process behind a caterpillar turning into a butterfly. Children might have to find additional resources to answer those types of questions.

Does the book encourage children to think for themselves?

The book does encourage children to think because they have to predict whether Claire will ever get home. Will she get home? If yes, how will she get home? Hence, teachers can create stopping points in the book to ask for predictions. Furthermore, she can ask students to relate to the main character on getting lost and missing her family. Children can also think about butterflies and their abilities to help flowers grow. The book doesn't ask questions but it does urge students to think about the importance of butterflies.

Is the science topic addressed in ways that are appropriate to the lesson?

The book is helpful for an introduction to butterflies and their usefulness. It's very appropriate for students as it creates a lesson for students to exercise their critical thinking skills and reflect on their knowledge of butterflies. This book is a useful educational tool!

Is the content based on sound scientific principles? Is it accurate?

The book doesn't go into details about Glasswing butterflies and their origins. However, the minimal information on butterflies is accurate and based on sound scientific principles. In the beginning, the author provides the readers with details about Glasswing butterflies and how they are different. The story shows the readers that butterflies are actually very useful for earth. I think the story could have been even better if the author had included more scientific terms, given more details about the pollination and how butterflies are able to help plants grow. I think the author didn't provide much background and focused more on the fictional story about Claire finding her family.

Does the book distinguish between fact and fiction?

The book is mainly fictional story about Claire, a butterfly who's lost in a city. However, the story incorporated a lot of facts about butterflies. The author emphasizes in the beginning that Claire isn't real however Glasswing butterflies are real. Butterflies can't talk and they can't communicate with other animals in English. Young readers might think that animals can speak English and the story of Claire getting lost is real. Hence, the author should have distinguished between fact and fiction better.

Are the illustrations clear and accurate?

The illustrations are very clear and accurate. The illustrations are my favorite part of the book because they are so colorful and vivid. There are a lot of a details incorporated in the book which I think helps readers feel like they are with the main character, Claire. The illustrations go along with the words on the page. Readers can easily follow the story through the illustrations.

Is the book written at the level of your students?

The book is going to be hard for kindergarten to read and I think they will need additional support. However, I think that students in all grades would significantly benefit from learning about butterflies and the different ways they help plants. The content and illustrations are appropriate for students too. Teachers can use this book for read aloud for lower grades. In upper grades, teachers can use this book as a resource for an independent project and/or as an informational guide.

Is there a multicultural component? Is it free from stereotyping?

There is no multicultural component. I think that it breaks the gender stereotype of girls being helpless. In this book, Claire is able to find her family by being determined and growing a lot of flowers.

Is the book free from gender bias?

The book's main character is a female butterfly. This could be seen as a gender bias since there are no males mentioned in the book.

Does the book show the close association between science and other disciplines?

The book does show an association with science by informing readers about a specific kind of butterfly and showing them a way butterflies helps plants grow. It's also a fictional book because the characters are talking and they have a personality. The book has a moral lesson which encourages students to make the best of situations.

Does the book present a positive attitude toward science and technology?

There's no usage of technology in this book. Earth science is positively portrayed in this book. The illustrations and the story of a lost butterfly keep the readers interested in the process of plant growth and the survival of butterflies. I think the author cleverly incorporated details about butterflies into a fictional story and made it very interesting to read.

Science Topics

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