Author: Tom McWhirter

ISBN: 978-0-976853-0-7

Publisher: Chupp Road Press

You Can Purchase This Book From Amazon

Editors and authors of children’s literature know that every story has a hidden “take away” value. That value, although never obviously stated, can make or break a story. Tom McWhirter’s Do You Know Why Butterflies Fly? forces the take away value to the front of the story, which is a bit unusual. His story is meant to encourage children to have faith in them themselves and to be brave enough to be themselves. I think he succeeds.

The rhyming verse introduces us to an old butterfly who takes us into his confidence, “Do you know why butterflies fly?” Well, it’s not just because they’re supposed to… The truth is, just as the butterfly must change, so must we, sometimes. It takes courage and faith for the caterpillar to transform into a beautiful butterfly and take wing on the wind. Mary Meade’s beautiful illustrations are lovely and adults reading the book will appreciate his message, even if the children don’t catch on right away. I think most children will ask questions, which is always good.

Often, the author’s forced rhymes are uncomfortable to read. A few rough spots are distracting enough to confuse children, whether listening or reading. Nor does the author’s prose stick to a familiar rhythm, and that’s important in a children’s book—the best stories just roll off your tongue, and this one doesn’t. Having said that, remember that children are forgiving. They don’t care if you mess up a few spots. In the end, the message is most important and you might decide that this story’s worth the extra effort. Just answer their questions and read it again.

The above review was contibuted by: Susan Sales Harkins: Susan is a Software consultant and the author of several articles and books on database technologies. She and her husband, William, collaborate on children's non-fiction. Click Here to read more of Susan’s Reviews