33 Books About Butterflies: Picture Books, Read Aloud, Nonfiction, Fiction

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Learn about the best children’s books about butterflies, including books about butterflies for toddlers, preschoolers, kindergarteners, first and second graders. Many of these best butterfly books for kids would be great butterfly books to read aloud, and some of them are award-winning picture books about butterflies. There are also butterfly life cycle books on this list, as well as fiction books about butterflies. Some of the titles are new, many are classics.

As the librarian at five different elementary schools, I have access to five different library collections, each with different butterfly book titles on the shelves. Many of these books are on the shelves at the libraries where I work, and some are on my butterfly book wish list. If you are studying the topic of butterflies with a class of kids, or you know someone who needs some excellent butterfly books to enjoy, this list of best books about butterflies, both fiction and nonfiction, is for you. Butterflies also make a great party theme. (Get some free butterfly invitations.) Let’s get started!

best books about butterflies for kids blue butterfly with book covers

How to Use this List

The first part of this list is organized by age and grade level. Further on down, I have the books divided into categories, such as Picture Books About Butterflies, Life Cycle Books About Butterflies, and Nonfiction Books About Butterflies. You get the idea. You may see a book on the list of Preschool Books About Butterflies that also appears on the list of Picture Books About Butterflies. That will let you know that the book is a great butterfly book for preschoolers as well as an excellent picture book about butterflies. For the butterfly books listed under the headings of Fiction and Nonfiction, I put an approximate age range. Enjoy perusing the list!

books about butterflies library book covers

My Butterfly Books Backstory

The perennial plants in my backyard in Oregon attract many butterflies. Some of the butterfly favorites seem to be the red hot poker plants and of course the butterfly bush. The butterflies that visit my garden add a variety of color and interest, and I’m so happy they like to flutter around for a while.

best butterfly books butterfly on a butterfly bush

The study of butterflies makes a fascinating science unit for kids, and many teachers requested butterfly books for the school libraries. This list is as much for me as for you. There are new butterfly books being released every year, and I want to keep the school libraries updated as much as my library budget will allow. Let’s explore the list!

***Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links, which means I earn from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you.*** Already know what you’d like to get from Amazon? Here’s a handy way to get to the website, linked to an amazing book for kids who are butterfly fans. Just click on the link, then browse around and do your shopping.

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Books About Butterflies for Toddlers

Here are some of the best butterfly books for toddlers:

 butterfly books for kids becoming a butterfly

Little Kids First Board Book: Becoming a Butterfly by Ruth A Musgrave – The butterfly life cycle is detailed with colorful photographs and simple, engaging text. New for 2023!

Ten Little Caterpillars by Bill Martin Jr. – This book follows ten little caterpillars as they explore the world around them and eventually transform into butterflies.

Butterfly, Butterfly by Petr Horacek – This book features beautiful illustrations and a simple story about a butterfly exploring the garden.

The Butterfly Garden by Laura Weston – This book is a touch-and-feel board book that allows toddlers to explore different textures while learning about butterflies.

Flutterby Butterfly: A Slide-and-Seek Book by Emma Parrish – This interactive board book features sliding panels that reveal hidden surprises as toddlers learn about the life cycle of a butterfly.

Little Butterfly Finger Puppet Book by ImageBooks – This adorable board book includes a finger puppet that allows toddlers to interact with the story and learn about the butterfly’s transformation.

These butterfly books are perfect for toddlers, with simple text and engaging illustrations that capture their attention and spark their curiosity about the natural world.

Preschool Books About Butterflies

Here are some of the best butterfly books for preschoolers:

butterfly books for kids butterfly alphabet book

The Butterfly Alphabet Book by Jerry Pallotta – This book combines science and language arts, introducing preschoolers to the alphabet and different types of butterflies.

Waiting for Wings by Lois Ehlert – This book features colorful collages and simple text that explains the life cycle of a butterfly, from egg to butterfly.

National Geographic Little Kids First Big Book of Bugs by Catherine D. Hughes – This book includes information about different types of bugs, including butterflies, and is filled with stunning photographs and fun facts.

The Very Impatient Caterpillar by Ross Burach – This humorous book follows a caterpillar who is impatient to become a butterfly and learns the importance of patience.

Monarch and Milkweed by Helen Frost – This book tells the story of the relationship between monarch butterflies and milkweed plants and is filled with beautiful illustrations and poetic language.

These butterfly books for preschoolers are a great way to introduce young children to the world of butterflies and inspire their curiosity about the natural world.

Books About Butterflies for Kindergarteners

Here are some of the best butterfly books for kindergarteners:

butterfly books for kids butterfly book

The Life Cycle of a Butterfly by Bobbie Kalman – This book provides a detailed look at the life cycle of a butterfly, with colorful illustrations and easy-to-understand text.

Gotta Go! Gotta Go! by Sam Swope – This book tells the story of a young migrating butterfly who needs to find its way to Mexico, and is filled with vibrant illustrations and engaging text.

From Caterpillar to Butterfly by Deborah Heiligman – This book provides a detailed look at the transformation of a caterpillar into a butterfly, with stunning photographs and informative text.

Butterfly House by Eve Bunting – This book tells the story of a young girl who raises and releases butterflies in her backyard, and is filled with beautiful illustrations and a heartwarming story.

Butterflies in Room 6: See How They Grow by Caroline Arnold – This book tells the true story of a kindergarten class that raises and releases butterflies, and includes detailed illustrations and informative text.

These kindergarten books about butterflies are a great way to provide a more in-depth look at the world of butterflies and inspire children’s curiosity and wonder about the natural world.

Books About Butterflies for First and Second Grade

Here are some of the best butterfly books for first and second grade students:

butterfly books for kids butterflies and moths book

Butterflies and Moths by Nic Bishop – This book includes stunning photographs and fascinating information about different types of butterflies and moths.

National Geographic Readers: Great Migrations Butterflies by Laura Marsh – This book includes information about butterfly migration, and is filled with stunning photographs and fun facts.

Are You a Butterfly? by Judy Allen – This book explores the life cycle of a butterfly, with detailed illustrations and engaging text.

A Butterfly Is Patient by Dianna Hutts Aston – This book includes beautiful illustrations and poetic language that explores the world of butterflies, from egg to butterfly.

These butterfly books for first and second graders are a great way to provide more advanced information about butterflies and inspire a deeper understanding and appreciation of the natural world.

Picture Books about Butterflies

Here are some of the best picture books about butterflies:

butterfly books for kids very hungry caterpillar book

The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle – This classic picture book follows the story of a caterpillar who eats his way through various foods before transforming into a butterfly.

Butterfly Park by Elly MacKay – This beautifully illustrated book tells the story of a girl who creates a butterfly garden in the middle of the city, and inspires her neighbors to join in.

Butterfly, Butterfly by Petr Horacek – This book follows the story of a young girl who chases a butterfly through the garden, and is filled with bright, colorful illustrations. (This book is also included in the list of the best butterfly books for toddlers, above.)

Butterflies for Kiri by Cathryn Falwell – This book tells the story of a young girl who learns about the life cycle of a butterfly, with detailed illustrations and engaging text.

Waiting for Wings by Lois Ehlert – This book features colorful collages and simple text that explains the life cycle of a butterfly, from egg to butterfly. (This book is also included in the list of the best butterfly books for preschoolers, above.)

The Butterfly House by Katy Flint – This beautifully illustrated book explores the different types of butterflies and their habitats around the world.

These picture books about butterflies are a great way to introduce children to the beauty and wonder of these fascinating creatures.

Butterfly Life Cycle Books

Here are some of the best butterfly life cycle books for kids:

butterfly books for kids from caterpillar to butterfly book

From Caterpillar to Butterfly by Deborah Heiligman – This book provides a detailed look at the transformation of a caterpillar into a butterfly, with stunning photographs and informative text. (This book is also on the list of best butterfly books for kindergarteners.)

Butterfly Park by Elly MacKay – This beautifully illustrated book tells the story of a girl who creates a butterfly garden in the middle of the city, and inspires her neighbors to join in. (This book is also on the list of best picture books about butterflies.)

A Butterfly’s Life by Ellen Lawrence – This book provides a simple and informative introduction to the life cycle of butterflies, with colorful illustrations and easy-to-understand text.

National Geographic Kids: Caterpillar to Butterfly by Laura Marsh – This book provides an introduction to the life cycle of butterflies, with stunning photographs and fascinating facts about their behavior and habitat.

The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle – This classic picture book follows the story of a caterpillar who eats his way through various foods before transforming into a butterfly. (This book is also on the list of best picture books about butterflies.)

These butterfly life cycle books for kids are a great way to introduce young readers to the stages of a butterfly’s transformation, while also providing engaging stories and colorful illustrations to keep them interested.

Read Aloud Books About Butterflies

Many of the previously noted titles would make great read aloud books about butterflies for kids. Here are a couple of the best read aloud books about butterflies that have not already been listed:

butterfly books for kids velma gratch book

Velma Gratch and the Way Cool Butterfly by Alan Madison – This book tells the story of a young girl who becomes obsessed with butterflies, and eventually makes a discovery that earns her the respect of her classmates.

Butterflies in the Garden by Carol Lerner – This book takes readers on a journey through a garden, introducing them to different types of butterflies and the plants that attract them, with beautiful illustrations and informative text.

These read-aloud books about butterflies are a great way to introduce kids to the fascinating world of these insects, while also providing engaging stories and colorful illustrations to keep them interested.

Nonfiction Books About Butterflies

Here are some of the best nonfiction books about butterflies for kids that have not been previously listed:

butterfly books for kids butterflies book

Butterflies (First Discovery Books) by Jeunesse Gallimard – This book is a great introduction to the world of butterflies, with interactive features like flaps and pop-ups, as well as detailed illustrations and text. Written for kids ages 3-5.

Butterflies! A My Incredible World Picture Book for Children – This book provides an introduction to the world of butterflies, with information on their life cycle, habitat, and behavior, as well as activities and fun facts. Part of the My Incredible World series for young kids.

Butterflies and Moths: Explore Nature with Fun Facts and Activities by DK – This book is a great resource for kids who are interested in butterflies and moths, with information on their behavior, habitat, and role in the ecosystem, as well as activities and experiments to try at home. For kids ages 6-8 years.

These nonfiction books about butterflies for kids are a great way to engage their curiosity and help them learn more about the natural world around them.

Fiction Books About Butterflies

Here are a couple of the best fiction books about butterflies for kids that have not been previously listed:

butterfly books for kids my name is butterfly book

My Name is Butterfly by Mary Ellen Ryall – This book tells the story of a young girl who discovers the magic of butterflies, and is filled with beautiful illustrations and a heartwarming story. Recommended for kids ages 3-7.

The Butterfly Lion by Michael Morpurgo – This book tells the story of a young boy who befriends a white lion and a mysterious woman who has a connection to butterflies, and is filled with adventure and excitement. Recommended for older elementary students.

These fiction books about butterflies for kids are a great way to spark their imagination and curiosity about the natural world, while also providing entertaining stories and relatable characters.

Free Bookmarks

four butterfly bookmarks for books about butterflies

If you are into all things butterfly-related, print out some free butterfly bookmarks. Let kids customize with colors of their own choosing to create one-of-a-kind masterpieces.

Get my free bookmarks!

Other Butterfly-Related Items

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Vintage butterfly design

 

Can’t get enough butterfly-related items in your life? Why stop at books and bookmarks? Get some unique butterfly creations and satisfy those cravings for all things butterfly.

Get more unique butterfly creations!

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