Waiting For Wings

Waiting For Wings

Author: Lois Ehlert

Genre: Fiction

Grade Level: Grades Pre-K-2

Year Published: 2001

Summary

This is a story of caterpillar eggs and their journey through life until they become butterflies. It describes the eggs, the caterpillars, and the cocoon and butterflies in child-friendly language. The ending of the book also tells about the lifestyles of butterflies, and what their daily activities are. The illustrations throughout the book are vivid, and are attention-grabbing for any young child.  

About the Author

Lois Ehlert currently resides in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She is the author of many children's books, and has become a beloved author in classrooms throughout the country. Some of her published books include Chicka Chicka Boom Boom, Cooking Vegetable Soup, and Red Leaf, Yellow Leaf. Her book, Color Zoo, has won a Caldecott Medal. 

Source:http://authors.simonandschuster.com/Lois-Ehlert/1877089

How to Use it 

Pre-Reading: The teacher will discuss with the class where they have seen caterpillars and where they have seen butterflies, and will talk with the class about how caterpillars change into butterflies, and how the book they are going to read will explain to them how that happens, and what caterpillars do to prepare for the change, and what butterflies do after they emerge from the cocoon. The students could also, as a whole group, construct a KWL chart involving butterflies. 

Post-Reading: Something as simple as creating their own butterfly as an art center is an option for a post-reading activity.  A more in-depth option could be providing the class with  caterpillars, and watching the process of the caterpillars changing into butterflies. The kids would get a hands-on experience with the life cycle of butterflies.

 

What do I Think?

I think that this is a valuable book. The illustrations are beautiful, and I think it provides a simple illustration of the life cycle of a butterfly. It is definitely geared towards younger children, and its simple language is something that younger students can understand. I do know that the second graders in the school that I work in do a unit on butterflies. I think that this book would add to their unit, and also inspire students artistically.