FICTION

Coco and the Caterpillars

by Geraldo Valério (text) & illus. by Geraldo Valério
Groundwood. Apr. 2024. 40p. Tr $19.99. ISBN 9781773067988.
COPY ISBN
PreS-Gr 2–Bright illustrations done in collage, acrylic paint, and color pencil capture the enthusiasm of a young boy and his chicken friend Coco. Coco is on the hunt for food of any kind as the boy discovers six eggs on a leafy plant. Soon they hatch into monarch caterpillars and the anticipation for their transformation is evident in the text and the boy’s attentiveness. Unfortunately he leaves the growing caterpillars unsupervised and the ever-hungry Coco devours four of them. Two of the caterpillars do survive and the story ends with their metamorphosis into beautiful butterflies.
VERDICT The eye-catching illustrations will engage young readers and while the life cycle of a monarch butterfly is not newly covered ground, this version will be appreciated in collections seeking an update. Recommended.
Reviewed by John Scott , Jun 28, 2024

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