In honor of International Nature Journaling Week, Gia and I are all a-flutter to share our review of MONARCH AND MOURNING CLOAK: A BUTTERFLY JOURNAL. Thanks to Barbara Fisch of Blue Slip Media for sharing a copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Everyone is familiar with butterflies yet how much do we really know about them? Here are some key facts gleaned from Stewart’s and Brannen’s letter to readers which precedes this captivating butterfly journal filled with exuberant poems and enticing artwork.
- More than 18,000 species of butterflies live on Earth today.
- All species have the same basic body features and lifestyle.
- Each species have its own special way of surviving.
With tens of thousands of species to choose from, Stewart and Brannen compare and contrast a monarch and a mourning cloak. I like the juxtaposition, for while both species are common through North America, a monarch is more well known with its vibrant color than the muted mourning cloak.
The journal format allows readers to access knowledge on both species through a variety of entry points. Stewart’s concise poems are carefully composed with sensory words and alliteration to teach content. Brannen’s delicate and detailed artwork include either labels or captions explaining facts about each butterfly. All living things are identified with their common name and scientific name. Illustrations of physical techniques like tape, pins, and writing tools authenticate the journal making it jump off the page.
Returning to their letter to readers, I love how Stewart and Brannen share how revision, a step not frequently shown in a published book is revealed. As seen in the page spread below, Stewart’s final poems rests on layers of paper and Brennan consciously draws and erases sketches of some of her illustrations.
The front and back endpapers are cleverly utilized to share facts about the monarch and mourning cloak through a diagram with labels, a map, and the life cycle. Back matter is abundant with guidance on journaling, creating a sketchbook, butterfly notes as well as additional multimedia sources.
Check out these two gorgeous videos created by Sarah S. Brannen!
A downloadable nature journal can be found at this link.
Beagles & Books 