Monarch butterflies may be the most recognizable insect in North America. And their life cycle is a wondrous story of metamorphosis and migration. But their numbers are in decline, largely because of loss of habitat and the plants they depend on for survival. In this book, join twins Esmeralda and Santos as they learn about how monarch butterflies survive in their home in the Midwest and in their relative's homeland in central Mexico. Along the way, you can discover ways that YOU can help protect the monarch habitat in your own yard! Authors - Tom J. McConnell & Ashley Owens Illustrations by Allison Smiley, Jillian Spangler & Sunnie Berning Art Direction - Barbara Giorgio-Booher Photography - Abbey Jessup Graphic Design - Alyssa Shoults Promotional Design - Sara Misak Content Consultants - Cheryl LeBlanc & Erica Forstater, Ball State University; the Indianapolis Zoo Meet the entire team at the Midwest II Series page |
Esmeralda and Santos found some colorful caterpillars in the flower garden at home. Their Mamá says they are monarch caterpillars. They've heard about monarchs, and they want to know more.
Join them as they meet Cheryl and Erica at the greenhouse who are helping monarchs at the nature center. Then follow them to Mexico to see where monarchs go in the winter! |
LEARNING LINKS
Conservation Tales: Monarch Butterflies
Featured Activity - Royal Butterfly Family card game - Practice identifying and matching the different phases of a butterfly's life cycle to the correct members of the butterfly "royal family."
Other Activities
Conservation Tales: Monarch Butterflies
Featured Activity - Royal Butterfly Family card game - Practice identifying and matching the different phases of a butterfly's life cycle to the correct members of the butterfly "royal family."
Other Activities
- Identify a Butterfly - Can you tell between a male and female monarch butterfly? In this activity you will use key identifiers used by scientists to tell which is which.
- Butterfly Life Cycles – Let's hunt for butterflies, caterpillars, and chrysalis around your home in this scavenger hunt to understand the life cycle.
- Mapping Butterflies - Use the iNaturalist app to look at a map of your city or state to see where your favorite butterflies have been seen!
Supporting Partners