Pretty fun story about a kid who is trying to live up to her big sisters' reputations, gets into trouble, and then finds her own bliss in a butterfly. Sibling relationships, butterfly knowledge, going to school, finding a passion of your own -- a lot going on in a good picture book. ( )

This adorable children's picture book teaches a lesson about self-acceptance with a little science mixed in. Velma Gratch is so worried about being remembered like her older sisters, that she ends up being remembered in a negative way. This changes when she sets her focus to science, the study of butterflies, and learning new big words like metamorphosis, conservatory, and migration. This is a beautifully illustrated picture book that would make the perfect mentor text for a lesson on butterflies in science. ( )

This book was "way cool" in several ways. On one hand, it addressed how the caboose of a family can often feel overshadowed by their older siblings. This book can help children understand that that's normal, and eventually they will find their identity outside of their family. Secondly, this book talked about the different types of butterflies and their migration patterns. I think this would be a wonderful book to read during an insect unit plan. Lastly, the illustrations were lovely, especially the butterflies throughout the book with their names listed next to them. ( )

Velma Gratch and the Way Cool Butterfly, by Alan Madison, tells the story of a young first grader trying to find her place. When her class begins to learn about butterflies and takes a trip to the conservatory, she finds her way to be remembered. The colorful illustrations and interesting way Madison tells this story captures readers and allows for them too to become entranced with butterflies. An acceptable read for PreK-3rd-grade students can all find this book comical, informational, and entertaining. A great source to get children interested in science and the topic of metamorphosis and monarch migration. ( )

I took this book originally because of the beautiful cover. the illustrations are so pretty. Velma is nervous about going to first grade. both of her older sisters are well remembered in the school for their skills and talent. How can Velma compete with that? Velma does a project in science about Monarch butterflies and when all the butterflies go loose Velma is noticed by everyone in class. I recently watched a documentary of the Monarch butterflies and how they migrate from Arizona to Texas and then arrive in Michoacán, Mexico where they breed and rest from the cold in the north. ( )