Butterflies are pretty gross by Rosemary Mosco, illustrated by Jacob Souva

  This cheerful picture book takes readers into the grosser aspects of butterfly habits, habitats, and life cycles. I love Mosco's art and cartoons, so I was a little disappointed that she wrote, but did not illustrate this title.

This is introduced in the now-popular interactive style of picture book, with a butterfly narrator warning readers of gross revelations if they continue to turn the pages after the initial introduction of butterflies as pretty, fluttering creatures against a pink sunset. Souva's collage-like illustrations show bright patches of color, big circular eyes, and a smiling mouth as the butterfly warns readers repeatedly about the real truth about butterflies, which will be revealed once they read on.

Seen through binoculars, which show the butterflies in large circles, the dreadful truth is revealed. Butterflies can be gross! They eat rotten fruit and dead animals, can be drab or camouflaged like leaves, or even make cracking sounds with their wings. Still willing to read on? The butterfly narrator pops back up with an old-fashioned slide projector and readers follow the progress of shape-shifting butterflies as they transform from caterpillars to butterflies, silly shots of spear-wielding carnivorous caterpillars, and a whole string of film showing a caterpillar disguises itself as an ant.

Still reading? Follow the narrator behind a top secret office door to find illustrations taped against the "wall" like photographs of butterflies with butts that look like heads, butterflies tasting with their feet, and some of that food they're tasting... is poop! The conclusion is that butterflies are complicated - and beautiful - just like humans. The final spread shows a group of children playing as butterflies flit past and the narrator purchases on the book a dark-skinned child is reading. Seven butterflies are described in more detail in the back.

This would work as a fun read-aloud for older children, who can sit still through the longer text, and also for elementary readers to tackle on their own. It's an informative and unique look at butterflies that goes beyond their outward appearance.

Verdict: Although the cartoon pictures and lack of back matter takes this out of the equation for research projects, it's an ideal book for kids interested in learning more about butterflies or who like a fun insect story. Recommended.

ISBN: 9780735265929; Published April 2021 by Tundra; Purchased for the library