Synopses & Reviews
The story is told from the perspective of a young Beetle who, with his mother, meets a crowd of caterpillars in the garden they all frequent. Soon they become friends and he watches in awe as the caterpillars weave themselves into cocoons. A special one catches his attention and Beetle “adopts” it by making all sorts of plans of what they will do together when it hatches. Later, he watches as the cocoons break open one by one and beautiful butterflies emerge and fly away. But the one he counted on to be his playmate does not. He is deeply saddened and understandably confused. Beetles mother explains gently that young friends like his who cant join him in the garden are with others in the sky. The story ends with Beetle waving to his friend above and wishing happiness.
Review
PreS-Gr 2-A little beetle and his mother discover many yellow-and-black caterpillars on the leaves of a blueberry bush. They become friends, but soon the caterpillars disappear into white glistening cocoons. Little Beetle thinks of all the fun he will have when his friends become butterflies. One day they emerge from their cocoons, dance in the garden, and fly away. A single cocoon remains, and the little beetle names his butterfly-to-be Farfalla. When no butterfly emerges, Mother Beetle puts a leg around her son and gently explains, “Butterflies that are not born go to live with all other butterflies who die and fly up in the sky with the stars and the moon.” Three nighttime spreads reinforce this idea, as a shimmering yellow butterfly says goodbye to Little Beetle. The final spread shows him with the returning butterflies bright against the blue sky. The simple images in the full-color illustrations capture Little Beetles feelings of friendship, anticipation, disappointment, sorrow, and acceptance. Mother Beetles comforting presence will be mirrored by caring adults helping children who have experienced the loss of a lovingly anticipated sibling. However, the book will need adult explanation as many children are likely to be confused about what happened to Farfalla.-Mary Jean Smith, formerly at Southside Elementary School, Lebanon, TN Kid Lit Reviews
Synopsis
Farfalla (the Italian word for “butterfly”) is a unique look at the death of an unborn child.
Synopsis
Farfalla (the Italian word for “butterfly”) is a unique look at the death of an unborn child. This subject necessarily must be approached with a high degree of sensitivity. Yet, trying to understand the death of a sister- or brother-to-be is also not an unknown experience faced by many children. Adults struggle to explain how the gift of life can be taken away, sometimes without rhyme or reason. Inspired by experiences of the authors friends, Farfalla offers a way for adults to have that conversation with children. The story is told from the perspective of a young Beetle who, with his mother, meets a crowd of caterpillars in the garden they all frequent.
About the Author
Vanita Oelschlager is a wife, mother, grandmother, philanthropist, former teacher, current caregiver, author and poet. She is a graduate of Mt. Union College in Alliance, Ohio, where she currently serves as a Trustee. Vanita is also Writer in Residence for the Literacy Program at The University of Akron. She and her husband Jim received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Multiple Sclerosis Society in 2006. She won the Congressional ‘Angels in Adoption’ Award for the state of Ohio in 2007 and was named National Volunteer of the Year by the MS society in 2008. She was honored as 2009 Woman Philanthropist of the Year by the Summit County United Way. In May 2011, Vanita received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from University of Mount Union.
Prior to her publishing and writing career, Vanita taught school for 19 years and then helped her husband with his company, Oak Associates. Mother of two daughters, stepmother to a son and daughter, she is grandmother to seven.
Kristin Blackwood is a teacher and frequent illustrator of books for children. Her works of art are published in: My Grampy Can’t Walk, Let Me Bee, What Pet Will I Get?, Made in China, Big Blue, Ivy in Bloom and Ivan’s Great Fall, A Tale of Two Daddies, Bonyo Bonyo, Carrot, and Elefante. A graduate of Kent State University, Kristin has a degree in Art History. When she isn’t designing or teaching, she enjoys being a mother to her two daughters.