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The Moon of the Monarch Butterflies
- Narrated by: Barbara Caruso
- Length: 33 mins
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Follow the monarch butterfly as it chases spring north from its winter home in Mexico to its birthplace in Ontario, Canada. Flying through unpredictable spring weather, the butterfly lays its eggs along the way. The young monarch finally emerges from its chrysalis in late May - during the moon of the monarch butterflies.
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What listeners say about The Moon of the Monarch Butterflies
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- tru britty
- 06-13-20
A Genius of Nature Writing
Believe it or not, I've never read a book by Jean Craighead George. Not even My Side of the Mountain.
This short story about the life cycle of a monarch butterfly, The Moon of the Monarch Butterflies, was my introduction to George who must be counted as one of the best nature writers for kids--or adults for that matter.
This monarch is one of those born just before the chill winds of fall. The butterflies born then have an extraordinarily long lifespan, some six months, which they devote to flight. Flying from their birthplace in Canada south to Mexico, then back again in May. I never really thought about it. but our butterfly on her return journey looks a little shabbier, her wings having lost scales (and thus iridescence) and perhaps picked up some tears.
The storyline jumps around a bit. But the hopscotching is worth it because George zooms in on various other species--rabbits, chipmunks, foxes--and their preoccupations at that time of year. Her writing is lively and expressive so that flowers and grasses come alive under her pen and the private lives of animals inhabit your imagination.
After reading this book, I immediately downloaded an audiobook by David Attenborough, who also turns a poet-scientist's eye to nature, and was wracking my brain for other authors who might fit the bill. Edward Abbey? Rachel Carson? Charles Darwin? (If you write a review, can you list some suggestions?)
I love the narrator Barbara Caruso. Although I remember reading another reviewer who complained she had the voice of a smoker. Don't know about that. But it adds a pleasing warmth to this title.
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