Handle with Care: An Unusual Butterfly Journey

Handle with Care follows the journey of butterflies from a farm in Costa Rica to their arrival at the Museum of Science in Boston. Through text and photographs, the book documents the process of raising, packing, and shipping these delicate insects. The narrative explains the work done at El Bosque Nuevo butterfly farm, where farmers tend to the creatures through their life cycles. Readers see the practical aspects of butterfly farming, including the methods used to protect chrysalises during their transformation and transport. The book presents facts about butterfly metamorphosis alongside details about the global butterfly trade and conservation efforts. Behind-the-scenes glimpses into both the farming operation and museum facilities reveal the care required at each step. This non-fiction work connects themes of nature, commerce, and scientific education while highlighting the relationships between distant communities linked by these remarkable insects.

Readers appreciate the detailed photographs showing the complete butterfly farming process and life cycle. Parents and teachers note the book works well for grades 1-4, engaging children while teaching science concepts. Multiple reviewers highlight how the Costa Rica setting adds cultural learning alongside the nature education. Readers like: - Clear explanations of complex concepts for young readers - Robert Marstall's close-up photography - Information about butterfly farming as a sustainable business Readers dislike: - Some find the text too advanced for very young children - A few note the book could include more butterfly species Ratings: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (188 ratings) Amazon: 4.7/5 (21 ratings) One teacher reviewer states: "My second graders were fascinated by the farm workers collecting butterfly pupae and shipping them worldwide." Several parent reviews mention the book inspired their children to learn more about butterfly gardens and conservation.

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🦋 Author Loree Griffin Burns traveled to Costa Rica's El Bosque Nuevo butterfly farm to document the fascinating process of raising and shipping live butterflies. 🦋 The blue morpho butterfly, featured in the book, is one of the largest butterflies in the world with a wingspan that can reach up to 8 inches. 🦋 Professional butterfly farms like El Bosque Nuevo ship approximately 10 million butterfly pupae worldwide each year for butterfly exhibitions and educational purposes. 🦋 The book received the 2015 AAAS/Subaru SB&F Prize for Excellence in Science Books in the Children's Science Picture Book category. 🦋 The photography in the book was done by Ellen Harasimowicz, who has collaborated with Burns on multiple award-winning children's science books, including "The Hive Detectives" and "Tracking Trash."