McCloskey, Kevin. Caterpillars: What Will I Be When I Get to Be Me? Kevin McCloskey, Illus. Toon Into Reading Level 1: Giggle and Learn. Toon/Astra, 07/2023. 34pp. Nonfiction. Trade $13.99. 978-1-6626-6508-0. GRADES Kindergarten–5. HIGH ADDITIONAL.
The process by which caterpillars morph into moths or butterflies is explained simply but clearly, in a way that will appeal to a wide age range. Formatted like a comic book or graphic novel, the acrylic and gouache full-color paintings are set on a variety of colored paper backgrounds, showing children of various ethnicities interacting with caterpillars. The text uses just a sentence or two per spread but is augmented by dialogue balloons, explaining concepts such as the difference between a chrysalis and a cocoon. There are also simple diagrams of the body parts of caterpillars and butterflies. Even though this is part of the Toon Books series of graphic beginning readers, it may be most useful if shelved with the nonfiction butterfly books.
Penny Peck—SJSU iSchool