Little ones books about science: "Caterpillar to Butterfly" and "Caterpillar & Bean: A First Science Storybook" [Review & Giveaway]

The World around us is one great big universal science lab. Your kiddies should be introduced to the science of this world in all its beauty and glory. They should begin early to engage mentally, visually, and physically with the science of the World.

Let's start with caterpillars and let our kiddies have fun while learning.

Caterpillar to Butterfly: Fold Out and Find Out by Frances Barry (Novelty Book ISBN: 9780763642617)

My thoughts:  Candlewick Press' novelty board book brings very young children the world of the developing caterpillar and the plant world in which it grows and exists until it is finally freed to fly away as a lovely butterfly.

This shaped book has a sturdy cover and the pages inside unfurl into a "flower" taking the developing caterpillar from petal to petal on a journey populated with wonderful insects and flowers.

A fun, entertaining, educational book to enchant youngsters.

I recommend.

About the book: How does a caterpillar become a butterfly? Open out the petal-shaped pages, one by one, and watch a transformation unfold.

First there’s a tiny egg on a leaf, then a caterpillar hatching, just big enough to see. Look at the caterpillar munching away, growing and shedding layers of skin so it can grow some more. Follow as it spins a thread into a green and golden chrysalis, hanging in the sun. Are you ready to see a glorious transformation when all the page turns are done? Cleverly leading readers through each stage of the caterpillar’s life cycle, Caterpillar to Butterfly is sure to set curiosity into flight.

Caterpillar and Bean: A First Science Storybook by Martin Jenkins. illustrated by Hannah Tolson (ISBN: 9781536201703)

My thoughts: The simply told story of a bean seed and a caterpillar and the life cycle of each has bright, colorful illustrations to engage the child visually and mentally. The story also shows subtly how caterpillar and bean interact in nature. Simple illustrations portray the bean as it sprouts and grows bursting from the skin on the bean, pushing roots out, and developing leaves and the butterfly  through its various developmental stages from egg deposited on the leaf to butterfly emerging from the chrysalis.

What I found interesting, too, is that the author and artist convey the caterpillar's need for the bean plant. Also, the bean plant's ability to grow new leaves after the caterpillar eats lots of leaves.

The depiction of the life cycle of the two - insect and plant is very well done and quite educational for the young reader or listener.

I recommend.

About the book: Observe the ways plants and insects interact in a gentle introduction to growing for budding scientists.

What’s that wedged in a crack in the ground, small and hard and wrinkly and brown? A bean seed! Soon it develops roots and leaves. And what’s that on the leaf? An egg! The egg hatches a caterpillar, and the caterpillar eats the leaves, getting bigger and bigger until it forms a chrysalis. Meanwhile, the plant is growing, too: it develops flowers, then bean pods, as it reaches up toward the sun. Side by side, plant and insect grow . . . and grow . . . and grow throughout the year, until they come full circle. This fourth book in the First Science Storybook series uses simple, clear language and colorful illustrations to inspire very young readers as they learn about life cycles.

GIVEAWAY

2 books for 2 winners

Begins Aug. 3

Ends August 31 at 12:01 a.m. EDT

Open to USA and CANADA addresses.

NO P.O. BOXES, PLEASE

(Canada winners must provide phone #)

a Rafflecopter giveaway
DISCLOSURE: I was provided a complimentary copy of the reviewed books to facilitate a review. Opinions are mine alone, and are freely given. Winner's prize is provided and shipped directly to the winner by Candlewick.