A Place for Butterflies

Book excerpt: Once abundant monarch butterflies are disappearing in the United States, but that's only part of the story. Many other butterfly species are also in trouble, and human action is often the cause of their plight. What can we do to help protect this important insect? In clear and compelling language, Melissa Stewart showcases twelve North American butterflies—from the familiar eastern tiger swallowtail to the rare Palos Verdes blue butterfly—and the ecosystems that support their survival. The simple narrative states the dangers that each of these butterfly populations face, and informative sidebars describe the efforts of people to save them. Featuring glorious full-color illustrations by Higgins Bond and range maps for each butterfly, this book is perfect for aspiring entomologists and conservationists. This nonfiction picture book is one of the six titles in the prize-winning A Place for... series, a collection that opens readers' minds to a wide range of environmental issues and shows how humans are striving to protect animals and their natural habitats.