Velma Gratch and the Way Cool Butterfly

Illustrated by Kevin Hawkes
Look inside

It's hard to be Velma, the littlest Gratch, entering the first grade. That's because everyone has marvelous memories of her two older sisters, who were practically perfect first graders. Poor Velma—people can barely remember her name. But all that changes on a class trip to the magnificent Butterfly Conservatory—a place neither of her sisters has ever been. When a monarch roosts on Velma's finger and won't budge for days . . . well, no one will forget Velma ever again. Acclaimed and bestselling illustrator Kevin Hawkes and author Alan Madison celebrate everything butterfly—from migration to metamorphosis. Watch as Velma Gratch metamorphosizes from a timid first grader into a confident young scientist!

Kevin Hawkes is the author and illustrator of The Wicked Big Toddlah and The Wicked Big Toddlah Goes to New York, and is the illustrator of many well-loved books for young readers including Imagine That:! How Dr. Seuss Wrote the Cat in the Hat, Library Lion, My Little Sister Ate One Hare, My Little Sister Hugged an Ape, And to Think That We Thought That We'd Never Be Friends, The Road to OzVelma Gratch, and The Way Cool Butterfly. He lives in Gorham, Maine. View titles by Kevin Hawkes
  • WINNER | 2007
    School Library Journal Best Book of the Year
  • NOMINEE
    ALA Alex Award
  • NOMINEE
    California Young Reader Medal
  • NOMINEE
    Indiana Young Hoosier Award
  • NOMINEE
    Maryland Black-Eyed Susan Award
  • NOMINEE
    Nebraska Golden Sower Award
  • NOMINEE
    New York State Charlotte Award

About

It's hard to be Velma, the littlest Gratch, entering the first grade. That's because everyone has marvelous memories of her two older sisters, who were practically perfect first graders. Poor Velma—people can barely remember her name. But all that changes on a class trip to the magnificent Butterfly Conservatory—a place neither of her sisters has ever been. When a monarch roosts on Velma's finger and won't budge for days . . . well, no one will forget Velma ever again. Acclaimed and bestselling illustrator Kevin Hawkes and author Alan Madison celebrate everything butterfly—from migration to metamorphosis. Watch as Velma Gratch metamorphosizes from a timid first grader into a confident young scientist!

Author

Kevin Hawkes is the author and illustrator of The Wicked Big Toddlah and The Wicked Big Toddlah Goes to New York, and is the illustrator of many well-loved books for young readers including Imagine That:! How Dr. Seuss Wrote the Cat in the Hat, Library Lion, My Little Sister Ate One Hare, My Little Sister Hugged an Ape, And to Think That We Thought That We'd Never Be Friends, The Road to OzVelma Gratch, and The Way Cool Butterfly. He lives in Gorham, Maine. View titles by Kevin Hawkes

Awards

  • WINNER | 2007
    School Library Journal Best Book of the Year
  • NOMINEE
    ALA Alex Award
  • NOMINEE
    California Young Reader Medal
  • NOMINEE
    Indiana Young Hoosier Award
  • NOMINEE
    Maryland Black-Eyed Susan Award
  • NOMINEE
    Nebraska Golden Sower Award
  • NOMINEE
    New York State Charlotte Award

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