Butterfly for a King

Saving Hawaiʻi’s Kamehameha Butterflies
By Cindy Trumbore, Susan L. Roth
Hardcover: $21.95

The fascinating true story of a beautiful native Hawaiian butterfly, a great Hawaiian warrior king, and current-day efforts by scientists and citizens to restore the butterfly’s declining population.

Description

The beautiful Kamehameha butterfly lives in Hawaii and nowhere else on Earth. Named to honor the great king who united the Hawaiian Islands, the butterfly is one of only two species native to Hawaii.

After the Kamehameha butterfly became the state insect–thanks to a group of fifth graders–people noticed that the butterflies were disappearing. So a team of dedicated professional and citizen scientists began working together to restore the butterfly’s natural habitat and reintroduce butterflies in places where they were once found.

From the Sibert Medal-winning team that created Parrots Over Puerto Rico comes another nature adventure. Discover the captivating story of the Kamehameha butterfly and the people all around Hawaii who are helping it survive.

About the Creators

Cindy Trumbore

Cindy Trumbore has been involved with young people's literature for most of her career. A former editor in children's book publishing, she now writes children's books, edits books for classrooms, and teaches writing. She has collaborated with her friend Susan L. Roth on several award-winning titles, including Parrots Over Puerto Rico, which won the Robert F. Sibert Medal for Nonfiction; The Mangrove Tree; Prairie Dog Song, and most recently Butterfly for a King. She lives with her husband in Delaware. You can visit her online at cindykane.net.

Susan L. Roth
Susan L. Roth

Susan L. Roth's vibrant mixed-media collage illustrations have appeared in numerous outstanding picture books, including Parrots Over Puerto Rico, winner of the Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Medal; Prairie Dog Song; The Mangrove Tree; and most recently Every Month Is a New Year and Malala Yousafzai: Warrior with Words. Roth and her husband live in New York. Visit her online at susanlroth.com.

Awards

  • AAAS/Subaru SB&F Prize for Excellence in Science Books

    American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)

  • Orbis Pictus Award for Outstanding Nonfiction Recommended

    National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE)

  • Junior Library Guild Selection

    Junior Library Guild

  • Best Children's Books of the Year

    Bank Street College of Education

  • Cook Prize Honor

    Bank Street College of Education

  • Green Earth Book Award

    The Nature Generation

  • Best of the Best Books

    Chicago Public Library

  • Delaware Diamonds Awards 2022

    Diamond State Literacy Association

  • Eureka! Nonfiction Children's Book Award Honor

    California Reading Association

  • Virginia Readers' Choice Elementary List 2022-2023

    Virginia State Literacy Association

  • Outstanding Achievement in Children's Literature Winner

    Wisconsin Library Association

  • Outstanding Achievement in Children's Literature Winner

    Wisconsin Library Association

Reviews

  • * "A triumph; highly recommended for all libraries."

    - School Library Journal
  • * "A beautiful story beautifully told."

    - Booklist
  • "A beautifully illustrated account of both a butterfly and the people who worked to save it."

    - Kirkus Reviews
  • "An eco-conscious narrative suited to invigorating older children's own activist efforts."

    - Publishers Weekly

Hardcover

  • ISBN 9781620149713
  • Publication Date Feb 09, 2021
  • Trim Size 10.75 × 9 in
  • Weight 1.0625 lbs
  • Page Count 48
  • Interests

  • Audience Children
  • BISAC Category 1 JNF / Animals / Butterflies, Moths & Caterpillars
  • BISAC Category 2 JNF / Animals / Animal Welfare
  • BISAC Category 3 JNF / Science & Nature / Environmental Science & Ecosystems
  • Themes Animal / Biodiversity / Plant Adaptations, Animals, Asian / Asian American / AAPI, Collaboration, Environment / Nature, Human Impact On Environment / Environmental Sustainability, Indigenous / First Nations / Native American, Informational / Expository Nonfiction, Kindness / Caring, Nature / Science, Nonfiction, Poetry, Responsibility, Social Justice & Activism, STEM / STEAM
  • Reading Levels

  • Age Range Ages 8 - 12
  • Grade Range Grades 3 - 7
  • Guided Reading R
  • ATOS Book Level 5.4
  • DRA 40
  • Reading Level 4
  • Bebop Reading Fluent
  • This Book is Included in These Collections:

    • 93
      Nonfiction Grades 3-6
      Collection of 93 books: $1,227.35