Butterfly Books for Preschoolers

Teach children about amazing butterflies with these super cute, fun-to-read butterfly books. These butterfly books for preschoolers, toddlers, kindergartners, grade 1, grade 2, and grade 3 books allow children to learn about the fascinating metamorphosis that takes place when they change from caterpillar to winged insects!

Butterfly Books for Preschoolers

There is something almost magical about watching caterpillars change into butterflies. This list of butterfly books for preschoolers teaches kids about the incredible metamorphosis that butterflies make, as well as interesting facts about caterpillars and butterflies.

butterfly books

Caterpillar to Butterfly was written by Melissa Stewart. This board book from the American Museum of Natural History uses simple text and large, clear photographs to show the journey from caterpillar to butterfly.

The Very Hungry Caterpillar was written and illustrated by Eric Carle. This classic story follows a hungry caterpillar as he wakes up and eats his way through all kinds of foods, eventually turning into a beautiful butterfly. Kids love the brightly colored illustrations while adults appreciate the introduction to early concepts.

How Does a Caterpillar Change? was written and illustrated by Eric Carle. This small board book uses the same illustrations style and simple text as “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” to teach young kids about the life cycle of a caterpillar.

Explore My World: Butterflies was written by Marfe Ferguson Delano. This nonfiction book introduces young readers to butterflies with tons of interesting facts and brightly colored photographs.

Preschool Butterfly Books

My, Oh My — A Butterfly! All about Butterflies was written by Tish Rabe and illustrated by Aristides Ruiz and Joe Mathieu. This fun book follows Sally, Dick, and the Cat in the Hat as they watch a caterpillar transform into a butterfly. The text introduces readers to the life cycle of butterflies, and shares information about their diets and their migration.

Pete the Cat and the Cool Caterpillar was written by James Dean and illustrated by Kimberly Dean. In this cute story, Pete the Cat befriends a caterpillar. But when his new friend goes missing, Pete has to figure out what happened to him. Kids will love learning about caterpillars and butterflies along with the popular character.

The Very Impatient Caterpillar was written by Ross Burach. This hilarious story teaches kids about metamorphosis, while also sharing a relatable story about the difficulty of being patient. Kids will love the silly caterpillar, and will recognize the trouble he has being patient.

Pinkalicious and the Little Butterfly was written by Victoria Kann. When her teacher brings caterpillars to class, Pinkalicious is excited to watch them turn into beautiful butterflies. This is a cute story that introduces young readers to metamorphosis in a fun way.

Butterfly Books for Kids

Waiting for Wings was written and illustrated by Lois Ehlert. Using her signature collage style illustrations, Ehlert introduces young readers to caterpillars and butterflies with a peppy rhyming text, perfect for reading aloud.

Elmer and Butterfly was written and illustrated by David McKee. This sweet story follows Elmer the elephant as he helps a stuck butterfly. The butterfly promises to help Elmer in return, but he isn’t sure how a little butterfly can help a big elephant.

A Butterfly is Patient was written by Dianna Hutts Aston and illustrated by Sylvia Long. This beautifully illustrated book introduces young readers to a variety of butterflies through watercolor illustrations and informative text.

Moth & Butterfly: Ta Da! was written by Dev Petty and illustrated by Ana Aranda. Moths and butterflies have a lot in common, and this fun book about friendship explores some of their similarities and differences, and how their friendship can overcome what makes them different.

The Mystery of the Monarchs was written by Barb Rosenstock and illustrated by Erika Meza. This picture book shares the true story of the scientist who solved the mystery of the monarch butterfly migration and how he worked with schoolchildren to figure it out.

National Geographic Readers: Caterpillar to Butterfly was written by Laura Marsh. This nonfiction easy reader shows kids how caterpillars transform into butterflies with simple text and large, clear photographs.

A Butterfly’s Life Cycle was written by Mary R. Dunn. This nonfiction book is a great introduction to the life cycle of the butterfly for beginning readers. The book includes lots of nonfiction text features including a table of contents, and a glossary.

Butterfly Garden was written by Margaret McNamara and illustrated by Mike Gordon. This early reader follows Mrs. Connor’s class as they watch a group of caterpillars transform into butterflies.

Look and Learn Caterpillar to Butterfly was written by National Geographic Kids. This nonfiction board book shows kids how a caterpillar turns into a butterfly with large, detailed photographs and very simple text and captions.

Monarch Butterfly was written by Gail Gibbons. In this informative nonfiction book, readers can learn about the life cycle of monarch butterflies, from their little eggs and caterpillar days to their migrations and life as a butterfly. The back of the book includes information on how to raise monarch butterflies, and more facts about them.

Great Migrations: Butterflies was written by National Geographic Kids. In this nonfiction early reader, young readers will learn about the impressive migration of monarch butterflies and the struggles they face on their journey.

Butterfly Books for Children

Flutter, Butterfly! was written by Shelby Alinsky. This pre-reader from National Geographic kids uses simple vocabulary and colorful photographs to teach kids interesting facts about butterflies.

Claudia & Moth was written by Jennifer Hansen Rolli. This book follows a young girl named Claudia who loves butterflies. She loves to watch them, and to paint their beautiful wings. When winter comes and the butterflies leave, she finds new inspiration in a moth.

Becoming a Butterfly was written by Ruth A. Musgrave. This little board book uses simple text in large, colorful fonts, and beautiful photographs to teach little readers how a caterpillar becomes a butterfly.

Uni and the Butterfly was written by Amy Krouse Rosenthal and illustrated by Brigette Barrager. This adorable early reader follows Uni the Unicorn as she discovers a cocoon and cares for it until it becomes a butterfly. This tale of friendship explores the life of a butterfly while also teaching an important lesson.

Glasswings: A Butterfly’s Story was written by Elisa Kleven. This sweet story teaches kids about glasswing butterflies through the story of Claire, a glasswing butterfly who gets lost in the city. Kids will also learn about pollination as they follow Claire’s journey.

From Caterpillar to Butterfly was written by Deborah Heiligman and illustrated by Bari Weissman. In this fact filled book, a classroom full of kids follows a caterpillar’s journey as it becomes a Painted Lady butterfly. The cute cartoon illustrations include lots of details about caterpillars, and the story is an easy one for kids to follow.