By Alex Latimer (author) , Alex Latimer (illustrator)
"This tender story of feeling comfortable with yourself is an inspirational joy to share aloud."
Paperback In Stock £7.99 £7.19
View All Editions (1)
Written and illustrated by Alex Latimer, Frank is a Butterfly tells a warm, glowy tale of feeling happy in your own skin (and with your own wings!). Think of it as a valuable flipped reinvention of The Ugly Duckling , in that Frank’s story shows how it’s not at all necessary to transform into something showy to feel happy and enjoy the wonders of the world.
Illustrated in a gorgeously rich palette, the scene is set with ten caterpillars munching on a breakfast of leaves. Variously stripy and spotty, big and small, long and short, hirsute and hairless, one of them, Frank, has no distinctive markings to speak of. While Frank’s brighter fellow caterpillars excitedly imagine the kind of butterfly they’ll transform into (the prettiest or the most handsome, magnificent or fabulous), Frank “doesn’t say a word”.
Rather, he’s quietly content to be a “plain, medium-sized caterpillar on a leaf in the bright sunshine”.
When the caterpillars emerge from their chrysalises, all but Frank are decidedly dissatisfied with their lot. They feel let down by their huge expectations. In contrast, Frank is overjoyed to emerge with new (plain) wings that enable him to take to the skies. Thankfully, through Frank’s example, the others come to realise what really matters — having the freedom to explore the beauty of the world, free from the hampering consequences of comparing yourself with others, and free from feeling that you’re never enough. Beautiful!
On a broad green leaf sit ten rather gorgeous (though they do say so themselves) caterpillars. And all they can talk about is what beautiful butterflies they are going to be! But not Frank. Frank is a very plain caterpillar, but he's fine with that. There's so much beauty to see all around him, and so many interesting insects to say good morning to.
Read the full description
When the butterflies hatch, they are not happy. Not one of them looks quite as fabulous as they thought they would. Except for Frank . . .
A funny and inspiring picture book from Alex Latimer, author of the award-winning Godfrey is a Frog , which explores the beauty of being content with what you have.
Alex Latimer is an award-winning writer and illustrator based in Cape Town, South Africa. He has written and illustrated dozens of picture books which have been published all around the world. He has two daughters who read his books to make sure they’re fun and interesting, and a dog named Bernie who goes along on walks with him when he can’t think of any good ideas. Alex loves dinosaurs, space, the sea, and all of the fruits - but only some of the vegetables.'
the best books for 5-7 year olds · the best books about starting school
Henry the Artistic Dog
Albert's Bubble Bath
A Midsummer Night's Drama
On a broad green leaf sit ten rather gorgeous (though they do say so themselves) caterpillars. And all they can talk about is what beautiful butterflies they are going to be!
The LoveReading4Kids Editorial Team have read and reviewed Frank is a Butterfly and determined it is suitable for children aged 3-6 years old
Frank is a Butterfly features in the following genres: Featured Books for 3+ readers, Featured Books for 5+ readers, Recommendations, Funny, Animal Stories, Picture storybooks, Children's and Young Adult Fiction, Children’s, Teenage and Educational, Children’s picture books, Children’s: picture books, activity books, early learning concepts
Paperback. £7.19, down from the £7.99 cover price. In Stock.
Frank is a Butterfly was written by Alex Latimer and published by Oxford University Press an imprint of OUP OXFORD
Frank is a Butterfly has 30 pages
£7.19, reduced from £7.99. In Stock.
©PTC International Ltd T/A LoveReading is registered in England. Company number: 10193437. VAT number: 270 4538 09. Registered address: 157 Shooters Hill, London, SE18 3HP. Terms & Conditions | Privacy Policy | Disclaimer
The National Year of Reading starts here. Join thousands of families and schools supporting reading for pleasure across the UK.