Saving the Butterfly

3.7

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Author(s)

Helen Cooper

Co-Authors / Illustrators

Gill Smith

Publisher

Candlewick Studio

Genre(s)

Age Range

Release Date

June 07, 2022

ISBN

978-1536220551

Buy This Book

Two resourceful siblings begin a new life as refugees in a poetic picture book about thriving—in your own time—after great loss.

From an award-winning author and a talented debut illustrator comes a profound story about child refugees healing and building new lives. When rescuers meet the boat, there are only two people left—a big child and a little one. The big one, remembering the trip across the dark sea, hides indoors. The little one ventures out, making friends, laughing, growing strong. When he brings the outside in, in the form of a butterfly, will his sister find the courage to guide the winged creature back into the world where it belongs? Powerful illustrations dance between dark and light in a moving tale of empathy, resilience, and the universal need for home and safety.

Editor review

1 review

Emotional Read

August 18, 2022

Overall rating

3.7

Plot

3.0

Characters

N/A

Writing Style

3.0

Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)

5.0

Saving the Butterfly is a thought provoking and emotional read. The muted tones of the illustrations, with a few pops of color here and there, really help bring forth the darkness of the situation.

I feel like this book left me with more questions than it did answers, and I really was not fond of how it began - almost like in the middle of a story. It doesn't shine a big enough light on what refugees have gone, and still go, through.

As someone who suffers from depression, I quickly made that connection with the older sibling, the sister. That arc of the story was more complete, more in depth. We follow along with her as she watches her younger brother bounce back from their harrowing journey on the sea; he's making friends and having fun. While she, the older sister, is fearful of everything new around her. Until one day, there was a little butterfly that forced her hand and gave her courage to move on just a little.

While I don't think this is a highly educational read, I do believe it could help open the door for younger audiences on these different social issues.