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by Sara K. Rubin (Author)
A Spider and a Butterfly, a Predator and Prey. What Could Go Wrong?
A dramatic, fable-like tale of life-and-death danger between two natural enemies, a butterfly and a spider. In nature they aren't meant to be friends. But when a hungry bird swoops toward the spider, the monarch butterfly knows that her bright orange-and-black wings will keep her safe... yet she acts without hesitation, and shields the spider beneath her wing.
Why protect the very creature who might have eaten you?
Told with vivid illustrations and humorous, quick dialogue, The Butterfly and the Spider is both a suspenseful nature story and a window into the surprising ways animals interact in the real world. Scientific facts appear as footnotes woven into the story, so readers can learn fascinating truths about butterflies, spiders, and predator-prey relationships while following the action.
Beyond the science, this story asks deeper questions: What does it mean to act selflessly? Can we see the world from another's point of view-even an enemy's? And in nature, where survival often comes first, what sparks cooperation instead of conflict?
Inside you'll find:
- A whimsically illustrated fable full of emotional and moral tension
- A reflection page with discussion questions about empathy, choices, and cooperation
- A lively Q&A about monarchs, spiders, and their real-life behaviors
- A detailed visual guide to the monarch butterfly life cycle
Perfect for curious kids, parents, and teachers, this unique blend of humor, story and science works equally well for bedtime reading, classroom use, or display in a museum gift shop. It's a reminder that even life-long adversaries can find common ground-and sometimes, unexpected peculiar grace.
"A beautiful book with both a brain and a heart."
