Reviews

Butterflies Are Pretty ... Gross! by Rosemary Mosco

bookly_reads's review

5.0

Really lovely writing; factual but easy for children to follow, and the "top secret" approach of the butterfly narrator will make the information enticing for kids to learn. The illustrations were beautiful, but I wish the insect anatomy had been more accurate (especially the spider's) since this is a book introducing entomology to children.

abigailbat's review

Yes, butterflies are pretty, but there are plenty of gross facts about butterflies, too! This book would make an excellent school age readaloud and if I was still doing afterschool storytimes, this is definitely one I would take. The narrator addresses the audience, frequently warning the reader to stop reading the book unless they want to be truly weirded out. Facts include tidbits like some butterflies eat poop, some butterflies have faces on their butts to trick their enemies, and that a caterpillar's skin turns into the shell of its chrysalis (I did not know that!!). Great for kids who like gross out science and a fun addition to your spring readalouds.

libraryrobin's review

2.0

Mildly gross. Wish it had included actual photos with the illustrations.

jesstele's review

3.0

More facts and less “you can stop now, it’s going to be gross” would have made this a 4 or 5 star book. Loved the concept, but not the execution.

leillaf's review

5.0

My three year old neice adores this book. She thinks it's hilarious and has taken to telling people butterfly facts and acting out the butterfly life cycle.
I've read it to her more times than I can count.
It's beautifully illustrated, funny in a way that appeals to kids, and informative.
If your kid likes butterflies, this is the book for them

nrogers_1030's review

funny informative lighthearted medium-paced

5.0

Beautiful illustrations ❤️ 

frankisib's review

4.0

humor too

elizabethlk's review

4.0

As a fan of Rosemary Mosco, I've been waiting to read this book since I first heard it was coming out (I think in September-ish of 2020), especially since I have a soft spot for this type of nature and science kidlit that prides itself on grossness. This definitely delivered!

The art style is really fun, with lots of vibrant colours and enticing details that emphasise both the beauty and the grossness of butterflies. The writing style is tantalising, asking readers if they're REALLY sure they want to know how weird and gross butterflies are. It has lots of fun and gross facts about some of the lesser-known details of butterflies, and it included information I didn't know as an adult.

This is a fun little book, perfect for all the kids out there with an appreciation for both prettiness and grossness.

briarsreviews's review

4.0

This book is utterly charming and amusing. It has a sneaky feel, with readers peeking inside to learn all of the gross things about butterflies. We all know they're pretty, but they can be disgusting as well. This is a great picture book with lots of non-fiction knowledge. I highly recommend grabbing this book! It's fun, sweet and simple to read. Plus, you'll learn something.

Four out of five stars.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Random House Canada for providing me a free copy of this book in exchange of an honest review.

graypeape's review

5.0

There is just so much to love about this book: the artwork is quirky and colorful, our monarch butterfly guide is pretty amusing, and he makes learning about the uglier traits of beautiful butterflies a lot of fun, and it's full of all kinds of gross facts that will grab kids' attention. At the end of the book, there's a chart with thumbnail photos of the butterflies mentioned in the book, along with additional information about them and their geographic range. Great fun!

#ButterfliesArePrettyGross #NetGalley