Kirby’s Journal: Backyard Butterfly Magic (Young Palmetto Books) - Softcover

"To a child, nearby nature can be a universe. Through Kirby's Journal, Charlotte Caldwell provides children with a portal into their own backyard galaxy."--Richard Louv, journalist and author of Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder "Kirby's Journal is an exciting, personable introduction to the study of butterflies and entomology. With digital cameras and online information, it is easier than ever for children to become backyard scientists. This book is a good way to get them started."--Dwight Williams, entomologist and director, Cyprus Gardens "Kirby's Journal blew me away with its seamless combination of pertinent information on butterfly gardening, life cycles, and habitats mixed with other tidbits about insects and backyard wildlife in an interesting, well-rounded story of one child's summer. The result is a wonderful guidebook, resource, and story."--Amanda Segura, horticulturalist and garden education coordinator, Riverbanks Zoo and Garden "The life cycle of butterflies is presented in detail through this attractive and readable fictitious journal. Watching butterflies in the backyard, Kirby learns about gardening, photography, and scientific observation. The photographs will attract browsers, especially images depicting the fascinating, minute-by-minute views of a monarch butterfly cracking its way out of its chrysalis. Kirby is a personable and likable character whose diary will appeal to kids. VERDICT: An entertaining and enlightening addition."--School Library Journal "Eleven-year-old Kirby records close observations of butterflies made in [Kirby's] grandparents' Charleston, South Carolina, backyard during a summer vacation that is as good as a safari. The grandparents provide background, beginning with body parts and going on through classification, identification, the food web, and survival strategies. Kirby makes notes on oversized journal pages and adds color photographs. This pseudo-journal makes a clever invitation to a possible lifetime passion."--Kirkus Reviews "Teachers will want this versatile book for many reasons. It can be easily integrated into language arts units, as well as units in math and geography, just to name a few. It would also be very useful for differentiated instruction. Educators will also find this book useful as they teach students how to create a science journal and conduct science research. The book is useful in this regard as it models science journaling and references research tools such as field guides."--NSTA Recommends

On an eventful summer spent in Charleston, South Carolina, eleven-year-old Kirby, Grandma, and Grandpa plant a butterfly garden, and Kirby documents the wondrous adventures in learning that follow. Their observations, excitement, and curiosity are vividly captured through Kirby's journal and newly acquired hobby of photography as together they discover an abundance of life just outside their own backdoor. Including more than one hundred color photographs and a helpful glossary, Kirby's Journal inspires children of all ages to go outdoors, to watch and listen inquisitively, and to share in the magic of nature. With a playful attitude and a love of learning new things, Kirby discovers a whole new world of caterpillars, butterflies, spiders, snakes, squirrels, and more - as well as the importance of identification, classification, and conservation in learning about flora, fauna, and their natural habitats.