The Butterfly (The Kindness Editions)

I'm a teacher. This was my first year in elementary, firth grade. Prior to this, I taught middle and high school English. Having to switch gears in the content and delivery I'd been using to teach The Holocaust was a bit challenging...how to find that delicate balance of the truth, but keeping in mind that these are 10 and 11 year old children. I purchased this book to be included in my Holocaust unit. We first read the poem "The Butterfly" by Pavel Friedman and analyzed for meaning, theme, and symbolism. We did the same after reading this book and compared the two pieces in a writing task. The kids loved it. Upon finding out that it is a true story, they loved it even more. I would recommend this to anyone. I would absolutely recommend it for teaching a Holocaust unit, anywhere from about 4th/5th grade all the way through 12th.

Extremely inspiring book about bravery and kindness during the holocaust. The book is written in a way that is possible to teach your students many comprehension strategies. I am using it with fourth grade remedial reading; it generates many meaningful conversations and expands their vocabulary.

Patricia Polacco is, by far, one of the very best author-illustrators I have read. The Butterfly is the perfect balance in portraying the horrors of hatred, yet not becoming overwhelming to our young readers.I use quality literature with my students to teach the basics of language and social issues. Whenever I read this book with my students, they are riveted from the very beginning. The discussions resulting from the story are always insightful, inspiring deep questions from the children and considerable thought.The illustrations, as always with Patricia Polacco, elevate the emotional impact of the events of the story.The fact that this story is of Patricia Polacco's aunt and great-aunt and a true story is meaningful to my students.

Another great story!! This one is about WWII & the Holocaust. Appropriate for later elementary ages to adults. I buy her books for me , but shared this one with my high school World History students. Whoever said teens don’t like to have stories read to them, haven’t found the right picture book stories!!

This story is about WW2 and the courageous French resistance seen thru the eyes of a young girl. She makes a very special friend and there is a dangerous event that occurs! Young children can be resourceful, loyal and brave. They can have faith and follow instruction. They need to know they have inner strength and this story helps them realize that...It also teaches them a little French!Unfortunately, persecution of our Jewish brothers & sisters still exist and we must continue to empower our children to stand up to evil.Ms Polacco hit the ball out of the park with this story!

I purchased this book for our school library. I feel it's a good book for elementary aged children to expose them to the Holocaust in a way that's at their level.

The reviews state that THE BUTTERFLY has a target audience of ages 6-9 but I disagree! Polacco's lovely stories have appeal for all generations. Today is my daughter's birthday; she is a new 2nd grade teacher. My favorite gifts to her are six Patricia Polacco books. THE BUTTERFLY was written in honor of Polacco's great aunt, Marcelle Solliliage and her Aunt, Monique Gaw. Marcelle was part of the French underground and resistance during World War II. She bravely hid Jews in her home during the Nazi occupation. Monique was oblivious to these happenings until she met a young Jewish girl, Sevrine who happened to be hiding in the basement. A friendship developed that has endured many decades, right up to today! Polacco's exquisite story teaches the reader about true bravery, honor, and self-sacrifice (not to mention the history of a time not so long ago). How many of us would do today, as these valiant heroes have done many times in the past?

Polacco has an extraordinary capacity to relate difficult subjects to children in her prose. This book is beautifully illustrated and the words are captivating. I have read this to my three year old granddaughter and she understands that the subject matter is not quite as entertaining as some of her other children's books. She had tears of compassion in her eyes, but chose it again as a book she wanted read to her.