Monarch & Mourning Cloak: A Butterfly Journal by Melissa Stewart and Sarah S. Brannen

Monarch & Mourning Cloak: A Butterfly Journal by Melissa Stewart and Sarah S. Brannen

Published March, 2026

Beech Lane Books

Nonfiction

Picture Book

48 Pages

Hardcover

Review copy provided by publisher

A Junior Library Guild Selection

Kirkus Starred Review

Goodreads Summary

A luminously illustrated and thoroughly informative picture book poetry collection by Sibert Honor–winning duo Melissa Stewart and Sarah S. Brannen that captures the beauty and complexity of monarch and mourning cloak butterflies.

Monarch and mourning cloak butterflies may seem similar on the surface; they are about the same size and common throughout North America. But following along at a butterfly’s-eye-view, readers will discover how they live in different habitats, eat different foods, and have different strategies for avoiding enemies and making it through winter. Because even though all butterflies have the same basic body features and life cycle, each species has its own special way of surviving.

Delightful and illuminating poems, informational sidebars, and lush illustrations will immerse curious young readers in the lives of these two fascinating butterfly species.

My Thoughts

In a letter to the reader, Stewart and Brannen describe this book as, "...a collage of poems and artwork that captures the beauty and complexity of butterflies while also revealing our creative process." 

It feels exactly like looking through a journal of a scientist or naturalist who has delved into studying the Monarch and Mourning Cloak Butterflies. The book is filled with poems about the butterflies that are illustrated to look like they are taped into the journal. The poems are accompanied by notes, sketches, diagrams, and timelines. There is so much to learn and explore. I found myself noticing something new with each reread. I can just picture my students poring over this book together. 

Reading Monarch and Mourning Cloak would be a great springboard into nature journals. Kids (and adults) will be inspired to start their own journals after reading and exploring this book. 

image from Amazon.com

Don't miss the back matter that could be a book by itself. 

Visit Melissa Stewart's website for more information and resources to deepen and extend the learning. 

I can't wait to add this book to my school library. 

Swapped: Ollie's BIG Adventure by Maggie Testa

Swapped: Ollie's BIG Adventure 

by Maggie Testa

Published April, 2026

Simon Spotlight

Boardbook

Publisher Summary
Based on Skydance Animation and Netflix’s upcoming feature Swapped, coming in 2026 and sure to be a beloved children’s movie for years to come, Ollie’s Big Adventure is a gorgeous and fun-filled board book!

Meet Ollie and Ivy. Ollie is a Pookoo, the smallest and most vulnerable creature in the valley. Ivy is a Javan, a beautiful bird species that eats the Pookoo’s main food source.

When they magically switch bodies, these two natural competitors have to learn to work together to survive in a world that is both awe-inspiring and very dangerous. In fact, both of their species’ survival depends on it. Come along for a soaring adventure that will delight readers and fans of the film.

The book makes a nice companion to the popular animated movie on Netflix. Kids will love revisiting adorable animated characters and scenes from the movie. 

Here is more info about the movie:

ABOUT THE MOVIE: A buddy comedy about a small woodland creature (voiced by Michael B. Jordan) and a majestic bird (voiced by Juno Temple)—natural sworn enemies of The Valley—who suddenly swap bodies and must team up (while walking in each other’s feathers and fur) to survive the wildest adventure of their lives.