“The chrysalis is about understanding and embracing one’s true form, about becoming one’s true self.”

Book fairies in a selected group of states today have been sharing a very special book – Monarca by Leopoldo Gout & Eva Aridjis… along the migration route of the monarch butterfly! See more below to explain why 🙂

Each copy contains a little packet of seeds to encourage the growth of wild flowers to support and maintain the movements of the butterflies.

About the book:

An illustrated fable for all ages about a Mexican-American girl who transforms into a monarch butterfly and undertakes the great migration to Mexico, Monarca braids together the values of heritage, ecology, and personal transformation.

On her thirteenth birthday, Inés receives a mysterious necklace from her abuela in Mexico that turns her into a monarch butterfly–the fulfilment of a prophecy linking Inés’ destiny to her family’s legacy and the butterflies’ survival.

The adventure continues as Inés joins the monarchs on their long journey south to the butterfly sanctuary in Mexico–an odyssey that has become increasingly perilous due to human activity. Together, the swarm travels from the northeast to the swamps of Louisiana to the pine-filled mountain tops of the western Sierra Madre, finally alighting at the Sierra Chincua sanctuary. On this wondrous journey in the vein of Jonathan Livingston Seagull and The Little Prince, Inés discovers the connections between all living beings, and the urgent need to protect the monarchs’ migration and habitats.

Divided into four chapters to mirror the four stages in a monarch’s life–egg, larva, pupa and butterfly–Monarca blends Mexican folklore, environmentalism, and magical realism in an enchanting novella. Illustrated with stunning full-color drawings by Leopoldo Gout, this book will inspire readers to protect and cherish the sacred natural world around them. 

“Those lines are magical. As are the flowers you feed from, the milkweed leaves you ate as a caterpillar, and the different animals you meet.”

– Monarca

Not lucky enough to find one?

Do not worry! This beautiful book is available in all good bookstores – and you can even support shops by ordering your copy online from Bookshop.org!

Would you like to join The Book Fairies?

We would love for you to join us! Just order some official book fairy stickers to get started.