The Butterfly Club

Gr 2–5—At first Tina the triplet seems an unlikely heroine; since she has been sickly and is much smaller than her sisters, she is sheltered by her overprotective mother and she depends on family to protect her. Then the girls' strict new teacher, Miss Lovejoy, insists on making Tina survive on her own, even forcing her to sit next to Selma the bully, who picks on her terribly! When Tina reveals her love of butterflies, Miss Lovejoy pairs her with Selma to build a school butterfly garden. As they dig, raise funds for supplies, and learn about each other, an understanding and friendship blooms. Madeleine Leslay reads with enthusiasm and expression, and although hers is not the voice of a seven-year-old, she does create a cast of characters with unique inflections. The story might appeal to very young listeners, but the British terminology may be a bit confusing. The audio includes facts about butterflies and gardens at the end, but the book's fun illustrations and recipe are missed.