The Butterfly

A tale of friendship and bravery in the midst of unthinkable horror, this classic Holocaust story from master storyteller Patricia Polacco is a vital lesson in the power of hope.

This Kindness Edition features discussion questions at the back of the book to help guide readers through conversations about its story and message! Perfect for classrooms and more!

In this Holocaust story based on real events and passed from the narrator to her niece, the author-illustrator herself, Patricia Polacco once again celebrates the shared humanity of the peoples of this world.

Ever since the Nazis marched into Monique’s small French village, terrorizing it, nothing surprises her. That is, until the night Monique encounters a little ghost sitting at the end of her bed. She turns out to be a Jewish girl named Sevrine who has been hiding from the Nazis in Monique’s basement. Playing after dark, the two become friends. But when they are discovered, both of their families must embark on a nighttime flight. And Monique can only hope that the freedom of the butterflies in her garden will reach Sevrine as well.

Now with questions at the back of the book to help guide readers through age-appropriate discussions of what this book means, both for our history and through to today, this kindness edition of The Butterfly brings celebrated author-illustrator Patricia Polacco’s work to a new audience of young readers who can be inspired by its message.