Butterfly Park

Running Press

Written and Illustrated by Elly MacKay

2015

When a little girl moves to a new town, she finds a place called Butterfly Park. But when she opens the gate, there are no butterflies. Determined to lure the butterflies in, the girl inspires her entire town to help her. And with their combined efforts, soon the butterflies -- and the girl -- feel right at home. Elly MacKay's luminous paper-cut illustrations and enchanting story encourage community, friendship, and wonderment in the beauty of everyday life.

Junior Library Guild Selection

Heather’s Pick - Indigo Chapters

Forest of Reading Honour Book

"Each intricately detailed page is like some tiny, delicate stage set, with a blurred background suggesting an even wider world beyond.” -The New York Times

"Centered on the park's elaborate art nouveau gateway, MacKay's lyrical paper collage and diorama constructs feature layered details and out-of-focus backgrounds for a sense of depth. Brightly patterned butterflies, delicate flowers, and human figures pose like gracefully off-balance dancers. . . . Worthy of theme and equally pleasing to the eye and the spirit." - Kirkus Reviews

“MacKay's artwork recreates the feel and pleasure of Edwardian-era illustration, and lovers of picture-book fantasy will embrace it.” - Publishers Weekly

“The real treat here is the art. MacKay in in top form, and readers will delight in the mix of colours, textures, and perspectives she employs in creating the visual elements of this lovely book.” Quill and Quire

Butterfly Park Activity - Magnetic Wand Garden

• We used the lids of boxes that hold printer paper for the base of our gardens but shoe box lids would work too.

• We then drew flowers and attached the pictures to the top of the box.

• The magnetic wands were made from tongue depressors (popsicle sticks would also work). We taped a magnet to the end.

• The kids discovered polarity of sticking 2 magnets together! After making butterflies we attached a magnet to the back of each. Some worked and others pushed away from our wands and needed to be flipped.

• Once our magnets were sorted, we had fun playing with our new toys, using the wand behind the garden to make the butterflies fly.