My introduction to this lovely book will be short, because I’ve been out of town, but suffice it to say that fans of 2006’s An Egg is Quiet<\/a><\/em><\/strong> and 2007’s A Seed is Sleepy<\/a><\/em><\/strong> will be happy to see A Butterfly is Patient<\/a><\/strong><\/em> (Chronicle Books, May 2011), again from author Dianna Hutts Aston and illustrator Sylvia Long<\/a><\/strong>. <\/p>\n As with the previous titles by this duo, this book is beautifully illustrated, informative, and engaging — all at the same time. This is an introduction to butterflies (the many varieties, their behavioral habits, their development and growth, their migration, and more), and Aston and Long do it up with style with text and illustrations that children and adults will pore over. Also as with the previous titles, many double page spreads are designed to look like the notebook of a nature-lover who has paused to note the beauty witnessed. Long\u2019s illustrations, rendered in ink and watercolor, are lush and elegant. And the handlettering! Beautiful. Publishers Weekly<\/em> calls this one a “lovely mix of science and wonder” and School Library Journal<\/em>, a “lyrical, colorful, and elegant production.” Kirkus<\/em> adds, “{s}imilar butterfly albums abound, but none show these most decorative members of the insect clan to better advantage.” <\/p>\n I said I’d be short, right? I meant it. Sorry not to provide more details, but I’ve got some unpacking to do. While I do so, here are some more spreads. You may click each spread to enlarge. Enjoy. <\/p>\n A BUTTERFLY IS PATIENT. Copyright \u00a9 2011 by Dianna Hutts Aston. Illustration \u00a9 2011 by Sylvia Long. Published by Chronicle Books, San Francisco. Spreads reproduced by permission of the publisher.<\/em><\/p>\n Note for any new readers: 7-Imp’s 7 Kicks is a weekly meeting ground for taking some time to reflect on Seven(ish) Exceptionally Fabulous, Beautiful, Interesting, Hilarious, or Otherwise Positive Noteworthy Things from the past week, whether book-related or not, that happened to you. <\/p>\n 1)<\/strong><\/font> I spoke at this event<\/a><\/strong> this week, and it was great to evangelize my favorite 2011 picture books, but also to hear my colleagues talk about their favorite titles for older readers. <\/p>\n 2)<\/strong><\/font> While there, I got to see some East Tennessee friends. <\/p>\n 3)<\/strong><\/font> This CD. Where do I even begin? It is perfect. That’s about all I can muster right about now. <\/p>\n …except to say that “when you lay me down to rest \/ leave the pistol in my vest” may be my favorite line of all. <\/p>\n 4)<\/strong><\/font> The music in the new Winnie-the-Pooh film<\/a><\/strong> is by She & Him<\/a><\/strong>. (M. Ward<\/a><\/strong>, exactly one half of She & Him, is one of the world’s great wonders.) And the movie is refreshingly un-3D. <\/p>\n 5)<\/strong><\/font> There is a one-page “portrait” of Sendak in the current issue of Vanity Fair<\/em>, complete with a really kickin’ photo by Annie Leibowitz of him and his beautiful dog. <\/p>\n![](\"http:\/\/blaine.org\/jules\/abip.JPG\")
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