The Yellow Butterfly

On a summer day, Susi and her brother, Bobby, discover a singing yellow butterfly in their yard: “A butterfly that sings? How can that be? Butterflies don't sing.” When they tell their grandfather what they've seen, he shares a legend about the Sun Queen and King who collected yellow butterflies, which now travel the world granting wishes that come from the heart. After brainstorming what they might wish for—Bobby wants a room full of ice cream and Susi “a giant princess castle with lots of dolls and costumes”—they eventually recapture the butterfly. Seeing the butterfly's unhappiness, Susi wishes for it to be free, and the butterfly rewards them both with wishes, which aren't revealed. A final page directs readers to a Web site, where they can e-mail their wishes to a yellow butterfly. Incorporating butterflies and musical notation, Ward's illustrations have a childlike simplicity and a sense of magic that works well with the subject matter, though first-time author Gill's prose feels repetitive and generic. Proceeds from the sale of the book will benefit children's charities. Ages 5–7. (Apr.)