BIRD, BUTTERFLY, EEL

In summer, the three titular animals share the same coastal New England farm. In autumn, they begin their migration: Bird to Argentina, Butterfly to Central Mexico and Eel to the Sargasso Sea. There, Eel spawns, and it is her young who return to the farm after a year’s journey. Similarly, it is Butterfly’s young who populate the meadows the following spring while Bird herself comes back. The author’s only misstep seems to be a couple of anthropomorphized passages that break the continuity of the factual material (does the cat really “miss” the travelers?). Extensive backmatter adds valuable background information about each animal. The brilliantly luminous watercolors deliver creatures so realistic they appear ready to slither and fly right off the pages. Gorgeous artwork and a wealth of facts nicely combine to create an introductory look at bird, insect and fish migration. (Informational picture book. 5-10)