Jake and the Migration
of the Monarch

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Charleston, South Carolina - October 20, 2005
Children’s book exudes warmth

By Fran Hawk

“J  ake and the Migration of the Monarch” by Crystal Ball O'Connor, Ph.D., will be the featured children's book at the Mount Pleasant Barnes & Noble at 11 a.m. Saturday. When I describe this picture book as "sweet," I mean that it's gentle and loving. The illustrations by portrait painter Valerie Hollinger add a soft, warm radiance to the text. In addition to being sweet, "Jake and the Migration of the Monarch" is entertaining and educational for both parents and children. Jake and his mom are sitting on their porch at the beach when they realize they're in the midst of the autumn migration of the monarch butterflies. As they

watch the countless butterflies, Jake's mama gently explains the migration process. She relates the life cycle of the monarch to the life cycle of families. She says, "Just as your parents and grandparents and great-grandparents help set a path for you, the butterflies do the same thing." In the back of the book, there's a family tree to complete as well as a page called "Monarchs and Me ..." that gives more information about the connections between butterflies and people. Readers are referred to the Web site, www.monarchpublishers.com "to learn more about the world of monarch butterflies." This is an excellent site for both parents and teachers

because it provides myriad ways to extend learning into physical activities, drama, language arts, math, music, science, social studies and visual art. There are things to do, make and grow. There's a list of places to go, and an invitation to submit your own "stuff" to the site. The whole concept of "extending" learning has been used in schools for a long time. The book makes this concept readily available to families. The book serves as the beginning step into a whole world of knowledge and activities.   Contact Fran Hawk at franbooks@yahoo.com.

Highest rating by the National Center for the Study of Children’s Literature

“Highly recommended. This heartfelt dialogue between mother and child models attentive parenting while also revealing the wonders of the natural world. A superb choice for family reading.”

-Professor Alida Allison

Book Review

National Center for the Study of Children’s Literature
 

“This moving piece has such depth and heart. The story teaches young readers not only about the migration patterns of the monarch, but also about life and love and finding a home place.”

-Liza Baker

Book Review

Former Senior Editor, Scholastic, Inc.
 

"Jake and the Migration of the Monarch is a beautiful story. This unique blend of imagination and education captures the  special closeness between mother and child, reminds us of the importance of family, and invites us to explore one of the marvels of nature—monarch butterfly migration.

I encourage you to take this journey with a special child in your life or your classroom by reading the story, then investigating the informative and entertaining guides and activities offered in this website. Through reading, science, the arts and creative play, enjoy your flight."

-Tunky Riley
Former First Lady of South Carolina
Board Member Success by Six &
Alliance for Quality Education

"With its memorable text and illustrations, Jake and the Migration of the Monarch will be an excellent resource in the classroom as well as at home. The story is both educational and interesting in its description of butterfly migration, but it goes further than that. It connects Jake with his mother as his teacher in such a warm and loving manner. 

This unique effort by two talented school board members who are recognized for their support of early childhood education encourages parent/child reading and a shared appreciation for the worlds of art and nature. The story includes a heartfelt intergenerational message--a pleasure for readers of all ages.

-Richard W. Riley
Former U.S. Secretary of Education and
Former Governor of South Carolina 

“This delightful story truly is chicken soup for the grandparent’s soul. It honors the role we play in setting the path for our grandchildren and gives us a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the ties that bring together generations.”

-Leann Thieman

Author, Chicken Soup for the Grandma's Soul

“This is more than an enchanting tale. In captivating prose, O’Connor educates children about the interdependence of man with nature, gently encouraging children to look around them to see what they can do to make the world a better place.”

-Lyn Riddle

Editor, The Greenville Journal

“Most of the time, teachers have to choose between books that offer high quality educational content and books that entertain and delight children. With Jake and the Migration of the Monarch, we don’t have to choose. It does both!”
-Christina Hunter
Greenville County Teacher of the Year, Instructional Coach Sara Collins Elementary School

“Dr. O’Connor captures the magic of the monarch in Jake and the Migration of the Monarch. I hope her book will inspire readers to learn more about monarch butterflies and how to lure them to their homes by planting milkweed and nectar-producing flowers.”

-Kathy Miller
Science Teacher, Oakview Elementary School

“At first glance, Jake and the Migration of the Monarch appears to be a book for young children, but it occurred to me that it would be a wonderful book to share with a child upon graduation or a child leaving home for the first time. It expresses the amazement a mother has watching her child grow, the desire for that child to be safe as he or she explores the future, and the ever-open arms of home.”

-Sharon Kazee
Dean/Vice President for Arts and Academics for the South Carolina Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities

“When Jake sees a cloud of monarch butterflies, he begins to connect his world to the flight of the butterflies. He slips into his mother’s lap to explore the natural world through his imagination and song. Jake asks. Momma answers. His mother guides him through the life cycle of the monarch butterfly as they watch in wonder at the glorious sight before them.

The love between mother and child is reflected in the majesty of monarch migration. Together they celebrate their connection to one another and nature as the monarch travelers flutter by. Momma reminds Jake that, like the monarch, his journey can always lead him home.

Dr. Crystal Ball O’Connor’s educational and heartwarming story and Valerie Bunch Hollinger’s tender pastels capture the coastal beauty as well as the cherished moments between mother and child and their butterflies. 

The perfect gift to celebrate the birth of a child, to share with an older child, or to present to a graduate, Jake and the Migration of the Monarch is a timeless story certain to become a family favorite.

-Emmie N. Watson
M. A. Ed., Furman University
"Fellow, Bread Loaf School of English"

Jake and the Migration of the Monarch is a wonderful marriage of informational text and narrative text.  The language contained within the book provides an excellent opportunity for a read aloud moment.

-Tom Roe
Language Arts Consultant, Greenville County Schools

Teachers and students alike enjoyed your presentation and were fascinated by the incredible story of the flight of the monarch.  Your animated skit taught factual information in such an entertaining way!

-Sarah Brice
Media Specialist,  Welcome Elementary

I've been teaching first-, second- and third graders for 30-something years and it was the best presentation I've seen.  The way it all came about and the way they wove their personal experiences in with the science of the butterflies was just wonderful.

-Sara Doolittle
First Grade Teacher, Simpsonville Elementary Schools

This dynamic duo of author and illustrator have published a stunning book. The story weaves literature, the arts, science, nature, and social studies together in this heart warming and fascinating picture book. Crystal and Valerie share the love of learning and teaching through their enthusiastic talks, readings, and performances about this beautiful story, while mesmerizing students and adults. Their book is a real South Carolina treasure. It has already become a library favorite! Don’t forget to check out their incredible website.

-Sally Nuss
Media Specialist, Taylors Elementary

"READING MATTERS",  the official journal of the South Carolina State Council of the International Reading Association

Please note: the journal will be coming out in late 2005 or early 2006.

A local author and illustrator have teamed up to create a gentle story about a boy named Jake and his mother who admire the monarch butterflies as they make their way through South Carolina on their annual trek to warmer climates.  Jake’s mother explains to him about the life habits of the monarch butterfly.  For example, she tells Jake that monarch butterflies lay their eggs on the milkweed plant, creating a new generation.  She compares this with families by saying, “Just as your parents and grandparents and great-grandparents help set a path for you, the butterflies do the same thing.”  Information about the monarch butterflies is included in a manner that is not didactic.  The pastel illustrations convey the closeness between Jake and his mother as well as their sense of wonder pertaining to the monarch butterflies.  A CD-ROM containing a musical reading of the story, a song and a classical piano piece is available to accompany the book.  A Spanish edition of this book is also available. In addition, the authors have created a website www.MonarchPublishers.com that contains curriculum ideas and teacher guides to help meet standards in a variety of subjects.  At the end of the book there is more information about monarch butterflies as well as a family tree that can be filled in by the book’s owner.  A good book to pair with this one is Monarch Butterfly (1989) by Gail Gibbons.

-Jonda C. McNair, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Reading Education
Eugene T. Moore School of Education
Clemson University

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