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Shortly before her death, a little Mexican's girl's grandmother (who is also her best friend) takes her to the Magic Circle of oyamel fir trees to say goodbye to the monarch butterflies as they prepare for their migration north. Even after a butterfly that has landed on the girl's arm flies away, her arm still tickles. "That's because they carry the souls of the old ones, and the old one... More

Shortly before her death, a little Mexican's girl's grandmother (who is also her best friend) takes her to the Magic Circle of oyamel fir trees to say goodbye to the monarch butterflies as they prepare for their migration north. Even after a butterfly that has landed on the girl's arm flies away, her arm still tickles. "That's because they carry the souls of the old ones, and the old ones never really leave," Grandmother says. After Grandmother dies, all the sad little girl can think about is that her arm doesn't feel the tickle anymore, and her grandmother's scent of cornmeal and roses is fading as well. It's not until the season for the Days of the Dead, the time to remember the old ones, that the girl discovers the truth of her beloved grandmother's words.

Giselle Potter, illustrator of Kate and the Beanstalk and other intriguing picture books, applies her unique, naive artistic style in muted earth tones to Barbara M. Joosse's narrative: the oval-faced grandmother and granddaughter work tortilla dough together, hold hands under the butterfly-covered trees, and keep the imaginary nighttime monsters at bay. Joosse's poetic tale celebrates the magic of remembrance in a way that will speak to every child who has loved--and lost--someone special. Details about the legendary 2,000-mile migration of monarch butterflies and about the Mexican Days of the Dead add an exotic twist to this delicate, touching story. Joosse is the author of many wonderful books for children, including the award-winning Mama, Do You Love Me?. (Ages 5 to 8) --Emilie Coulter

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