Arlo Needs Your Help - by Cortney Cino (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

SET HIM FREE. SEE HIM FLY!

Some well-intentioned kids put Arlo in the Caterpillar Palace, but being trapped inside means Arlo might miss the most important transformation of his life! He needs your help to escape! Interact with Arlo, and you'll make a new friend while discovering the magical life cycle of monarch butterflies.

If you love the charm of The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle, the educational aspects of Monarch Butterfly by Gail Gibbons, and the interactivity of Press Here by Hervé Tullet, then Arlo Needs Your Help will become a beloved addition to your picture book collection.

"Beautifully presented and perfectly pitched to foster a sense of wonder about the natural world." --Kirkus Reviews (Starred Review)

Why children, families, and educators will love this book:

• An entertaining and interactive read-aloud story that gets kids thinking, helping, and counting numbers
• Includes a seek-and-find aphid friend (Ava) and a bonus Arlo poster inside the dust jacket!
• Teaches concepts such as metamorphosis, lifecycle, and habitat in a fun way
• Encourages empathy and responsible care for living creatures

Arlo Needs Your Help is perfect for kids ages 3,4,5,6,7, and 8 (or K-3rd). For the classroom, it makes a great addition to science units as a fictional STEM book. As of 2025, monarch butterflies are now considered endangered or threatened in many regions due to their dramatic population declines. The pages in the back of the book highlight the importance of this species and how kids can help them. An educator's guide & activity sheets are also available on the publisher's website.

Are you ready to become Arlo's hero?

(Thank you to the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation and Pollinator Partnership for their meaningful contributions to this book.)

Review Quotes

"Arlo Needs Your Help brings the magic of monarchs to life and encourages children to help care for the pollinators around them. This story invites kids to explore nature and discover the small actions that make a big difference."

"Beautifully presented and perfectly pitched to foster a sense of wonder about the natural world."

"Right from the appealing book cover, this delightful and educational book is perfect for young readers (K-2) who enjoy interactive stories and learning about nature, especially those interested in caterpillars, butterflies, and conservation."

"This interactive picture book puts the reader at the center of the lifecycle of the monarch butterfly through engaging activities and charming narrators."

About the Author

Olga Sall is an illustrator based in Spain with over 30 children's books to her name. Known for her intricately detailed work, Olga brings stories to life through richly layered backgrounds, vibrant colors, and expressive textures. Olga Sall is an illustrator based in Spain with over 30 children's books to her name. Known for her intricately detailed work, Olga brings stories to life through richly layered backgrounds, vibrant colors, and expressive textures.

Cortney Cino is the founder of Whimspire Books and author of The Lights That Stay, Finally Home, the Piper's Adventures series, and Sincerely, Antonia: A Big Note from a Tiny Guest. She loves to write stories that inspire or make readers giggle. Based in Northern California, she's also a healthcare marketer and mom to three girls who inspire much of her writing. A Navy spouse who spent time stationed with the Marine Corps, Cortney is an advocate for military families. Learn more at www.whimspirebooks.com.