Papilio - by Ben Clanton & Corey R Tabor & Andy Chou Musser (Hardcover)

About the Book

"Told in three parts, Papilio transforms from caterpillar to chrysalis to butterfly"--

Book Synopsis

A tale told in three parts by three friends! Powerhouse creators, Ben Clanton, Corey R. Tabor, and Andy Chou Musser, have come together to create a wholly inventive picture book that is perfect for fans of The Very Hungry Caterpillar.

Introducing Papilio Polyxenes, the Black Swallowtail Butterfly! She's an adorable and hilarious caterpillar who is ready to join the world and become a butterfly! But growing up is a complicated work in progress, and Papilio encounters some hiccups as she learns to fly, fall, and feed. While avoiding foes and making friends, she transforms from caterpillar, to chrysalis, to butterfly...and most importantly, learns to believe in herself along the way.

Told in three parts and complete with backmatter about butterflies, mega-bestselling author-illustrator Ben Clanton (Narwhal and Jelly), Caldecott Honoree Corey R. Tabor (Mel Fell) and rising star Andy Chou Musser (Ploof) have come together to create an expressive character who exudes all of the emotions that accompany life's big firsts and the experiences that help us to discover our inner strength.

Review Quotes

Praise for Papilio

"At its heart, Papilio is a story about change, transformation and growing up. And one thing you learn as you grow up is that it's OK to ask for help. Andy Chou Musser, Ben Clanton and Corey Tabor say they hope their children's book encourages kids to collaborate and work together to make something new. Because while they probably could have written and illustrated Papilio on their own, it was much more fun to do it with friends." --NPR Weekend Edition's Picture This

* "Artistic collaboration yields one-of-a-kind storytelling with this deft look at the transformation from caterpillar to butterfly. . .Move aside, Very Hungry Caterpillar. Meet the new queen of metamorphosis storytime splendor." --Kirkus Reviews, starred review

* "With a light narrative and visual touch, the creators' sections. . .convey a sense of growth, optimism, and change. Facts and a creators' note conclude." --Publishers Weekly, starred review

"A must-have...an ideal story for children curious about the natural world...This collaborative story blends the artistic styles of three author/illustrators and tells a memorable story of metamorphosis." --Shelf Awareness

"Setting details that appear in each artist's section, such as a large, pink, poppy-like flower, are noticeably the same, yet distinctly Clanton- or Tabor- or Musser-esque. A clever celebration of close looking, collaboration, and experimentation that offers a fresh twist on a familiar metamorphosis story." --Horn Book Magazine

A 2026 American Library Association Notable Children's Book
A Chicago Public Library Best Book of 2025
A Kirkus Best Picture Book of 2025

About the Author

Ben Clanton (Caterpillar) is the New York Times bestselling and Eisner Award-winning author and illustrator of the Narwhal and Jelly series. Some of his other titles include It Came in the Mail, Ploof (an interactive new picture book series co-created with Andy Chou Musser), and the Tater Tales books. Ben makes books in Seattle, Washington where he lives with his family (which on occasion includes a few roly-polies and butterflies).

Corey R. Tabor (Chrysalis) is the author/illustrator of Mel Fell, a Caldecott Honor recipient, and the winner of the first Barnes & Noble annual picture book award. He is also the creator of the Fox early reader and picture book series, which has garnered two Geisel Medals (Fox the Tiger and Fox Is Late). He is not new to the practice of venerating insects--his graphic novel series Sir Ladybug (about a ladybug knight who is heroic but shy) debuted last year.

Andy Chou Musser (Butterfly) is the author-illustrator of A Home Under the Stars, his debut picture book, which received a starred review from Kirkus Reviews and a silver medal from the Society of Illustrators of LA. He's co-creator of two new series: Science Explorers (the first book is Search for a Giant Squid) with Amy Seto Forrester, and Ploof with Ben Clanton. Andy lives in Seattle with his partner and two cats, who spend a lot of time together watching butterflies and other critters zooming around the garden.