The Rock and the Butterfly - by Kathy Stinson (Hardcover)

About the Book

In this meditative picture book about loss, a butterfly finds peace in the memories left behind by its friend, the rock.

Book Synopsis

The rock was always there...until, one day, it wasn't.

The rock and the butterfly are a perfect fit. The butterfly takes shelter on the steady rock after hours of flittering and fluttering, and the rock loves to hear of the butterfly's adventures after a long day of sitting in one spot. Then one day the rock isn't where it has always been--and the butterfly is alone. It can't find a comfortable place to rest, and it eventually collapses on the ground. When it wakes, the butterfly realizes that it is lying in the exact spot where the rock used to be, and it takes comfort in all that its beloved friend left behind.

Review Quotes

"A lovely story to share with a child when broaching the subject of loss...The illustrations that are created by Brooke Kerrigan are a beautiful complement to Kathy Stinson's words. Highly recommended."-- "CM: Canadian Review of Materials"

"Staggeringly impactful. It may be a story about a rock and a butterfly, but it goes beyond that simple premise, and speaks to the connection that bolsters life...I hope that parents and teachers will grab [this book] for meaningful discussions. I believe that it's a story that encompasses much depth that would make it a basis for numerous lessons, from those about loss and grief to visual literacy."

-- "CanLit for Little Canadians"

"Kerrigan's artwork complements Stinson's simple, lyrical text, depicting the rock's solidity while adding motion lines around the butterfly's vibrant wings. This gentle metaphor for loss will soothe children grappling with grief. It's a poetic, attractive package that will lull youngsters at bedtime but might also stimulate conversation. A moving, thoughtful meditation on life and loss."

-- "Kirkus Reviews"

About the Author

Kathy Stinson has loved reading all her life but was almost thirty when she discovered she loves writing too. She is the author of over thirty books for young people, including the classic Red Is Best and the award-winning The Man with the Violin. When not reading or writing, she enjoys photography, jigsaw puzzles, crosswords and walking her dog in the woods and fields near her home in Rockwood, Ontario.

Brooke Kerrigan has loved drawing ever since she was a little girl, so it seemed only natural that she would grow up to be an artist. Of all her creative endeavors, illustrating children's books is her favorite. Brooke has illustrated more than ten picture books, including the award-winning Wee Boo and the Blue Spruce Award nominee A Plan for Pops. Born in Toronto, she currently lives with her husband in the French Alps.