Isabel’s House of Butterflies by Tony Johnston is a story about nature and humans struggling to coexist. The setting is a tree beside Isabel’s home. It’s a tree that Monarch butterflies depend upon for their very survival. Young Isabel cherishes the butterflies, and her mother thinks it’s a miracle that they return every autumn. Isabel’s Papa may need to chop down this precious tree and sell the wood for his family’s very survival. This year has had little rainfall—in the family’s garden, the “beans are few” and the “ears of corn are stubby and small”. It’s a heartbreaking choice. “It hurts my heart ,” says the father. “I love this tree. But I love my family more. We cannot eat butterflies.” Isabel has an idea that may bring in more money for the family and save the tree. Time will tell if her idea is successful. Susan Guevara’s paintings illustrate the family’s emotional conflict and the special Mexican landscape in which they live.
This story is read aloud online by Laura Rodriguez.
This lesson is read aloud on my YouTube channel.
