Patricia Polacco’s The Butterfly is a haunting and deeply moving picture book set in German-occupied France during World War II. Based on the true experiences of Polacco’s aunt Monique and her mother, Marcel Solliliage, the book tells an important story about the heroism of the French Underground and the devastating impact of the Holocaust at a level and in a format that children can understand.
The story begins with an eerie encounter as young Monique awakens one night to find a mysterious “ghost child” sitting in her room, stroking her cat, Pinouff. The child vanishes as suddenly as she appeared, leaving Monique wondering what she has seen.
The next day, Monique’s innocent world is shattered when, on her way home from school, she and her best friend stop in at the candy shop to see the jovial Monsieur Marks. Right after he gives each girl a piece of candy, Nazis in tall boots storm in, dragging him away amidst shouts of “Judenschwein” (Jewish pig).
Many nights later, Monique awakens with a start, seeing the ghostly child sitting on her window seat, petting Pinouff. This time Monique befriends the child, Sevrine, and discovers that she is a Jewish girl hiding with her family in Monique’s cellar. The two form a bond of friendship and shared hope in the face of danger.
Tragedy strikes when a neighbor observes the girls sitting in the window one night. Terrified, the girls wake Marcel, and she and the local priest act swiftly to smuggle Sevrine and her parents into the countryside under the care of the Resistance. Sadly, only Sevrine survives the journey.
The title comes from butterflies that were present in various interactions between Monique, Sevrine, and Marcel. Each time, the butterfly symbolizes hope – even when the crude Nazi soldier catches one and crushes it in his gloved hand.
Polacco’s signature illustrative style brings the story to life with emotional depth, blending shadowy, somber tones to convey the ever-present danger, contrasted with bursts of color from butterflies and flowers used to symbolize hope and resilience.
The Butterfly is more than a story about war—it’s a story about friendship, bravery, and hope. Its true-story roots make it especially poignant, offering readers a child’s perspective on the Holocaust in an age-appropriate yet honest way. This book is an excellent resource for introducing children to the holocaust, the moral courage of ordinary people, and the enduring power of hope amidst unimaginable hardship.
Ideal for readers aged 8 and up, The Butterfly is a must-read for families, educators, and anyone seeking a meaningful story with timeless themes of compassion and bravery.