BaBa-Balu Belongs, Too

Learn About Butterflies & Belonging

March 14 is National U.S. Learn About Butterflies Day so let’s talk butterflies and transformation. BaBa-Balu Belongs, Too, is a story of a monarch caterpillar who doesn't fit in. He feels uncomfortable in his own skin which he grows out of five times. The other bugs don't play with him. This causes him to be sad, mad, and even bad. This book follows the process of metamorphosis including the scientific terms while telling a story of inclusion, acceptance, and becoming. The feeling of not being included is powerful. It can suppress the desire to move forward and live a full life. In this story, BaBa-Balu has a dream while he is snug tight safely in his little green burrito, or chrysalis. In his dream he experiences the wonderful feeling of inclusion where the other bugs play with him, eat lunch with him and he is invited to a party! This feeling of belonging makes him feel happy, complete, and causes him to stretch out his wings (wait! what? he has wings?) and to become the wonderful self he is meant to be. He has transformed from a cute little caterpillar to a beautiful butterfly! This book includes discussion questions at the end and the scientific terms related to metamorphosis and their definition. This is a wonderfully illustrated book that includes dual learning.