Rating: 10 of 10 stars
Gotta Go! Gotta Go! recounts the adventures of a creepy-crawly bug who eats, grows and takes the metamorphic sleep to butterflyhood, but always with the clear knowledge that she's "Gotta go! Gotta go! Gotta go to Mexico!" The infectious rhythm of that refrain catches the ear of kindergarteners and before long, they are leaning from side to side, chanting it along with the text.
GG!GG! follows the grown-up bug over rivers and streams, over cities and towns, across deserts and through dangers until at last she arrives. There she sleeps until spring when she dances with a boy butterfly and then heads back home where she lays her eggs. And when that egg hatches, "it is the reason for everything."
The basis for this charmingly-told story are amazing facts. Since butterflies cannot survive the cold weather in northern U.S. and Canada, they migrate to a warmer climate in order to hibernate through the winter. They are the only insect able to make a journey of 2,500 miles. In spring, they mate and return north to lay their eggs. Mexico is one of their two destinations. Monarchs from east of the Rocky Mountains travel to the fir trees of Mexico. Those west of the Rockies travel to Pacific Grove in southern California.
While the story only briefly outlines this adventure, it does catch the imagination of children through the magic of knowing that they, themselves, are bound for somewhere as well.
The short version of the facts, for kids:
http://www.monarchbutterflyusa...
This longer version explains the bigger story and the almost impossible-to-believe idea that those who find their way south to Mexico or California have never been there before. They are the great-great-grandchildren of the insects that flew north to lay the eggs. How is that possible? Find out at:
http://www.monarchwatch.org/ta...
Usual borrowers: Kindergarten, First grade
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