Already a Butterfly: A Meditation Story, Hardcover/Julia Alvarez

Already a Butterfly is a gentle picture book tale about self-soothing practices and self-confidence beliefs. With so much to do in so little time, Mari is constantly on the move, flitting from flower to flower, practicing her camouflage poses, and planning for migration. She's the busiest butterfly around. But does being productive mean she is happy? Mari couldn't say. The only way she feels like a butterfly is by acting like one. Little does Mari know, the secret to feeling like herself is simply to focus her breath, find her quiet place, and follow her instincts. With the guidance of a thoughtful flower bud, Mari soon learns to meditate and appreciate that she was a butterfly all along. Acclaimed author Julia Alvarez extolls the importance of mindfulness, reflection, and self-care for young children in this gratifying picture book, stunningly illustrated by award-winning artist Ra l Col n. Christy Ottaviano Books About the Author Julia Alvarez is the author of numerous bestselling and award-winning novels including How the Garc a Girls Lost Their Accents and In the Time of Butterflies , collections of poems, and works of nonfiction, as well as picture books. She has won the Pura Belpr Award, the Am ricas Award, the Hispanic Heritage Award in Literature, the F. Scott Fitzgerald Award for Outstanding Achievement in American Literature, and the National Medal of Arts. Ra l Col n has illustrated several highly acclaimed picture books, including Draw! ; the New York Times- bestselling Angela and the Baby Jesus by Frank McCourt; Susanna Reich's Jos ! Born to Dance ; and Jill Biden's Don't Forget, God Bless Our Troops . Mr. Col n lived in Puerto Rico as a young boy and now resides in New City, New York, with his family.