Papalote

Paplote: the Butterfly Goddess, is an illustrated poem/picture book about an ancient Aztec butterfly goddess. She creates and oversees all butterflies as they enter new born babes to bring them life. If the butterflies should die along their journey before they can ensoul the bodies, the babies become still-born. Papalote takes a young girl on a magical journey and urges her to help preserve the butterflies, which are all mysteriously dying. Children can learn how to protect the butterflies by ordering and planting free milkwood seeds and other flowers to help them survive. Filled with colorful panoramic illustrations, the tale is told through poetry and song, or Flor y Canto style, which was named for the Aztec poetic vision of literature as a fusion of "flower and song.". Seed ordering information is found at the back of the book.