It's hard to be Velma, the littlest Gratch, entering the first grade. That's because everyone has marvelous memories of her two older sisters, who were practically perfect first graders. Poor Velma—people can barely remember her name. But all that changes on a class trip to the magnificent Butterfly Conservatory—a place neither of her sisters has ever been. When a monarch roosts on Velma's finger and won't budge for days . . . well, no one will forget Velma ever again. Acclaimed and bestselling illustrator Kevin Hawkes and author Alan Madison celebrate everything butterfly—from migration to metamorphosis. Watch as Velma Gratch metamorphosizes from a timid first grader into a confident young scientist!
Elegance and wealth. Privilege and politics. The extravagance of the Butterfly Palace overwhelmed Lily’s senses and nearly smothered her painful memories. She pushed away her misgivings . . . She was perfectly safe in this huge house. Austin, Texas—1904: Abandoned by the love of her life and still mourning the loss of her mother, Lily Donaldson has turned her back on the pain and come to Austin for a fresh start, working for the Marshall family as a kitchen maid in their luxurious mansion, the Butterfly Palace. The tasks before her are legion, and her mistress less than pleasant, but at least Lily’s new life will be, if nothing else, distracting. But one night, while serving at a dinner party, Lily recognizes the man who abandoned her, Andy, her liaison from the livery stable, the blacksmith’s son . . . sitting among the distinguished guests. Though he recognizes her, Andy does not acknowledge her aloud, and Lily is left reeling, flabbergasted, and irate. But before she can get an explanation, the path of the Servant Girl Killer swerves very close to the Butterfly Palace, sowing terror among the maids. Having come to Austin to start anew, Lily suddenly feels trapped in a spider web. How can she know who to trust in a house where lies come dressed in fine suits and deceit in silk gowns the colors of butterfly wings? “This story about the importance of having faith, especially in your darkest hour, is recommended for fans of Amanda Quick and Sandra Brown and for readers who enjoy romantic suspense and historical fiction.” —Library Journal
John and Brea have lived very different lives. His began as a near orphan in New York City, where he became involved with, and practically raised by, the mob; accepted as a man of honor by his fellow mobsters, young and old. His involvement in an incident, one resulting in the death of his childhood friend, lands him in prison. He now wears not only some physical scars, he carries a consuming agony and guilt over this night that took the life of his friend. Brea Rhodes is a golden girl, a sweetheart of Hollywood. A famous starlet, she is swarmed by rumor-hungry paparazzi; despite her success, however, theres something sad about the young beauty. After his release from prison, John accepts an offer from a senior fellow mobster, and also fatherly figure to John, to head out west and tend to a faltering businesshe, seemingly by chance, runs into Brea one day at a deli. He also makes the acquaintance of enigmatic Hollywood agent to the stars named Gabe. Something about John interests Gabe, and Gabe invites John to a fancy celebrity gala hes hosting. Brea also happens to attend, and soon John and Brea find they have more in common than they imagined. Their love affair is rapid and passionate. They cant get enough of each other, and John feels the need to keep her protected from his past and from the paparazzi. Soon, turmoil resulting from the death of his fatherly, senior mobster back east, calls John home. He must now choose between the life he once lived and the life he hopes to start with Brea. What will his final alliance be, and will John be able to protect his butterfly from the oncoming storm? FOR THE LOVE OF A BUTTERFLY is a story of love, compassion, divine beauty and divine redemption. It is a heartfelt tale of love, with philosophical undertones that contemplate good and evil, right and wrong, pain, sacrifice, loneliness, and the divinity found in sincerity, found in truth.
Butterfly Kisses and Wishes on Wings is a listen-to or read-along book for children. It is a resource that can be give as a gift and used to educate and support any child who is facing the cancer of a loved one. The story line, as told through the eyes of a child, lends itself to a simple and clear understanding of cancer. Most important, however, is the lesson that teaches children to realize the power they have to be an active and integral part of a loved one's cancer journey.
Would you be able to recognize the symptoms of a genetic chromosomal condition that affects one in every 2,500 female births? Would you know enough about the condition to inform others? Information was not as available in the past, often leaving a non-informed mother to have no other option than to shove the issue in a closet of denial and lock the door to keep the unknown at bay. Frustrated with little known facts and a support system can leave a family to move on in life and not spend needless time in worry. After all, it was mostly seen as a cosmetic inconvenience rather than a major health concern. So what if some people are short. Loving a Leaping Butterfly invites you into the relationship between a mother and daughter affected by issues related to Turner syndrome as they traveled many times in the dark with little information. Discover how the condition can have a ripple effect on other family members as well. Loving a Leaping Butterfly will take you from the cradle to the grave with a story that can make a grown man cry. Journey with them through the ups and downs of life and experience how God uses times of trials, tribulation, wrong decisions, and great pain to minister to others in a way that is unique. Witness how nothing is an accident with a sovereign God who is the creator of every human life. Enjoy the victory of what is being done today to crush the ignorance of Turner syndrome and those who are dedicated to creating awareness and providing a global support system. What is it that makes many so passionate to provide a world for this and the generations to come? You will fall in love with those who are affected by this condition by seeing the world through their eyes as you discover how they are able to pollinate with the attraction to ultra violet colors of the world. Accept that their sense of urgency is not the same as those that take life for granted.
A Butterfly's Journey offers a unique approach to enduring the loss of a child, with the author’s diverse perspective as a multiple bereaved parent and support group facilitator. In this gripping memoir that commences with the day she got "the call" alerting her that her 21-year-old son had been seriously injured in a motorcycle accident, Hopkinson bares her soul in moving through a journey of grief that changed her life forever. She also gives families a reason to believe in their child's continued spiritual existence. With great skill, Hopkinson's approach helps bereaved parents and families understand the variety of ways grief can be felt, expressed and supported. For example, genders grieve differently and infant loss can be as traumatic as the death of an older or adult child. She gently reminds us to be tolerant: we all grieve in our own way and on our own schedule. Courageously sharing the impact of grief in her own life, Hopkinson reveals that her 30-year-marriage did not survive the untimely death of her adult son. Additionally, while going through a divorce that dramatically altered her lifestyle, her remaining son flunked out of college as a result of the loss of his brother. Like many bereaved parents, Hopkinson briefly contemplated suicide after these and other unexpected events. In A Butterfly's Journey, she details finding an inner strength she now believes has prepared her to handle any life challenge with greater ease. She also models how she found love, hope and happiness again by turning outward and helping others.
