The Digger and the Butterfly

From Joseph Kuefler, the acclaimed author-illustrator of The Digger and the Flower, comes a new book in his popular Digger picture book series, about a crew of building trucks who befriend a caterpillar and witness its metamorphosis into a beautiful butterfly. Perfect for readers who love the machines in Sherri Duskey Rinker’s Construction Site series.

Digger and the other big trucks work all day, smashing and building and transforming their jobsite.

But when a caterpillar weaves its cocoon onto Digger’s bucket, he is forced to stop and be still.

In the stillness, Digger begins to notice the world beyond his worksite. And when the butterfly finally emerges, it’s clear that Digger and his friends have also been changed forever.

The story includes an accessible guide to metamorphosis for young readers.

“The image of the clunky piece of construction equipment tenderly caring for the fragile plant gives the story charm, and so do its strong, simple images.” - Publishers Weekly

“The latest in Kuefler’s Digger series deftly melds mechanized wonder with a tender appreciation of the natural world. This gentle look at taking time to pay attention to nature relays its message without overt proselytizing, and as always, Kuefler’s bold, blocky illustrations bring the tale to life beautifully, imbuing his vehicular cast with verve and personality.” - Kirkus Reviews

Praise for DIGGER AND THE DUCKLING: “Kuefler is back with another sweet message, this one featuring a lost duckling who finds her way into the construction site—and the hearts of the busy trucks. Recommended, and not just for truck enthusiasts.” - School Library Journal

Praise for THE DIGGER AND THE FLOWER: “Kuefler imbues the text with the heart and soul of the best storytime fare… One couldn’t hope for a better tale of rebirth and regeneration” - Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

“Kuefler’s simply written and beautifully illustrated tale has a powerful message about the importance of the environment...A wonderful, inspiring tale, perfect for read-alouds.” - School Library Journal (starred review)