Title: Cocoon
Subtitle: Water Child
Author: Veronica Red
Publisher: XlibrisAU
ISBN: 978-1-9845-0162-2
Genre: Illustrated Children’s Book
Reviewed by: Barbara Miller

Read Book Review

Cocoon by author Veronica Red is a perfect example of what an illustrated children’s book should be. Filled with a galley text of poetic rhymes and loving phrases, combined with a picture on every page, Red takes children’s imagination off into what must be one of nature’s most spectacular feats – that of the morphing of a caterpillar into becoming a butterfly.

Focusing on the cocoon aspect of the rebirth of the insect into a beautiful butterfly, Red brings the characteristics of the cocoon as being strong, safe and snug, yet able to both protect the insect inside from predators and the weather until it is ready to emerge in its new form as being essentially a character itself within the book. Yes, the cocoon is an amazing part of the butterfly’s life and often is not given the attention it “deserves,” as much as the butterfly itself. In the same way, for example, an eggshell is not given the attention to being the housing of a bird being developed. Looking at the cocoon as being the essential element enabling this amazing butterfly to grow is, in my opinion, a very clever observation brought to the attention of children. There are certainly many children’s books about butterflies, but this is the only one I’ve seen about a cocoon.

The illustrations have the simple quality of just enough detail to convey the story without unnecessary distractions, making this highly suitable for the younger years of when stories are being read to children at bedtime. At one point in the story, the little girl brings her guitar to the backyard, and sits by the tree with the cocoon, playing music for the insect to feel the vibrations of love. Not interfering with the normal timeframe of the morphing, the girl shows patience as she also witnesses the amazement of the butterfly emerging, opening its wings, and ultimately flying away. From my years as a lepidopterologist, studying the various types of butterflies, the one depicted looks as if it is from the Buckeye family, although the colors are a bit different – we will contribute that to artistic license.

The poetic beat of the words, combined with the images, creates the perfect balance of creativity to provide a comforting moment for children to drift off to sleep. In fact, rather than drifting off the children will fly away with their final thoughts as they fall asleep. Veronica Red informs readers about her personal spiritual connection to the world and how she hopes Cocoon will reinforce the appreciation of nature and the environment to all children, thus making the world a better place in the future.