In a good picture book, the illustrations do much more than reflecting the text. They enlarge it, enrich it, and brighten it, gifting the story with great new meanings.

Not every illustration in a picture book manages as much, but sometimes, all the illustrations in a book do that, and more. This is an example of such a thing.

The story here is sweet and full of promise—despite being ridiculed, a caterpillar dares to dream he one day would fly—but it’s only when mixed with such wonderful illustrations—simple and stylish watercolors in a reduced palette of basic tones, red, blue green—that, much like its little main character, it takes flight, soaring through the clouds of our imagination.

I enjoyed this book very much. It’s one that I can read and reread and enjoy every time. It’s also a book where children can find meaning to their worries and answers to some questions.

Very much worth reading and very much enjoyed.

What I thought was a simple caterpillar life cycle book turned out be a sweet story with several takeaways.

I loved how worm and caterpillar embrace friendship inspite of their apparent differences. Also, I liked the subtle message that friends don't have to like the same things or even do the same things all the time. People change, situations changes and preferences change. It is a natural part of growing up and life in general. This acceptance can be really hard for little ones, especially the 3 to 6 year olds. However, believing in one's self is also critical to life. Had the caterpillar not heeded his "cryzzling" feeling, he might have worm's company a little longer, but is might have missed out on the bigger things in life - turning into a butterfly.

All in all, we, me and my 4 year olds, we found the book inspiring and enjoyable.

Thank you Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book. The opinions written are completely honest and my own.

A cute story with entertaining illustrations. I found myself looking at all the little details drawn on each page.

Caterpillar is going to metamorphosize from a caterpillar to a butterfly. Caterpillar tries to explain how it feels to chryzzle to worm, who does not understand. Caterpillar completes the transformation into a beautiful butterfly.

This is another resource to share with students about the transformation a caterpillar goes through to turn into a butterfly. I have recommended this story to some of you co-teachers who work with younger students.

I was given the opportunity to read this book by NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.

What a beautiful lesson about exploring the unknown! I loved the illustrations and the message, I'm sure many children will relate

I am so torn about this book. The art is adorable, but the story... Part of me was rooting for the caterpillar, but the other part of me was frustrated at the lack of boundaries. The fact that he was so dismissed. Man, f those guys who didn't believe in him. I swore I would write this review without spoilers, but I have all kinds of feelings and don't know how to organize them.

4 stars

This charming book tells the tale about following your dreams and becoming who you are meant to be. Andrew Bond uses poetry and imagery to tell this simple tale. Caterpillar says that it feels "chryzzled" to express how excited it feels strange and excited because it feels that it is about to change. The author's clever use of this word which resembles the word chrysalis foreshadows Caterpillar's metamorphism. As the story begins, Caterpillar is friends with worm. However, when Caterpillar starts to act strange and talk about change, the friend teases Caterpillar, and eventually goes away. But Caterpillar knows that it will soon be able to fly and that there is so much more to life than what it can see on the ground. This feeling is mirrored by the beautiful illustrations by Julie Volk. At first, we see simple drawings of the two creatures surrounded by the patch of grass that makes up their world. But as the story progresses, each illustration shows a slightly bigger view of the world around them. Also, the pen and ink line drawings are at first reminiscent of the illustrations in children's books from the fifties, starting off in mostly black and white with splashes of green and red. As the view of the world gets larger, so does the amount of color added to the pictures. In the end, Butterfly takes flight seeing a big beautiful world.

At first glance, one may think that this is a nature story about metamorphosis, but it is so much more. This story is an allegory which sends the message to be true to yourself. Parents and teachers can also use the story to discuss peer pressure. When Caterpillar starts to change, worm becomes quite mean and eventually they are no longer friends. The older reader can discuss the concepts of being yourself no matter what friends say. If friends are mean about who you really are, are they truly friends? The illustrations are so full of detail that would provide a fantastic game of "eye spy" where families can search the pictures for different items. The author is also a songwriter and the text to this book makes up the lyrics to a charming song. The QR code at the back of the book leads to a song page on the author website. I read a temporary online edition of this book for review purposes, but I can't wait to get a copy for myself.

Caterpillar Chryzzle by Andrew Bond explores the theme of change. Worm and Caterpillar are friends who spend their days together. Caterpillar begins to feel strange one day and climbs a branch. A very confused Worm asks Caterpillar what he is doing. The caterpillar informs Worm that he is chryzzaling. Despite feeling quite unusual, the caterpillar is also very excited. It is his belief that he will be able to take off and fly within a short period of time. When Worm returns with his wife, they laugh at Caterpillar's silly antics. In spite of this, Caterpillar declared, "There's so much more to life." The worms quickly tire of Caterpillar's chryzzaling and crawl on. As time goes on, Caterpillar emerges as a butterfly. Initially, he is crumpled, but he soon flies. Caterpillar says, "I stand a flying chance of reaching anywhere."

What a sweet book! I really enjoyed the delicate art style. I loved how this book was part science lesson and part philosophical pondering. There are lots of kids books about caterpillars and butterflies but I think this one stands out from the bunch.

Thank you to NetGalley and NorthSouth Books for an e-ARC of this title to read and review. Caterpillar Chryzzle follows the classic caterpillar's metamorphosis tale, with an extra element of friendship with a worm. There are pretty illustrations in a delicate style I haven't encountered before. As an adult reader, I think I can read into it a lot, of having a lot in common with your friends at a certain point and gradually changing so much that you only have your origins in common. Worm's also a little bit mean during the changes, which definitely tracks for adult friendships. But I'm a bit conflicted on how child readers will relate to it all, since these are pretty high concept reflections rather than on-the-page conflicts we work through as we read. I would say kids would have to already know about the metamorphosis cycle before reading, because it's not so much of a how-to.

The illustrations in this little book are interesting. In the beginning, the reader's viewpoint is up close and personal with Worm and Caterpillar. As the story progresses the viewer is slowly removed from the scene and views the action from a distance. I felt sad when Worm and his wife laughed at their friend and left Caterpillar alone to discover his destiny. Caterpillar pushes on to fulfill his destiny. I finished this book feeling conflicted; partially because the storyline language didn't flow easily for me reading it silently to myself. Perhaps if I had the song to sing along with it might have resonated better.

Caterpillar Chryzzle is a story about the metamorphosis of a caterpillar. In between the aquarel leafs live a caterpillar with their friends worms.

Page by page you follow the transformation of the caterpillar. With that transformation a distance occurs in the friendship. The worm doesn’t understand the philosophical language the caterpillar speaks and leaves in the end.

And the transformation to a butterfly happens. And the butterfly finds freedom and an enormous growing surroundings.

In the end of the story I couldn’t find the worm back in the pictures, that puzzled me completely. What happened to the friendship from the worm and the caterpillar?

Maybe this book tells the message of letting go of surroundings that you naturally outgrow. As a reader that open end of a friendship made me confused and a little sad. (Although this might give you an opening to a painting activity: draw and paint a few scenes to the story. What could happen next?)

The wonderful illustrations of Julie Völk tell a greater story than the words do. That makes this book great for search activities in school at the library or at home. On every spread there is a lot to see and discover.

Personally I would recommend to talk and ask (philosophical) questions around the story as the friendship vanishes so abrupt, that can lead to wonderful conversation.

Totally lovely is the fact that there’s a song in the end of the book. The sheet music, lyrics, instrumental and normal version of the song you can find at the website of Andrew Bond.

I thought this was a beautiful story about trusting yourself and doing what feels right for you, even if that's just based off a feeling. Caterpillar Chryzzle is full of charming illustration that help to move the story along! Definitely recommend if you have a kid in your life who loves bugs or if you're teaching a lesson about trusting yourself! Thank you to Netgalley and NorthSouth books for an arc in exchange for an honest review!

Thank you to Netgalley for the free arc!

I love the whimsical illustrations in this book! It is a very sweet story about a caterpillar and a butterfly and the different kinds of transformations they each make. It introduces readers to some good vocabulary. It also inspires kids to dream.

This enchanting children’s book offers a story of transformation with stunning watercolor illustrations that captivate the imagination. The artwork evolves beautifully alongside the narrative, beginning with lush greens that gradually bloom into a kaleidoscope of colors, mirroring the caterpillar’s journey. One particularly clever detail is the way the side image gradually zooms out as the story progresses, offering a subtle visual cue that there is always more to life than meets the eye—a perfect complement to the theme of metamorphosis.

At its core, the story is an exploration of change and self-discovery. Caterpillar’s instinctive “chryzzaling” feeling—a whimsical term that will delight young readers—speaks to the experience of growth and the uncertainty it brings. While Worm is a supportive friend at the beginning of the tale, he is skeptical and a bit mean to Caterpillar as he decides that he needs a change and then misses the grand moment of caterpillar’s emergence as a butterfly. I liked that Caterpillar stayed true to his wants and needs and didn't take what Worm thinks to heart, and I think that is a good lesson for younger readers.

The book’s text is simple, making it accessible for younger children while still offering layers of meaning for older readers. Its message—to trust your instincts, embrace change, and find the courage to soar to new heights—is conveyed with an elegance that will resonate with both children and adults alike.

Overall, this is a delightful read that blends artistry, emotion, and inspiration. It’s a perfect choice for storytime or as a gift for a young reader.

Review will post closer to release date (March 6)

A thoughtful Caterpillar "chryssals" and muses on the deeper meaning of metamorphosis, while Worm is skeptical. A completely charming take on the caterpillar-to-butterfly transformation, with lovely illustrations.

Thank you NetGalley and NorthSouth Books for this E-ARC of "Caterpillar Chryzzle" by Andrew Bond, releasing March 11, 2025!

The illustrations in this book are really nice. This would be a great addition to a classroom library to read while studying butterfly life cycles or for any home or public libraries!

Defintely check out this book when it releases!

Was beim Blick ins buch als erstes auffällt: alles ist grün. Die Raupe, die Gräser, aber auch die Blumen.

Was heraussticht ist Herr Wurm. Ein braun gestreifter Regenwurm mit einer großen Brille.

Raupe und Regenwurm sind gute Freunde. Viele Wochen lang im Sommer bis sich die Raupe plötzlich an einen Stengel hängt und nicht mehr loslässt.

Komisch, wie der Regenwurm findet. Lächerlich fast. Doch die Raupe, sie hält daran fest. Irgendetwas in ihr fühlt sich an, als würde das richtig und wichtig und als würde sich bald etwas ändern.

Als die Raupe dann noch vom Fliegen spricht hat der Wurm endgültig genug und lässt die verpuppte Raupe zurück.

Und verpasst: aus der Raupe wird ein Schmetterling.

Eine Geschichte, erzählt von Andrew Bond, vom Mut anders zu sein und dazu zu stehen, woran man glaubt und was sich richtig anfühlt.

Die Illustrationen von Julie Völk sind eine Mischung aus reduziert und viele feine Details. Auf viel Weißraum sind einzelne Elemente zwischen Realismus und jede Menge Fantasie.

The illustrations are beautiful and the underlying story line is good. But I don't think all kids will understand it. Maybe if there were facts at the end about how a caterpillar becomes a butterfly.
I liked the theme of believing in yourself and conquering your dreams as caterpillar turns into a butterfly.

Thanks NetGalley for this ARC.

The illustrations in this book are wonderful and whimsical! I loved how different they are from other children's books, yet still youthful enough to draw kids into the story. I particularly enjoyed the use of watercolors and doodles. The best part of the illustrations is how we start with a stalk, and with each page, the picture grows more and more, zooming out to reveal a bigger world around that tiny stalk.

The text of the book was difficult for me as an adult to get through. It almost reads like a poem rather than a story. While I do love the meaning behind the story—how we need to be patient and trust our inner instincts—the message falls flat due to the strange use of words. It feels more like a storybook written for adults than one intended for children.

Thank you to NetGalley, Andrew Bond, and NorthSouth Books Inc for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.