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."

Caterpillar and worm are best friends. Throughout the book, Caterpillar keeps talking about feeling a change coming. He mentions ideas of flying and that’s when Worm thought his idea of change was ridiculous. Caterpillar continued on and changed into what he knew he was going to be.

This book develops a theme relating to dreams coming true. It also is a perfect example of growing within the environment you live in even if some do not agree with you.

Caterpillar Chryzzle is a beautiful rhyming story about staying true to yourself even during a time of change. The pages are filled with stunning watercolor illustrations that will hold attention throughout the book. A perfect spring season read!

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.

Join the caterpillar as it becomes a chrysalis and transforms into a butterfly. The story is about believing in yourself to transform, learn and discover new things. The story is very brief. The illustrations are wonderful and I enjoyed how each image zoomed out to give you a look at the larger area where the caterpillar was residing, and how it could navigate the larger space after transforming.

Caterpillar Chryzzle is a cute and educational story about the metamorphosis of a butterfly. Although the story doesn't start at the first stage (egg) of the metamorphosis, it still was an entertaining story regarding the science of butterflies.

I felt that the illustrations could have been "smoother." They just look like stick art at the moment and it might have an impact on how the story is perceived.

In any event, Caterpillar Chryzzle is a good picture book with a very fun and educational story. Three stars.

I was invited to read a DRC from NorthSouth Books through NetGalley. This review is completely my own and reflects my honest thoughts and opinions.

This book was really simple, but I enjoyed reading it! It also has a really heartwarming and important message. I think that many young readers will read this book and understand this message, which will allow them to apply it to their own lives. This is absolutely crucial, especially because the message is to trust your heart/gut/feelings and do what feels right for you. The illustrator definitely took this message and let it shine through in each and every picture, which made this book that much better. They used soft colors, bold lines, and all of this worked together to make a visually perfect book. The writing worked with it as well, and brought everything full-circle.

The illustrations in this book are gorgeous. I love how zoomed in the scenes start and as the caterpillar chrysalises the scenes zoom out to match his new perspective. A fun read and a beautiful message even though the rhyming was not intuitive.

I received an advance review copy for free from the publisher via Netgalley and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I absolutely LOVED this book, its therapeutic impact and the fabulous illustrations as well. Excellent for teachers, therapists, school counselors, and families too!

A cute story about change with lovely illustrations, this one will appeal to young children. Thank you, North South Books, for the ARC and opportunity to provide an honest review.