In his first year of school, Francisco understands little of what his
teacher says. But he is drawn to the silent, slow-moving caterpillar in
the jar next to his desk. He knows caterpillars turn into butterflies,
but just how do they do it? To find out, he studies the words in a
butterfly book so many times that he can close his eyes and see the
black letters, but he still can't understand their meaning. Illustrated
with paintings as deep and rich as the wings of a butterfly, this
honest, unsentimental account of a schoolchild's struggle to learn
language reveals that our imaginations powerfully sustain us. La
Mariposa makes a subtle plea for tolerance in our homes, our
communities, and in our schools.