Releasing Butterflies at the Library

This May, I raised caterpillars into butterflies from a kit with the plan to release them into the wild at the end of the month. Maybe this is something you and your family did too!

When they first arrived in the mail, they were very small and hardly moved. But they had enough food in their container to help them grow quickly. And grow they did!

After about 10 days, the caterpillars twisted themselves into their chrysalides to begin their transformation.

And when they came out, they were beautiful painted lady butterflies!

For a few days, I waited for good weather and let them stretch their wings.

Once they were ready, I decided to release them at the Library, a place that means so much to us and I know that we’re all missing right now.

They had some trouble finding their way out, but once they did they took off!

It was their first taste of the outdoors, and they flew away so quickly that I wasn’t able to capture them in flight. They were very eager to go out and explore the world I know we all miss.

During this time especially, every small choice you make to help someone or something makes a huge difference. We look forward to seeing all of you at our Library again one day in the future! For now, please take care of yourselves and stay well.

Natalie Roche is a Youth Services Librarian at Morton Grove Public Library.