If the cover doesn’t draw you in, given its beauty, or doesn’t convince you that The Painter’s Butterfly is cool book to read, and yet you still give it a try, you will find out that the chapters’ illustrations will settle the deal. The cards illustrated, after the title of that match the ideas that the chapter title gives out is a pretty nice detail to this book. Well thought, and well made.
The narrative of Rebecca Weber is fluid, light, steady and the impressions she gives to readers are filled with clear images of what the characters are going through, feeling and thinking. The more you read, the more you tend to realize that the narrative “grows” and strengthens in tone, carrying at times a philosophical/melodic flavor to it because of the metaphors used throughout the book that are nothing but gorgeous!
In less than two paragraphs, Rebecca paints enough detail into the story for you to know exactly what you are reading about, the intentions of the characters, the main character, the challenges she is facing, her goals, and the obstacles in her path. Impressive…
Personality traits fly off the pages without the author having to say much, so the show-vs-tell test was passed with high marks.
It’s rare to find a fiction book that talks about the life experiences of a foster kid, the system they are put into, and specially how they feel and how they see life. It’s hard to relate for many of us, because we are lucky enough, to have living parents and to have a family. Yet Rebecca took the time to write this out and make us understand a lot of these challenges in a way that we would, somehow, relate.
“Goodbyes are meaningless when you have nothing to miss.”
“How would it feel to put down roots: to attend school, do household chores, and make lifelong friends? To stride through the door at the end of a rough day into a warm, authentic hug?”
Is the book filled with dark moments, sadness, despair and the hurts of being in foster homes? No, not at all, lol. It starts that way, sure, and then there are two mysterious men in the fray, and then things start to get… painty and with sunshine. Trust us, hahahhaa, and it all starts with Ellie.
You see, as you read this magical book, you will start to find out that Rebecca Weber can create mystery in her characters easily, to the point that, as the plot advances, and all the light comes into the foreground, you, the reader, will be so pulled into the story, and the paintings, and the joys, that you won’t realize that some characters, have a hidden side to them. It will be hidden in small clues, left to subtly appear in interactions, so pay attention.
The Painter’s Butterfly is a middle-grade novel, and it deserves the title because kids can read this, teens can read this, and even adults can read this and relate. Of course, kids will be able to relate more as the main character is only 13, and there are lots of pets, yet the other main characters are adults.
It’s all fun and games, and hiding away from your caregiver (and its dog), until you find a magic easel that does, well, magic, and given that one has to prove that magic exists in order to be believed… , well, why not put magic to the test by creating a magic creature, out of the dark depths of folklore? Fun, eh? And letters to Van Gogh, love letters to Van Gogh. Yeah, no spoilers, you’ll read.
A theme, if not the theme, around this novel is very simple, but intricately carved into it, so as to not be obvious nor obnoxious. It’s subtle and impacts, drawing the narrative to us and moves the characters and their interactions, and that theme is love. You will feel it as you read and this is one of the most special, if not, magic things about The Painter’s Butterfly by Rebecca Weber. Very well done.
Humor? Yes, of course there’s humor, and Rebecca Weber pushes it to absurd heights at times, both in characters and metaphors, sometimes combining both for added effect, and each with a special kind of crazy.
“Nova was so joyful she felt she would burst like a popcorn kernel and rebound off the walls in sheer bliss, but instead gave him an enthusiastic nod.”
The Painter’s Butterfly is an example of how books should be written when they revolve around children and/or preteens. It’s a smooth ride, with bumps, emotional storms with lessons to take that will be useful for readers at this age, yet, light enough to be bearable even to the most sensitive mind, and you can see that Rebecca Weber took great pains to make it so.
The book can be read in one sitting and the chapters are short, to the point and move the story forward fabulously, enthralling the reader in the many mysteries it keeps presenting, so even the most distracted young mind will be curious when it starts reading. The illustrations added that touch of wonder in the reader’s mind. Great stuff.
A book about love, finding home, and letting go of the hurts that life throws at us and moving on, while opening ourselves to other people and growing stronger, The Painter’s Butterfly by Rebecca Weber was much better than one expected. Excellent work, and yes, you should grab a copy for your kiddo, or yourself, because this writer understands.
Pros:
- Smooth and light narrative
- Simple, yet, concise descriptions of both the scenes and the characters, to the point that you can see them and relate
- The focus never left the kids on the story, which is great given that there are adults here as well and this is a middle-grade book
- The lessons of love, forgiveness, trust, friendship and understanding were passed with top notch scenes and metaphors
- Great humor that will have both kids and adults laughing
- Rebecca didn’t shy away from showing the dark side of people and life, yet was able to balance that with lots of light and sunshine
- Pets made an important part of the book
Cons:
- None
Scribble's Worth 
Leave a comment