• Age: 3 to 6
• Grade: p to 1
• Reading age: 3 to 6

When a little girl moves to a new town, she finds a place called Butterfly Park. But when she opens the gate, there are no butterflies.

Determined to lure the butterflies in, the girl inspires her entire town to help her. And with their combined efforts, soon the butterflies -- and the girl -- feel right at home.

Elly MacKay's luminous paper-cut illustrations and enchanting story encourage community, friendship, and wonderment in the beauty of everyday life.

Free poster on reverse side of book jacket.

Elly MacKay creates tiny worlds from cut paper, ink and light, which she then photographs. Her work explores themes of nature, childhood and the imaginary. Elly’s work has been featured in international publications, including O: The Oprah Magazine, Chatelaine and Cosmopolitan. She grew up in a converted church in the countryside by Georgian Bay, Ontario. She now explores the same rivers, forests and beaches with her husband, Simon, and their two kids, Lily and Koen. For more information, visit www.ellymackay.com.

Elly Mackay's profile page

"Each intricately detailed page is like some tiny, delicate stage set, with a blurred background suggesting an even wider world beyond.”
—The New York Times Bookshelf

"Centered on the park's elaborate art nouveau gateway, MacKay's lyrical paper collage and diorama constructs feature layered details and out-of-focus backgrounds for a sense of depth. Brightly patterned butterflies, delicate flowers, and human figures pose like gracefully off-balance dancers. . . . Worthy of theme and equally pleasing to the eye and the spirit."
—Kirkus Reviews

“MacKay's artwork recreates the feel and pleasure of Edwardian-era illustration, and lovers of picture-book fantasy will embrace it.”
—Publishers Weekly

“The settings are intricate—the Butterfly Park entrance gate is a thing of beauty—and MacKay's sense of composition is spot-on.”
—Bookpage

“The real treat here is the art. MacKay in in top form, and readers will delight in the mix of colours, textures, and perspectives she employs in creating the visual elements of this lovely book.”
—Quill and Quire