“Farfallina and Marcel” by Holly Keller
I can’t remember where I first came across a recommendation for Holly Keller’s Farfallina and Marcel, but it’s 3yo Guppy’s current favorite book. A caterpillar named Farfallina and a gosling named Marcel become friends, then are separated one day:
But one day Farfallina was not herself.
I’m not sick,” she told Marcel,
“just a little uncomfortable.
I need to climb up onto a branch and rest for a while.”
“I’ll wait for you,” Marcel called
as Farfallina made her way up the tree.
Marcel does wait, but as most parents know, Farfallina isn’t coming down immediately; there is a note at the beginning about metamorphosis. Marcel eventually gives up and returns to his pond. Farfallina wakes and looks for Marcel, but he is gone. The friends are sad at the loss, and don’t even recognize each other when they do meet again, though they eventually discover the truth.
Keller’s watercolors are simple and lovely, perfectly suited to this sweet, engaging tale of friendship that survives through change.