Just in time for the return of Pacific Grove's monarch butterflies comes a stunning new book devoted to our favorite fluttering wintertime visitors.
Monarchs in Butterfly Town, U.S.A., the latest release of Pacific Grove Books, offers more than 300 images of the Pacific Grove sanctuary, the coastline, the annual children's parade, and of course-monarchs, monarchs, and more monarchs. Clustered in eucalyptus trees, gathering nectar in a backyard garden, or honored in a pair of construction paper wings on the shoulders of an adorable kindergartener, these photographs are an exuberant celebration of everything we love about Pacific Grove and our monarch butterflies.
Monarchs is the third and final volume in the Life in Pacific Grove series, a true labor of love by Patricia Hamilton, owner of Park Place Publications and its imprint, Pacific Grove Books. The images were collected in a photography contest themed around four broad categories: the monarch sanctuary, butterflies around town, the natural beauty of Pacific Grove, and the annual Butterfly Days celebration. The final product features the work of 117 individual contributors.
This, however, is more than just a coffee-table book of pretty pictures. Monarchs also offers two fascinating and rarely seen works from our town's past. "The Butterfly Trees" is a delightful description of Lucia Shepardson's sixteen years observing the life cycle and habits of the monarch butterfly. Originally published in 1914, it was the first work to generate national and international interest in Pacific Grove's annual orange-and-black visitors. Also included is a booklet created in 1939 for the very first Butterfly Days celebration. Though the traditions have changed over the years, one fact remains the same-we love our monarch butterflies!
Monarchs in Butterfly Town U.S.A. is sure to delight visitors and residents alike, the ideal souvenir of an unforgettable vacation, a gift for a former resident who longs to return, or a reminder for a current citizen of just how lucky we are to live in this very special place.