Moths

Moths have inspired countless myths and fairy tales. They are viewed as envoys of the dead or even as incarnations of their souls. Depending on which story your choose to believe, they're supposed to bring good or bad luck. And yet, they tend to be viewed as the ugly stepsisters of the more glamorous butterflies, relegated to the dark of night, in which many – but not all – are active. We know them as pests that eat holes in our clothes or get into our food. But in this book, internationally renowned children’s author Cornelia Funke gives us a whole new perspective on these wonderfully puzzling creatures, with evocative names like the stained glass moth, the ghost moth, or the elephant hawk moth. Like bees, moths are important pollinators, and can be found in a unique array of colours and patterns. What’s more, they are genuine magicians of transformation – some species, such as the oleander hawk moth, transform five times while they are still caterpillars. This transformation, which sees the once-plump caterpillar emerging from the cocoon with graceful, translucent wings, has made moths into symbols of renewal and rebirth.

Cornelia Funke opens our eyes to the astounding world of moths, to their cultural significance and the role they play in the natural world. And the gorgeous illustrations by Jessica Frascht reveal these unique creatures in all their vivid splendour.