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 you 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.

»Bestselling author Cornelia Funke has written a non-fiction book. About magical beings that have given wings to fairy tales and myths: Moths. The Illustrator Jessica Fracht has depicted them in vibrant colour as a symbol of renewal and rebirth.« Brigitte 

»After this declaration of love for the moth, a species as numerous as they are diverse, nobody will want to disturb their winter rest. But even those who don’t live in the countryside or have their own garden can leaf through this slender, beautifully designed book and marvel.« Irène Bluche, rbb

»This enchanting volume from the Insel-Bücherreihe series is made even more beautiful by the wonderful illustrations by Jessica Frascht.« Sächsische Zeiutng

»Over just 110 pages, this stunning art work of a book does tells real-life fairy tales and stories of unthinkable beauty and of the little miracles all around us …« Elke Heidenreich, Bunte

»Beautiful and shimmering, dark and mysterious: that’s how diverse the moth universe is that Funke and Frascht place under the spotlight before the marvelling eyes of the reader.« Manfred Hitzeroth, Oberhessische Presse

»In her non-fiction book Moths, the author Cornelia Funke wants to raise awareness of these multifaceted beings and even has a soft spot for clothes moths. … The artful illustrations by Jessica Frascht display the full beauty and resplendent colours of these delicate beings.« Wochenpost

»Beguilingly beautiful illustrations that are so luminous and fine that you almost want to stroke the sometimes downy bodies of the moths. … The book Moths makes you want to skip a night’s sleep, in order to get a chance to look at these delicate beings with new eyes.« Tobias Wenzel, Deutschlandfunk Kultur

»... Cornelia Funke enchants ... with a book about moths.« Für Sie

»In this non-fiction book, the famous novelist describes a host of fascinating moths, which are artfully illustrated by Jessica Frascht.« Garten+Haus