Inspired by a true story, Ellen is a helping hand on her father's fishing boat, but on the island, she boldly leads a mission to protect their declining Monarch butterfly population. When Ellen and her friends sow a simple milkweed seed, it sets off a remarkable series of events until nature delivers a mighty blow. Can Ellen, through the power of friendship, begin anew? Through education and community engagement, children learn about Monarch butterfly conservation and recovery efforts following environmental storm losses, replacing despair with hope in action. "Butterfly Island is well-told and illustrated. What an inspiring story of beautiful people and the nature they love." -Anurag Agrawal, James Perkins Professor of Environmental Studies - Cornell University "Ellen Federico's passion for butterflies continues to have an impact beyond her beloved Fire Island. This story will motivate children to join her. At the National Butterfly Center, we appreciate every effort intended to inspire people to connect with the outdoors and create healthy habitats that supports butterfly reproduction." -Marianna T. Wright, Executive Director, National Butterfly Center, TX "Ellen's passion for conservation is infectious, Butterfly Island inspires us to never give up on our dreams no matter what obstacles we face." -Danielle Merrill, Horticulture Teacher, Eastern Suffolk BOCES, NY Ellen Federico, writer, speaker, and certified Monarch Butterfly Conservationist, maintains sustainable habitats on Fire Island, New York. Ellen has been featured on NBC Today Show and The New Yorker magazine as The Butterfly Lady of Fire Island. She offers 'Milkweed to Monarch' workshops, private appearances, and is available to teach school groups with a live reading of her children's picture book, "Butterfly Island and the Invincible Crew." Tracy Dockray has illustrated over 30 children's books, including Beverly Cleary's Ramona, Henry Huggins, and The Mouse and The Motorcycle series. Dockray's "Bright Dreams," was selected by the NSTA and Children's Book Council as an outstanding science picture book. Her most recent title, "Butterfly Island and the Invincible Crew" was winner of the 2024 'Females of Fiction' for best interior illustrations.