

Folkmanis® Monarch Life Cycle Puppet
Spring 2016 ToysThis skillfully designed puppet is certain to augment science units in elementary classrooms. The multi-zipper-pouched toy visually demonstrates the three cycles of the monarch-beginning with the chrysalis (where everything is zipped closed and only an outer greenish covering is visible), then to the caterpillar stage (where the first zipper is opened and everything else is tucked inside), then finally to the monarch butterfly, the only one with openings for hand insertions (in each wing). Children are fascinated with these transitions, and they quickly become adept at the zip-and-tuck challenge. Very young students will enjoy an association with Eric Carle's classic The Very Hungry Caterpillar with this puppet-or any number of other plentiful resources that can be pleasingly correlated for both fun and learning.