Published Work
Available wherever books are sold
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- Title: Mariposa’s Journey
- Publisher: Little, Brown BFYR
- Release Date: September 29, 2026
- Author: Belen Medina
- Illustrator: Juana Martinez-Neal
- Age Level: 4-8, 40 pages
- ISBN: 978-0-316-16857-1
Experience the transformative journey of a child along the migration route of monarch butterflies in this beautiful homage to both nature and immigration, with breathtaking illustrations from Caldecott Honor-winning artist Juana Martinez-Neal.
The journey looms long and dangerous, but Mariposa is not migrating alone.
Every year when the cold winter months threaten, monarch butterflies embark on an incredible migratory journey from the northern United States and Canada to the warmer climates of southern California and Mexico. Every year, humans migrate too. For survival. For family. For a better life. The path will not be easy. Will Mariposa find the way to the warmth and safety of home?
Critically acclaimed author Belen Medina explores the interconnectedness of the migratory path of monarch butterflies alongside humans in a poetic text that honors all travelers. The richly textured artwork from Caldecott Honor recipient Juana Martinez-Neal make for a visually breathtaking odyssey.
An author’s note provides additional context about the indigenous Mazahua people of Mexico and their interactions with the monarch butterfly, as well as more information about the butterflies’ migratory routes and conservation status.
The Horn Book:
★ (…) In this poignant meditation on migration, Medina’s text seems to describe a monarch butterfly’s seasonal odyssey to “a safer climate.” Martinez-Neal’s striking illustrations, however, introduce another layer of meaning to the story (…) Martinez-Neal’s masterful use of color is impressive (…) —Starred review
★ Martinez-Neal’s softly textured illustrations are unsurprisingly resplendent, with bright oranges and shimmering blues glowing on brown backgrounds (…) An enormously creative and compassionate exploration a topic that touches all, both big and small. —Starred review
Genuinely affecting.
The book’s real triumph belongs to Martinez-Neal’s illustrations (…) produces spreads of deep emotionality (…) the monarch butterflies (…) wings burning like embers against the darkness (…) conveying vulnerability with heartbreaking economy. Most remarkable is a transcendent spread in which the girl literally becomes a mariposa herself—winged and airborne—entirely blurring the boundary between child and butterfly.
