Kiri loved to draw and paint and make things," but when her Auntie Lu sends her an origami book and paper, no matter how hard she tries, she can’t seem to fold a butterfly. Disappointing artistic endeavors are a universal theme of childhood, and any child can learn from Kiri’s creative persistence.

When Kiri tears the beautiful purple origami paper she intended for her first butterfly, she puts all the squares away and practices folding butterflies from notebook paper and squares cut from magazines and newspapers. She also draws with chalk, paints, and makes things from clay. In short, she doesn’t let her first unfortunate experience with origami detract from her delight in creating beauty. Even when she makes a muddy puddle in a watercolor picture — and who hasn’t done that? — Kiri uses the origami paper not only to salvage her work, but to challenge herself.

Cathryn Falwell, author and illustrator of numerous award-winning children’s books, based this story on her own childhood experience of receiving a box of art supplies so beautiful it took years before she dared to use them. Fortunately for her readers, she took the chance. Her illustrations for Butterflies for Kiri are eclectic and delightful, much like Kiri’s. Instructions for making an origami butterfly are included. This book, along with origami paper, would make a wonderful present for any child who loves art.