‘Filo’s Butterflies’ by Litea Fuata

My read-aloud of Filo’s Butterflies, written by Litea Fuata and illustrated by Myo Yum, centered an experience that I think a lot of people can relate to.

Filo’s Butterflies combines a culturally-specific performance by Samoan young people with a universal feeling of nervousness around doing something for the first time. One of the things that I found very interesting was the way this book gave physical manifestation to young Filo’s feelings of nervousness. They appeared as actual butterflies (perceptible at least to him).

I think young readers will be able to relate to Filo’s experience with his “butterflies” as he prepares for a special performance during his aunties’ wedding.