Butterfly Buddies

About the Book

This is the first in a series of children's books Sandra plans to write about monarch butterflies, their life span and migration journey.

About the Author

Sandra K. Mitchell was born and raised in Eastern South Dakota. She got her inspiration to write children’s books after the loss of her son, Corey. This first book of monarchs, Butterfly Buddies, is in remembrance of her son, and for her grandchildren’s Uncle Corey, whom they never got to meet. She sought to have her grandchildren relish nature’s beauty as their grandmother does.

Sandra’s son, Corey, was killed in a car accident when he was a senior in high school. When his sister got married Sandy and her husband, Brad, tried over and over to catch monarchs to release in Corey’s memory following her daughter’s wedding. Brad kept saying we will have monarchs. It seemed to be impossible, so they decided to release yellow balloons at the wedding.

Corey’s childhood friend, Kelly, was at the wedding. Sandy was outside by herself picking up things from the reception. Kelly came up to Sandy, along with three monarch butterflies. These butterflies hovered around Kelly and Sandy, as she told Kelly about their plan to release monarchs. Ironically, the butterflies that were so impossible to catch earlier, were right there with them. One even sat on Kelly’s shoulder for a bit. Kelly told Sandy, “Corey is with us.” The butterfly then flew by Sandy and his little wings touched her cheek. She instantly knew what a butterfly kiss was. The butterfly landed on her shoe and just sat there. Sandy used her camera to capture this picture of the monarch butterfly.

Sandra writes children’s stories so her grandchildren will appreciate their beauty as she does.