I was fortune to meet an inspiring woman who wrote an enchanting story about a monarch caterpillar she found in her back yard garden. Susie Vanderlip had planted milkweed. “I planted this… on a whim,” she says. “I had no idea it would bring me so much joy.”

In her backyard amongst the brightly colored milkweed flowers, she discovered, “Chester”, the monarch caterpillar. With a sense of purpose, she began to photograph and and document Chester’s amazing life cycle. She enjoyed watching Chester eat, and eat he did, with such determination and eagerness to thrive no mater what obstacles he encountered on his journey to become a butterfly.

Eat, Chester, eat!

The Story Of Chester Book and DVD

The Story Of Chester, The Monarch Caterpillar is a wonderful way to introduce children to the life cycle of the monarch butterfly. Included with the book is a real-life video that entertains children and adults alike. It carries a wonderful message about life purpose, determination in the face of bullying and the concern for nature’s creatures. Click here to order your own Story of Chester with narrated live-action DVD movie available.

Meet Susie Vanderlip for a book signing, video preview and stories about Chester the monarch caterpillar on February 11, 2012 at the Discovery Science Center, Santa Ana, California.