Marcus and the Caterpillar
Since Marcus lives in the country a few miles out of town, he does not associate much with fellow students. For only one year, he and his family have lived on the acreage, and being new to the area has made Marcus more shy and reserved. He has no siblings, so he is accustomed to doing things on his own.
Like a caterpillar that goes through stages of transformation to become a beautiful butterfly, Marcus must do the same to come out of his shell of insecurity and reach out to friends. He comes to love nature, and by observing his environment, he learns about the butterfly life cycle. Without being aware of it, the experience of sharing his interest with classmates leads to his own change and growth.
About Margaret Smolik (Austin, Minnesota Author)
My family and I escaped Croatia during World War II, lived seven years in Austria, and came to the United States in 1952 when I was nine years old. War and new cultures impacted me deeply, and I had to overcome many challenges, but I was blessed with a variety of opportunities. I earned bachelor and master degrees at Drake University, Des Moines, Iowa, and taught English for many years including communication skills at North Iowa Area Community College, Mason City, Iowa. I am a certified copy editor and author of three books including a memoir about my early life. Several poems have been published in Lyrical Iowa, a yearly publication of the Iowa Poetry Association.
My husband and I raised four children in Osage, Iowa. I am active in my church and community and am a member of Alpha Writers, the local writers' club, Iowa Poetry Association, and Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators. I attend many conferences and speak to various groups about my memoir.
