Butter Wants to Win
What’s inside...
When Butter the caterpillar loses a race, he wanders off to wallow in his sadness. But what he finds is a wishful idea that transforms his grief into confidence. Adorable and curious, Butter's story teaches us that not everyone can win, but everyone is good at something--and in Butter's case, that something is his imagination. Butter Wants to Win encourages children to feel good about themselves and teaches them that winning is an attitude, not just an achievement. With a focus on empathy, self-belief, and recognizing the winner in all of us, this story will encourage anyone to be their best!
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
5-9
Length
34 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
Why do you think Butter wanted to win so badly in the story?
How did Butter's friends react to his actions? What would you do if you were one of his friends?
What are some ways Butter could have handled his desire to win differently?
How do you feel when you win or lose a game? Why do you think you feel that way?
What do you think is more important, winning or how you play the game? Why?
Tip: Role play these questions
Start the conversation by sharing a personal story about winning or losing, relating it back to the book's themes.
Encourage your child to think about teamwork and sportsmanship, asking how they can apply these values in their own life.
Reinforce the idea that it's okay to want to win, but it's also important how we handle those feelings and treat others.
Highlight the consequences of Butter’s actions in the story to teach about cause and effect.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Understanding the value of teamwork
Explanation: Butter, the main character, learns that winning isn't everything and that working with others can lead to greater success than working alone.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by engaging in group activities at school or in sports, learning to cooperate and value each teammate's contributions.
Example Lesson: Handling disappointment gracefully
Explanation: Butter experiences disappointment when things don’t go her way, but she learns to handle it without resentment.
Real-World Application: This teaches children to accept loss or failure without discouragement, and to continue trying their best in future endeavors.
Example Lesson: Developing resilience
Explanation: Throughout the book, Butter faces various challenges but learns to overcome them with perseverance and resilience.
Real-World Application: Children can mirror this behavior in real life by not giving up easily when faced with difficulties, whether in learning new skills or dealing with interpersonal issues.
Example Lesson: Empathy and understanding
Explanation: Butter learns to understand and empathize with her friends' viewpoints and feelings, especially when they don't align with her own desire to win.
Real-World Application: This lesson can help children in developing strong, empathetic relationships with their peers, enhancing their social interactions and emotional intelligence.
Example Lesson: Celebrating others' successes
Explanation: As Butter learns the joy in celebrating her friends' victories, she gains a more communal sense of achievement.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to feel genuine happiness for others' achievements, fostering a supportive and positive environment around them, both at home and school.