The Perfect Place
The story of Mozzie, the monarch butterfly, and her fall migration from Spirit Lake, Idaho to Pacific Grove, California.
The story of Mozzie, the monarch butterfly, and her fall migration from Spirit Lake, Idaho to Pacific Grove, California.
The story of Mozzie, the monarch butterfly, and her fall migration from Spirit Lake, Idaho to Pacific Grove, California.
Welcome to the world of Mozzie and the hundreds of thousands of other monarch butterflies that migrate each year. I live in Pacific Grove, California, historically, a perfect place for monarch butterflies to overwinter year after year. I wrote this book due to the lack of literature available on this particular topic, hoping to fill the void.
Furthermore, monarch conservation has grown increasingly more important, over the last few years, due to the sharp decline in the western population of monarchs. This is attributed to an array of factors, many of which are challenges created by humans. I hope this book will inspire children and adults alike to protect and preserve the critical habitat of the monarch butterfly. It may be as simple as planting native flowers, sources of nectar, which all pollinators need to thrive and survive!
Annually, I have been lucky enough to guide school groups through the monarch sanctuary, throughout the monarch season, to help them better understand why the monarchs come to this Perfect Place and many like it along the west coast. I’ve also been honored to share my book with classrooms around the Pacific Grove area as well as children and adults alike around the world!
“Aurelia (4) checking to see which are male and which are female. Such a gift. She wants to take it to her next show and tell!” - Gemma, parent
“Thank you, Stephanie! What a beautiful book — in both pictures and words. I am so touched that you gifted it to me. Also, I want to let you know that I think the title is perfect. It captures the essence of the monarch overwintering story.”
“What an amazing book! Each word seems to be handpicked for a perfect story in A Perfect Place. You are so talented, creative, and gifted.”
“Stephanie Edenholm is passionate about our special town, Pacific Grove, CA, and the Monarchs that spend the winter here. With her writing, she engages the children and the adults! I’ve read The Perfect Place several times and learned so much about the uniqueness of these amazing visitors. The illustrations are beautifully drawn. The book takes you through their life cycle that is very easy to understand. It is also a perfect introduction to the natural world and all of its wonders. The questions she asks at the end are a perfect way to summarize the story and add to the children’s appreciation for the monarch’s difficult journey each Fall to arrive in this “Perfect Place!”
Stephanie sharing The Perfect Place and knowledge about monarchs with 3rd grade classroom at Monarch Elementary in Taylors, South Carolina.
“You did it! Your book is wonderful! What a great story! And great illustrations! You chose the illustrator well. Granddaughter Katie and I will enjoy it very much! Katie spent so much time there when I was either visiting the Sanctuary or working that she would tell people “Monarch things” just like a Docent!
I thought that it was interesting that I can see the different parts of the pathways at the Sanctuary in the illustrations, rope, and stakes, etc. And the trees look great. The Monarchs are so lifelike. You just outdid yourself, Stephanie!”
“Thank you for our gift! My 4th grader LOVED his surprise today. The story of Mozzie is sweet and touching. Nick also commented on how beautiful the illustrations are.”
“We loved the book you sent us, thank you!!! We gave one to our school library and they were happy too!” -
Zavier (9) Auckland, New Zealand
“Thank you for the book! I love it so much.” -Milla (6) Auckland, New Zealand