The Butterflies’ Promise, by Adam’s Daycare author Julie Ovenell-Carter, is the latest in a growing number of picture books written to help children deal with aging loved ones. Its story of Milly and her beloved Grandpa follows the tradition of Susan V. Bosak’s and Laurie McGaw’s Something to Remember Me By.

In happier times, Milly and Grandpa sit in his garden and watch the monarch butterflies, which return to his yard every year. Everything changes, however, after Grandpa suffers a debilitating stroke. Milly, loyal as the monarchs, faithfully visits him in his new seniors’ home, where with her parents’ help she creates a wheelchair-accessible garden. This act brings joy to all the home’s residents, and also attracts butterflies; the story ends with Grandpa and Milly again watching butterflies in his garden. At the back of the book, there’s a helpful page of information on monarchs, including the best plants to grow in order to attract them.

This highly sentimental tale endeavours to portray Grandpa’s experiences in the most positive light. He remains upbeat after his stroke, though he cannot speak or use one side of his body. His home is full of happy residents surrounded by loving friends and family. While this scenario is perhaps too optimistic, Ovenell-Carter does level with her audience: Grandpa will never be the same. As Milly’s father explains, “Grandpa needs lots of help now…. He even needs help to go to the bathroom.”

The simple style of the narrative suits children four to seven, though the length could have been trimmed to better suit the audience. Kitty Macaulay’s illustrations could also have used some paring down. Her garden scenes teem with whimsies like hidden flower fairies and butterfly nectar stands that delight but more often overwhelm.