“Madame Monarch” by Sylvia Wetherby Haley’s, 30 pages, $12“It’s Okay to Be Sad” by Kathleen Nicoletti Haley’s, 54 pages, $12.95

Haley’s Publishing recently released two appealing, colorful books for young people.

“Madame Monarch,” by Sylvia Wetherby of Wendell, is a follow up to “Polly Gone.” Wetherby wrote and illustrated that book last fall. It featured an unusual sleuth: Percival Porcupine.

In “Madame Monarch,” Percival helps his friend Clarence Crow solve the mystery of the disappearance of a lovely greenish jewel-like item on an apple branch. They learn that the jewel was a chrysalis and meet Madame Monarch, a stunning butterfly who emerges from it.

In charming, fictional form (and with bright illustrations), the book teaches young readers about the habits of crows … and even more about the life cycle of monarch butterflies.

Percival and Clarence are amazed to learn that Madame Monarch plans to journey in the fall to Mexico. The two animals have never wandered much beyond their woods, let alone thousands of miles to another country.

Madame Monarch is very proud of herself and her will to survive. So would anyone be who could travel so far on her or his own steam. Her tale will undoubtedly inspire youthful readers to seek out monarch butterflies and admire not just their beauty but their endurance.

The second book, “It’s Okay to Be Sad” by Kathleen Nicoletti of Athol, is told from the point of view of a child whose father has just died. According to the publisher, Nicoletti was inspired to write the book after her own adult son died suddenly, leaving three children.

The book’s press release explains that Nicoletti read a lot of books for adult readers about the process of grieving and was inspired to write about the topic for youngsters like her grandchildren.

The book is illustrated with colorful embellished stick figures by Dr. Jane Gagliardi, a psychiatrist and internist who grew up in the village of Tully in Orange.

The book follows its young protagonist as she expresses disbelief, grief, hope, and a sort of acceptance. She addresses her father directly, wondering how he could have left her this way – and hoping that somehow she can talk to him in heaven.

Sometimes she cries. Sometimes she stomps. Sometimes she is very quiet. Sometimes she feels guilt. Eventually, as she works her way through different reactions to her father’s death with the help of adults around her, she expresses the hope that sometime in the future she will feel happiness again.

“As for right now,” she concludes, “I know it’s okay to be sad.”

“Madame Monarch” is available at sylviawetherbybooks.com and at other online retailers, as well as at Haley’s in Athol.

“It’s Okay to Be Sad” is available at Katydidbooks.net, at other online retailers, and at Haley’s in Athol.

Tinky Weisblat is an award-winning author and singer. Her most recent book is “Pot Luck: Random Acts of Cooking.” Visit her website, TinkyCooks.com.

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