Description: Flutter, a caterpillar who has just moved to Bud Village, opens up the 'Salad and Magic Shop.' Mr. Hop-Hop the grasshopper, Busy-Busy the baby ant, and their friends all love the delicious salad and visit Flutter's shop every single day. But one day, the shop is closed. Days go by, and when the friends of Bud Village finally see Flutter again, they discover that the caterpillar has transformed into a beautiful butterfly — and at last they understand the true meaning of the 'Magic Shop.' Soon after, Flutter leaves Bud Village to get married, and a week later, the villagers receive an invitation to the wedding, which will be held in Hollyhock Village. Since Hollyhock Village is quite far from Bud Village, the friends worry about whether they'll be able to make the journey safely. Even in a single blade of grass or a small pebble that we pass by without a second thought, vivid little lives are breathing and thriving. The often-forgotten lives of tiny insects can enrich children's hearts in wonderful ways. When we look closely at the small, seemingly insignificant lives of insects, we discover that they too have their own order and rhythm. Through the transformation from caterpillar to butterfly — and through the unique traits and movements of small creatures — 'Salad and the Magic Shop' gently teaches children that even the tiniest insects carry wisdom and vibrant life force. Kazuko G. Stone graduated from Tama Art University in Japan and moved to the United States in 1973. She currently lives in New York and is the author of 'Salad and the Magic Shop,' along with several other books in her insect series.