The Turquoise Butterfly

Dr. Dale Atkins, author, former “Today Show” expert and psychologist is best known for sharing guidance on how to navigate life’s complicated questions and uncomfortable feelings. Now, she has a new mission: to help generations connect and experience the joy of being present.

Her new book The Turquoise Butterfly (Mascot Books; January 6, 2026), inspired by her mother, is a tender and uplifting children’s story that captures the beauty of love, nature, courage, grief, and transformation.

In the book, Grandma Sylvia is an enchanting figure who embodies the spirit of a vibrant butterfly. She’s warm and welcoming, fearless, and curious about everything. Her granddaughter, Victoria, often finds her belly fluttering when faced with new things and uncertainty. However, Victoria finds comfort in Grandma Sylvia’s unconditional love, support, and guidance. Together, they do many activities and experience their own metamorphosis, discovering ways to feel grounded, empowered, and self-reliant when handling all that life may bring even when feeling anxious about next steps and uncertain about change.

Woven throughout the story is the healing power of nature, offering gentle lessons about resilience and renewal. The butterfly becomes a luminous symbol of transformation, teaching young readers how to navigate loss, embrace shifts, and find hope in all life’s cycles. By connecting with nature, books, arts, swimming and other activities, young Victoria learns that grief can give way to growth and that love—like the seasons—endures.

A celebration of resilience, family bonds, and the eternal power of love, The Turquoise Butterfly is a heartwarming multigenerational tale that will resonate with readers young and old. Perfect for bedtime reading or as a meaningful gift, this story reminds us that even in the face of uncertainty – self-awareness, courage, and connection will always light the way.
– motherhood moment

“Original, exceptional, and a fun read from start to finish as it beautifully illustrates the profound and loving bond between a grandmother and her granddaughter, “The Turquoise Butterfly” is a truly extraordinary story and one that is a celebration of eternal love and transformation. The message of “The Turquoise Butterfly” is that change can be embraced with courage and resilience, and the transformative power of love can bridge any gap. “The Turquoise Butterfly” deftly explores our unique strengths and vulnerabilities in this heartwarming, multigenerational picture book story that is an especially and unreservedly recommended selection for family, daycare center, preschool, elementary school, and community library picture book collections for children ages 4-8.”
– MIDWEST BOOK REVIEW

“The Turquoise Butterfly is a beautifully told and gently illustrated picture book that follows a young girl and her grandmother through their shared summers together. The story unfolds in a soft, reflective way, showing how their relationship deepens over time through simple moments, traditions, and small acts of care.

The writing is warm and thoughtful, and the pacing creates a subtle sense of growth and change from summer to summer. The illustrations are lovely—soft, expressive, and full of gentle details that match the tone of the story perfectly.

While this book definitely leans into emotional territory, it does so with grace. It offers a meaningful conversation starter for children about love, family memories, and the passage of time. It’s heartfelt, honest, and very moving.

A beautiful, touching read that stays with you long after the last page.”
– Lana A

“The story shows a beautiful relationship between a grandmother and granddaughter. It shows how life can change like a butterfly. The story compared the grandmother to a butterfly, each summer Victoria didn’t know what to expect. It’s a story of love and transformation. It’s a story of loss, showing how our loved ones are with us even in death. It’s a wonderful book teaching children so many lessons and changes in life including loss. Children learn loved ones may be gone but not forgotten and that there are reminders of them.”
– Jane K

“Beautiful illustrations to accompany the storyline. Loved the sweet relationship and adventures of a grandmother and her granddaughter. Brief touch on grief and appreciated the perspective.”
– Heather S

“Heartfelt book. Grief and loss is inevitable. showing kids how to use it to help them get through it. This was such a great story, beautiful illustrations and I really thought it was well written. Thank you for sharing with me!”
– Elissa M

“The cover is beautiful and so detailed. Perfect pictures on each page to help set the scene. As someone who looks for blue butterflies for a family member of my own, this book made me feel right at home. I think it is a perfect way to teach children to make memories with our love ones while they are hear and cherish the memories when they have become our butterflies.”
– Aaliyah B

“A heartfelt book about love, loss, and legacy. What a sweet way to tell the story of a grandmother and grandchild’s bond. I loved how it showed that love and care knows no age and they were both able to help each other. The story does have a happy ending after the sad loss, but this is a topic we cannot shy away from, nor should we, with kids. Loss is a part of life just like love is a part of life.”
– Jennifer C

“The book has sweet little incidents of Victoria, a little girl, who visits her grandmother for the vacations. These cover cute little incidents and some unexpected events that make Victoria nervous too. But Victoria is able to handle it with her grandma’s help. As the grandma becomes old, the bond of love between them increases. Then there is a tinge of sadness as Victoria learns to understand the loss of a loved one and remember the strength that their teachings and memory brings to one, after they are gone. Sweet illustrated read for older kids.”
– SA K

“Yet another grandma-granddaughter story and I’m not complaining! It a great look on the relationship, their unique bond and chemistry on how the daughter spend her summer with grandma. Their connections and emotions is liken to a butterfly. In any relationship, their will be changes, and it’s good that the book shows it here….even the painful ones.”
– Nitoy G

“This was a wonderful story that follows a granddaughter and her grandmother. It was insightful to see their relationship as well how it had adapted through the years as the grandmother became older. I loved the symbolism for the butterfly as well as the beautiful illustrations. This story touches on loss and grief.”
– Amy M