Worm and Butterfly Are Friends Always: Ready-to-Read Graphics Level 1

by Kaz Windness

Best friends Worm and Butterfly must spend time apart in this Level 1 Ready-to-Read Graphics book—the sequel to Theodor Seuss Geisel Honor Book Worm and Caterpillar Are Friends.

Worm and Butterfly are best friends. Worm says best friends stick together, but Butterfly has to fly somewhere warm for winter. Can they still be friends when they are far apart?

Ready-to-Read Graphics books give readers the perfect introduction to the graphic novel format with easy-to-follow panels, speech bubbles with accessible vocabulary, and sequential storytelling that is spot-on for beginning readers. There’s even a how-to guide for reading graphic novels at the beginning of each book.

Genres: Friendship, Graphic Novels, Picture Books, Fiction

64 pages, Paperback

Published January 13, 2026

Reviews

[Penny Schneider · Rating 5 out of 5]

This continuation of the beautiful friendship between Worm and Butterfly is absolutely adorable. This does not disappoint. Gorgeous art, beautiful friendship story, sprinkles of great fun facts and a whole lot of fun!

[Stan Yan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This cuter-than-cute book is a stellar followup to the Geisel Honoree, Worm and Caterpillar are Friends that gives me all the feels of the first book, and back matter that ties nicely into the story that precedes it. This series of books are books I would recommend to anyone's family.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

My 8 year old daughter had no trouble reading this.

[The Page Ladies Book Club · Rating 5 out of 5]

Warning: Massive cuteness overload ahead, parents and educators! 🚨📚👇

If you’re looking to refresh your little one’s bookshelf for summer, I’ve got the ultimate round-up of early readers, picture books, and board books that my kids and I have been absolutely devouring lately.

We kicked things off with The Wild Stallion by Terri Farley, a gorgeous spin-off to the classic Phantom Stallion series that had us dreaming of wild horses galloping through snowy mountains. For our tiniest readers, Rumble! by Lola M. Schaefer is a total blast-off success about a rocket heading to space with super simple, high-energy words.

If your kids love graphic novels, Worm and Butterfly Are Friends Always by Kaz Windness is a heartwarming sequel about long-distance friendship that actually made me a little teary-eyed For pure beach vibes, The Favorite Hat by Ariel Bernstein cracks us up as two elephants find the wildest multi-use hacks for a single beach hat.

We also couldn't stop smiling at Loops by Jashar Awan, a beautifully relatable picture book about a big kid trying to master tying his new shoes, and Go Bananas! by A. B. Peele, which is an infectiously silly, rhythmic read-aloud chant that will have your whole family yelling go, go bananas! Finally, for wind-down time, the bilingual board book Mi Cielo, My Sky by Dori Elys is a stunning, tender love letter between a mother and her bebé that is perfect for bedtime snuggles.

There is truly something for every stage of childhood in this stack!

✨️Thank you, Simon Kids and the amazing authors, for sharing these books with us!

[Laura Roettiger · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved, no L-O-V-E-D! WORM AND CATERPILLAR ARE FRIENDS which I read when it was first published. Now I have the pleasure of reading these books with a new reader and have fallen in love all over again. So I brought both WORM AND CATERPILLAR ARE FRIENDS and WORM AND BUTTERFLY ARE FRIENDS ALWAYS home this week. The joy of experiencing these two books through the eyes and heart of a six year old ... magic. The story of Worm and Butterfly has some serious heartache as the seasons change but never fear, because Kaz Kindness introduces another character and more science in this deeply emotional story that has a happy ending. We have read these twice and I'm quite sure we'll be reading them again tonight. And of course, we both admire the artwork. Highly recommend.

[Charlotte · Rating 5 out of 5]

Big fans of graphic novels in our house!

Mini aloha: I love that butterfly flies to a warm place but even though worm gets sad, he makes a new friend and then butterfly comes back!

Momma aloha: Brightly colored and easy to read, Worm and Butterfly was a charming story about saying goodbye to friends. We’ve also navigated some friends moving away for brief time periods and this would be the perfect companion to navigate still being friends through distance and later being reunited.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful sequel to Worm and Caterpillar. In this book, Worm and Butterfly are forced to separate because of the cold weather. It's hard but they learn to move on while not forgetting their friendship. And what joy when they are reunited! A lovely friendship story about making new friends, keeping old friends, and forming a family. Also don't miss the interesting information at the back about worms, butterflies, and birds!

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy Reader. Butterfly and worm are friends but then butterfly has to go to Mexico for the winter, Worm makes new friends while he misses Butterfly. I thought this one was ok. The reading level is good, but I found the story abit staggering in a few places. But there was definitely a plot which is nice in these types of books.

[Roben · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is winter and butterfly has to leave Worm and fly south to Mexico. Worm has to stay behind which makes Worm sad. But one day, Bird appears! Fortunately, this bird does not like to eat worms! Now Worm has a new friend for the winter until... it is spring! And Butterfly is back. And everyone can be friends!

[Koralsea · Rating 5 out of 5]

A delightful sequel to the first Worm and Caterpillar. The colors are amazing as usual and the story is easy for little ones to follow. I highly recommend!

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

Charming with a capital C---wonderful sequel, companion title

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is adorable. I love how they make new friends but are still friends with their old friends.

[Marcie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like the inclusion of the how to read and science in this one. I had not heard of the Ready to Read Graphics series.

[April · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sweet friendship story! Interesting, too!