Lexi the Butterfly

Lexi the Butterfly is an enchanting picture book that delivers a powerful message wrapped in gentle storytelling that speaks directly to young hearts. Through adorable animal characters brought to life with breathtaking illustrations, children discover that love makes a family—no matter how that family comes together. It is a universal message about acceptance, belonging, and the many forms love takes. This sweet message will resonate across all family structures.

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About Lexi the Butterfly

Twenty-four years ago, my husband and I embarked on a journey that would forever change our lives—the decision to adopt a little girl from China. With three energetic boys already filling our home with laughter, our hearts had room for one more precious soul.

During the waiting period, our family was camping on our property in the Colorado mountains. The backdrop was beautiful as we looked at Pikes Peak, a gorgeous lake, wild flowers and wildlife. While our boys took a nap, inspiration struck. In a simple notebook, sitting outside our camper, I penned a story that would become our family’s treasured tale. That evening, gathered around dancing campfire flames, I shared it with my sons. Their eyes sparkled with delight as they begged, “Again, Mom! Read it again!”—a chorus that would echo through many bedtimes to come.

After 18 months of paperwork, prayers, and patience, we finally boarded a plane to China to meet the daughter who already lived in our hearts. The moment she was placed in our arms, our family circle was complete. My dad, with tears in his eyes, called her “the cherry on top” of our family sundae—the perfect description for this sweet little girl who made our family whole.

As years passed, the campfire story evolved. Each of our children inspired a character, and even my husband found himself transformed into the wise owl and mayor in later versions. I had the joy of sharing this tale in my children’s classrooms, watching young faces light up at every reading.

As our little ones grew into young adults, the story was carefully tucked away—just a digital file sleeping in my computer. Until recently, when a series of heartfelt conversations and the loving encouragement of my now-grown children inspired me to finally breathe life into this long-cherished tale.

Adoption can sometimes feel like a delicate subject to discuss, but my deepest hope is that this gentle story will open doors to meaningful conversations and provide comfort to those whose lives have been touched by adoption’s beautiful gift.

At its heart, this is simply a story of love—transcending borders, circumstances, and biology. As you turn these pages, I hope you’ll be wrapped in that same warm feeling our family felt around that mountain campfire all those years ago, and that you’ll treasure the illustrations that now bring our family’s journey to colorful life.

Welcome to our story. Welcome to our heart.

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Reader’s Favorite Reviews

Lexi the Butterfly is a touching story that celebrates themes of family, unconditional love, and belonging. It emphasizes that family is defined not solely by biology, but by love and acceptance. The book also highlights the beauty of nature and the creatures in it. Sherri Crandall brings the story to life with a calm narrative that includes engaging elements. I love how Jo Jo directly addresses readers, welcoming them to his beautiful home. The illustrations are enchanting, depicting the vibrant landscape and lush greenery of the meadows. The characters are colorful and have distinct features that make them utterly adorable. This story encourages open discussions between parents and children about adoption and foster care. I enjoyed reading this book and highly recommend sharing it with your kids to teach them about kindness, inclusivity, and help young readers develop empathy and a welcoming attitude toward others.

Reviewed by Luwi Nyakansaila for Readers’ Favorite

Lexi the Butterfly by Sherri Crandall is an uplifting tale about family, love, compassion, new beginnings, and adoption. The writing is accessible and inviting. The story seamlessly incorporates warmth and charm throughout its pages. It will provide young readers with reassurance and solace as they navigate significant life changes, such as the adoption process and the search for acceptance. I adored every character in this heartwarming tale. They are all caring and easy for children to identify with. Jo Jo is a kind and dependable big brother, and Lexi is a delicate but brave little butterfly. Children who may feel uncertain about where they belong will relate to Lexi. Supporting characters—such as Jo Jo’s parents and Rusty—enhance the story with love and support from an adult’s perspective. Overall, Lexi the Butterfly is an endearing tale about kindness, empathy, and found family that will capture the hearts of readers, both young and old alike.

Reviewed by Makeda Cummings for Readers’ Favorite

About Sherri Crandall

Sherri Crandall is the Vice President of Global Ministries and Leadership Experience for The Mom Co. She is also an author, podcast host and speaker for women’s events across the country and internationally where she shares her passion for encouraging women to live life to the fullest.

Sherri loves to garden, read historical fiction, play a little golf and most of all hang out with her family and friends, even better if it is at a beautiful campground in the Rocky Mountains.

Sherri has been married to her husband, Rusty, for 39 years and they have 4 adult children.

“Lexi the Butterfly ” is Sherri’s first children’s book and is inspired by Sherri’s own family and their adoption story.

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About Beth Snider

Beth Snider is an illustrator from the Kansas City area where she lives with her husband who is an elementary school teacher and a Youtuber with an outdoor adventure channel. They have three sons, one daughter and an award winning black lab dog named Georgie. She enjoys creating delicious meals in the kitchen and staying active with her church family. When she’s not illustrating, you can find her on the couch, braiding her daughter’s hair, cup of coffee nearby, watching an episode of Little House on the Prairie.

Beth is the illustrator of several books in the Variety Tales series created for the nonprofit for kids with disabilities in Kansas City, ‘Variety KC The Children’s Charity’. She has illustrated 18+ children’s books including the multi-award winning, ‘Fly High: Understanding Grief with God’s Help’. This book won the 2023 Golden Scroll Children’s Nonfiction Book of the Year. It took 2nd place in the 2023 Christian Market Book Awards Nonfiction category. Also, it is a finalist for Christianity Today’s Book Awards, won a silver in the Illumination Book Awards, and is a finalist for the SELAH awards. It also won a gold medal in the ‘Living Now Book Awards” and was recently translated into Korean and Swiss as it makes its way around the world to new readers.

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What Others Are Saying

“This sweet story introduces the concept of adoption in a gentle, thoughtful way that kids can easily understand. The message is full of love, belonging, and hope—the perfect addition to your family library.”

Stacey Morgan

Mom of four and author of The Astronaut’s Wife: How Launching my Husband into Outer Space Changed the Way I Live on Earth

“This beautifully written and illustrated book is such a wonderful story of adoption, taking an issue that can be complex even to adults, and bringing it to back to the most simple and clear truth of all – that we are all loved by God, and family isn’t defined by what we look like. This sweet story invites you into the Hawk family with all the warmth, love and acceptance of the real-life Crandall family. It filled my heart, and I know it will stir yours as well!”

Lisa Steven

Founder and Executive Director of Hope House of Colorado
“Lexi the Butterfly by Sherri Crandall is a fantastic presentation of the heart-warming beauty and meaning of adoption and family. The hurt of a lost child, the tenderness of new brothers and friends, the love of adoptive parents, and the power of a supportive community lead readers through an emotional journey that truly is life-changing and spirit-lifting. It is one of the best books I have read that makes such a complicated matter like adoption so easy for youngsters to understand and to feel they are a part of it.”

Joshua Zhong

 

Co-founder & President of Cherish Children Adoption International

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Step 1 of 3

Price: $18.95
Help Support Wings of Change When you purchase a Special Edition copy of Lexi the Butterfly you can also buy an additional book for $15. Our donated books will be gifted to Cherished Children Adoption International and Hope House of Colorado. Providing children's books to newly adoptive families and teen moms. For more information about these two amazing organizations visit ccaifamily.org and hopehousecolorado.org
Price: $15.00

Lexi the Butterfly

Lexi the Butterfly is an enchanting picture book that delivers a powerful message wrapped in gentle storytelling that speaks directly to young hearts. Through adorable animal characters brought to life with breathtaking illustrations, children discover that love makes a family—no matter how that family comes together. It is a universal message about acceptance, belonging, and the many forms love takes. This sweet message will resonate across all family structures.
Buy Now

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