The Dog Who Wanted to Be a Butterfly

What’s better than chasing butterflies? Becoming one.

Franklin knows he’s a dog. But that doesn’t stop him from wishing for the day he can become a butterfly. He loves the way they flit on the air and whisper through the sky. He wants to dance on a flower and flutter his wings back and forth.

With a little bit of magic and even a bit more luck, Franklin’s wish might come true. He discovers that eating chicken bones and jumping down the stairs won’t do the trick, much to his dismay, and almost gives up on his wish. Until one day he meets a magical butterfly who whispers the secret into his ear . . . and now that Franklin knows what to do—nothing can stop him.

In this delightful tale from Heather Sanderson with art by Gérome Barry, kids will enjoy the fanciful quest of a sweet pup who learns that wishes can come true in unbelievable ways.

Heather Sanderson writes books, teaches yoga, and walks dogs (including her buddy, Franklin) in Brooklyn, New York.

Gérome Barry lives in Paris where he writes, draws, and films colorful stories.

Buy the Book:

Hardcover book available:

Amazon: US, CA, UK, DE, FR, ES, IT, JP, AU, NL, SE, PL
Barnes & Noble (US)
Booksamillion (US)
Bookshop.org (US)
Waterstones (UK)

Buy directly from the printer.

Paperback book available:

Amazon: US, CA, UK, DE, FR, ES, IT, JP, AU, NL, SE, PL
Barnes & Noble (US)
Booksamillion (US)
Bookshop.org (US)
Foyles (UK)
Hatchards (UK)
Indigo Books & Music (CA)
McNally Robinson (CA)
Powell’s Books (US)
Walmart (US)
Waterstones (UK)

Buy directly from the printer.

Find an Independent Book Store Near You (CA)

Bookstores in Brooklyn, NY & NYC:
Books are Magic
The Center for Fiction
Greenlight Bookstore
McNally Jackson
The Strand

Featured In:

Publishers Weekly‘s Indie Spotlight: Picture Books, September 2025

Reviews:

“I am a second grade teacher and read this book to my class this spring when teaching about life cycles and pollinators in science and language arts. My students LOVED this book. They were able to identify two major themes in the book: that you can be more than one thing in life and to DREAM BIG!”—Cassandra S.

“The Dog Who Wanted to Be a Butterfly is an absolutely delightful read. Sweet, imaginative, and full of heart, this book beautifully captures the magic of dreaming big and embracing who you are. Heather Sanderson’s storytelling is gentle and uplifting, and Gérome Barry’s illustrations bring the journey to life with charm and whimsy. It’s the kind of story that stays with you — whether you’re a child or just young at heart. A lovely reminder that even the smallest dreams can take flight. Highly recommended!” —Nina G.

“This is one to add to your kiddo’s book collection for sure! Heather is a gifted writer, and this sweet book is no exception! You’ll want to add this to your kiddo’s collection and get a copy for your school’s library as well. The illustrations are also lovely! 10/10 recommend!” —Courtney O.

“Love this book! It encourages the reader to reach for their dreams while also staying grounded in family. I bought it for my granddaughter. I’m sure she’ll love it too!!”—Donna Cleary

“Kids need more positive stories with hope, dreams and happy endings. And this book was “paws”itively awesome.” —Marie V., Children’s Librarian

“This charming story of a dog who dreams of becoming a butterfly is both heartwarming and uplifting. It’s a delight to follow Franklin’s journey, as each attempt to become a butterfly is filled with humor and earnestness. A creative story with gorgeous illustrations and a lot of heart!”—Savannah Conroy

“A delightful story! Highly recommended for young readers and for anyone who needs a reminder that it’s okay to dream beyond what others expect of you.”—Vanja A.

“The Dog Who Wanted to Be a Butterfly by Heather Sanderson is a sweet, beautifully written story about Franklin, a lovable dog with an unusual dream—to become a butterfly. Kids will adore his creative attempts and the touching message about embracing who you are while still reaching for something more. With charming illustrations and a heart-filled ending, this book is perfect for ages 4–8 and a wonderful reminder that there’s more than one way to fly.”—Tracey M.

“This is a delightful story about a dog who wants to be a butterfly and his adventures as he metaphorizes into his dream. I’m looking forward to sharing it with the young people in my life.”—Peter Nosalik

“This is an elegant story of chasing dreams and being proud of one’s inner self. I bought a copy for the young dreamers in my family and one for my jaded and cynical self.”—Robert J. Affleck

Related Works and Links:

Creative Being: A Conversation with Gérome Barry
Follow Heather on Instagram
Follow Gérome on Instagram
Read a blog post about how this book started