This illustrated study of the swallowtail butterfly is part of the "Life cycle" series. It traces each stage of its life cycle from conception to adulthood, with information on where they can be found and defining the differences between the male and the female. Reproduction is covered, including information on eggs, feeding and growth. The work concludes with a section on keeping caterpillars, explaining their diet and how best to look after them and explains simple ways of investigating butterflys. The book is designed to be used in a number of ways; young readers can read or follow a text specially set in large type and older children can read the more detailed smaller type. In addition, younger children can "read" the pictures as the text is read to them. There is also a further a reading list, a glossary and an index.