Molly is an 8 year old girl who is upset to learn that ÔWhippletree meadowÕ is to be excavated to make way for a supermarket. Conservation becomes of paramount importance to her and her new unusual best friend.
In her garden are 9 large sunflowers which she uses as a ÔhospitalÕ for butterflies and any unfortunate insects that have been injured in one way or another. Here they are tended by ÔnurseÕ Molly until they are well enough to fly away.
After the rescue of a Holly Blue butterfly from the clutches of her cat Mr. Tibbs, she places it on a sunflower leaf to recover and an unusual transformation happens with Molly becoming a ÔsectÕ herself.
With the help of Holly Blue they fly off to muster support from the many creatures whose homes are in Whippletree meadow. Here she meets many unusual characters and has adventures beyond her wildest dreams.