Parents' Guide to

Ten Little Caterpillars

By Darienne Stewart, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 2+

Vibrant counting book doubles as a field guide.

Book Bill Martin Jr. Animals 2011
Ten Little Caterpillars Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this book.

Community Reviews

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age 2+

Based on 1 parent review

Teach and Inspire
Teach and Inspire Adult
May 7, 2012
age 2+

Teacher says "YES!"

This is a fun way to learn about counting and about the cycle of catapillars. Ehlert, as always, has a way with her art work that makes a story POP! This is a great read along with your little ones all the way up to second or third grade.

This title has:

Educational value
Great messages
See all 1 parent review

What's the Story?

Ten little caterpillars are introduced, one by one, as they search for good places to form their chrysalides. Some do well, wriggling among melons and flowers, but others are less lucky, running into a hungry wren or splashing into the sea. The 10th caterpillar makes his way into a fruit-laden apple tree, waits through the winter in his chrysalis, and emerges among the spring flowers as a tiger swallowtail.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (1 ):
Kids say (1 ):

TEN LITTLE CATERPILLARS invites comparisons to Eric Carle’s classic The Very Hungry Caterpillar, with munching critters and painted collage artwork. But this title holds its own on the same shelf, taking kids a little deeper into the tiny world of caterpillars. Illustrator Lois Ehlert, who also teamed up with the late Bill Martin Jr. for Chicka Chicka Boom Boom, beautifully depicts the plants where caterpillars are drawn to food -- and the creatures they might encounter along the way.

Large pages, bold pictures, and oversize print make it a great choice for reading aloud to a group. Unobtrusive labels identify plants, animals, butterfly eggs, and more. And the final pages identify each of the caterpillars, their favorite foods, and how they appear as butterflies -- an invitation to go explore the world of caterpillars right outside your door.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the different caterpillars and how they transform. In what ways do the butterflies and moths resemble their caterpillar forms? How are they different?

  • Look closely at the caterpillars and chrysalides. Talk about camouflage and coloring, and how the caterpillars’ appearance may help them in their preferred environments.

  • Take the book outside and see if you can identify eggs, chrysalides, caterpillars, or moths and butterflies.

Book Details

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