The Very Hungry Caterpillar
Funny, colorful look at caterpillar's development.
Parents say
Based on 15 reviews
Kids say
Based on 18 reviews
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this book.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Eric Carle's The Very Hungry Caterpillar is a beloved kids' classic that babies and toddlers adore. It teaches kids the days of the week and what food the caterpillar eats, and even offers a little counting lesson. It even carries a subtle message that healthy foods -- like a leaf -- are better for you, while eating too much sugary food could give you a stomachache like the caterpillar gets. Kids love the colorful pictures and the counting game as the foods are listed in sets (one apple, two pears, etc., up to five oranges). They delight in turning the flaps and poking their fingers through the holes the ever-munching caterpillar has left behind. The Very Hungry Caterpillar also lets readers identify different fruits and other foods, and match them with their corresponding colors in Carle's signature multimedia collage illustrations.
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What's the Story?
As the newborn caterpillar snacks through the pages (leaving behind a hole to stick a little finger through), he gets bigger and fatter, and then turns into a lovely butterfly with wings the color of Swiss cheese, oranges, and cherry pie! Eric Carle brings humor to the development of THE VERY HUNGRY CATERPILLAR, one of the first science miracles a child learns.
Is It Any Good?
Eric Carle takes the concept of metamorphosis and presents it in a fun, colorful way that young children can understand. He draws his audience in with an adorable caterpillar that eats everything, including cupcakes and lollipops. What kid can't relate to the caterpillar's plight: indulging in favorite foods and getting a stomachache?
Carle's unique mixed-media collages burst from the pages with broad brushstrokes and bright colors. The vivid butterfly spans two pages: Purple, blue, red, green, and yellow make up his richly textured wings. The caterpillar's friendly expression adds to the book's overall warmth and charm. A counting lesson is also included, as the foods are presented in number sets (one apple, two pears ... up to five oranges). The holes in the foods that the caterpillar has munched on draw little fingers into them, adding another kid-appealing dimension to this well-thought-out book.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about The Very Hungry Caterpillar's humongous appetite and his big change. Why does the caterpillar need to eat so much? If you were that hungry, what kind of food would you want to eat lots of?
Did you know that caterpillars turn into butterflies? Have you ever seen a caterpillar or a butterfly in a garden or park?
Which picture in the book is your favorite? Which food in the story do you like to eat?
Book Details
- Author: Eric Carle
- Illustrator: Eric Carle
- Genre: Picture Book
- Book type: Fiction
- Publisher: Penguin Group
- Publication date: January 1, 1970
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 2 - 4
- Number of pages: 30
- Last updated: August 2, 2021
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