Common Sense Media Review
Funny, colorful look at caterpillar's development.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 2+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 16 parent reviews
Parents say this book is a beloved classic that captivates young readers with its colorful illustrations and engaging story, making it highly recommended for early childhood education. Many parents and educators appreciate its educational value, particularly in teaching counting, days of the week, and introducing various fruits while also noting its appeal across different age groups.
- educational value
- engaging story
- colorful illustrations
- suitable for all ages
- encourages counting
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
Based on 14 kid reviews
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 :
- 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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