The Very Hungry Caterpillar
Common Sense says
- Eric Carle
- Picture Book
- 1970
Parents say
Kids say
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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 children love the colorful pictures that accompany the counting game story. They delight in turning the flaps and poking their fingers through the caterpillar holes.
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User Reviews
- Parents say
- Kids say
Perfect for 1 year olds up
terrible read
eric carle has done it again!
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, fatter, and turns into a lovely butterfly with wings the color of Swiss cheese, oranges, and cherry pie! Carle brings humor to the development of the 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 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 caterpillar's humongous appetite and his metamorphosis. If you were that hungry, what kind of food would you want to eat lots of? Why does the caterpillar need to eat so much?
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: March 11, 2020
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