Module 6 - Very Hungry Caterpillar

Summary:

This children’s book is about the caterpillar life cycle.  The story begins with an egg on a leaf.  Then the caterpillar comes out.  The caterpillar begins his “adventure” of finding and eating a lot of food in the time before he is to cocoon himself and transform into a butterfly.  The food that he does eat is counted up to five.  The first day is one apple.  The second day is two pears and so on.  Then he eats some junk food and does not feel very well.  When he eats a leaf he feels better and then begins his transformation.


APA Reference:


Carle, E. (1969). The very hungry caterpillar. New York, NY:  Philomel Books.

My Impressions:

Well we own this book.  My daughter and I are butterfly fanatics!  This was one of the first books that she and I read together.  This book offers a few things to young children.  First the illustrations are very colorful and fun.  There is an opportunity to count, learn about different types of food and to watch the life cycle of a butterfly.  Then there is the underlying message about healthy or smart eating habits after the caterpillar gets a tummy ache from eating junk food.  We have always enjoyed this book and it was one of those that we just did not throw away.

Professional Reviews:

Publishers Weekly Review

In honor of the 40th anniversary of Eric Carle's The Very Hungry Caterpillar comes the first-ever pop-up edition of this book. When the familiar, tiny caterpillar pops out of his egg, a dial lets readers help him chug across Carle's earthy color palette. Next, the caterpillar eats his way through a week's worth of pop-up fruit, as well as a full-page display of sweet and savory treats, (resulting in a stomach-ache), before his eventual transition into a butterfly. The pop-ups, particularly a half-cylinder tree trunk that sprouts from the center of the spread and a large accordion-like cocoon, are well executed and engaging. While the prominent use of white space lends a sparser feel than in the picture book, the shimmering wings of the pop-up butterfly dazzle on the final spread. Ages 3-up. (Mar.)

The Very Hungry Caterpillar Pop-Up Book. (2009). Publishers Weekly, 256(9), 63.

(Note: It was very difficult to find a review.  The book hit 40 years and that was all I could find were the pop up book reviews and audio book reviews. The review shares about the book but in a pop up format that enhances the original story.)

Library Uses:

a.       This is the perfect book to teach elementary children the life cycle of a butterfly.

b.      This could also be used for a lesson on healthy eating habits.