On Thursday 20th March The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle celebrates its 45th Anniversary! If you don’t have a copy at home and you have children under 5 years old, then this story has to be top of your list for the next trip to the library or bookshop. The 45th Anniversary is a great reason to read this story and even if you know the story well, this time of year is perfect for revisiting the book. It is a classic Spring story, a tale of new life, of growing up and a wonderful introduction to the lifecycle of a butterfly.
Eric Carle’s vibrant collages bring the story of the caterpillar to life, starting with a tiny white egg on a leaf.
The sun shines and a caterpillar pops out of the egg. He begins eating everything in sight: an apple; pears; plums; strawberries; and oranges.
Then the little caterpillar moves on to a feast including an ice cream cone, salami, and even a cupcake! Look at the poor little caterpillar’s face when he gives himself a stomach-ache…
After all that eating the caterpillar isn’t so little anymore.
He builds a cocoon and stays hidden.
Then he emerges as a stunning butterfly.
The metamorphosis of a caterpillar into a butterfly is an incredible change and even as an adult I find it fascinating. The Very Hungry Caterpillar tells the tale of this transformation with detailed simplicity and the book is captivating. Weaved amongst the story and the illustrations are opportunities for play, counting, days of the week and discussing science, time, colour, growth and life. Every reading is a joy and we are enormous fans of this story and many other books by Eric Carle.
Talk about
Reading the Very Hungry Caterpillar could be the beginning of a discussion about growing up or simply enjoyed as the journey of the little egg to the beautiful butterfly.
Here are some ideas or questions that you might want to use to start a discussion in your family. You know your family and which questions they are ready to tackle now and which can be left for another day:
- How does the caterpillar begin its life?
- What happens to the little white egg?
- Why do you think the caterpillar is so hungry?
- Why does the caterpillar get a stomach ache?
- What happens to the caterpillar inside the cocoon?
- If you were a caterpillar what would you like to eat?
- If you could change into any animal or insect what would it be? Why?
- What did you look like when you were a baby?
- What do you think you will look like when you are a grown -up?
- What is it like to be a grown-up?
Crafts and activities for kids
There are lots of opportunities for discussion, play and crafts inspired by The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle. You can even get your own caterpillars and watch them grow and change, then release your butterflies into your own garden. Our caterpillars arrived last week and are slowly chomping and growing and we are observing and talking about them every day. The arrival of our caterpillars has created great excitement and motivated us to try lots of crafts and enjoy lots of play.
Have a look at the Pinterest Board full of crafts and activities for kids…
or take a look at these activities to accompany reading the book:
- Read and Create The Very Hungry Caterpillar Finger Puppets
- Here Come The Girls The Very Hungry Caterpillar Threading
- A Mummy Too Bead and Pipe Cleaner Caterpillar
- Thinly Spread Cress Caterpillars
- Jennifer’s Little World The Very Hungry Caterpillar Collage
- Mummy Mishaps The Very Hungry Caterpillar Party
- The Fairy & The Frog A Very Hungry Caterpillar Party
- Eats Amazing The Very Hungry Caterpillar Lunchbox
This is a short video of Eric Carle talking about the message in the story of The Very Hungry Caterpillar
What have you been reading this week?
I can’t believe that The Hungry Caterpillar is celebrating its 45th anniversary! It definitely is a timeless classic that should be read to every young child as I did with my twins. In fact I have a wonderful Hungry Caterpillar babybook where I recorded all the special moments from their first year as well as all those special photos including their scans! Fabulous choice.
Kriss MacDonald recently posted…Princess Poppy
Ive just linked up with my round up of the very hungry caterpillar week we did a while back - definitely one our favourites!!
Rachel recently posted…How To Catch A Star Review and Giveaway
I love that you’ve got your own caterpillars
This is such a classic book ,we love it too!
Kate Williams recently posted…How to make Marshmallow Pops
They are so easy to look after and it is such an amazing process for children to watch. I totally recommend getting some caterpillars!
I’ve heard a lot about this book but as never had kids before never bothered to find the book. I dont mind caterpillars myself but when they are not on me or somewhere close to me
I love how you bring books to life (have I maybe mentioned this before).
This is a favourite of mine, and you know it must be good if you remember it from childhood (and I read a LOT of books). Would never have guessed it was 45 years old though.
Pinkoddy recently posted…Real life Maths - Counting Money
We love this book in our house! Your activities are wonderful
Thank you for sharing them.
This is still a firm favourite in our house. Love Eric Carle.
All three of my children have adored this, our copy is now much loved with nibbled corners!
Sonya Cisco recently posted…Bigjigs Mosaic Tray Review
WE love this book too. Absolute classic.
Liz Burton recently posted…Persil Cook With Kids Promise
LOVE love love the Hungry Caterpillar
great linky, thanks x
Mummypinkwellies recently posted…Mr Tumble’s Big Book of Counting: Review
Thank you for popping over, it is lovely to see what everyone else is reading x
THIS was my boys most favorite and best book and they could recite it by heart and now I can!
Jen aka The Mad House recently posted…Center Parcs, I think I love you!
This has always been one of my favourite children’s books. I still remember it by heart!
TwinsplusTwo recently posted…Fitting it all in - exercise and additional needs.
Wow I do not realise that this book was 45 years old! It is a great book, in fact I remember reading it as a child too! Going to try and remember to link up as the twins are starting to sit and listen to stories
Kirsty - Hijacked by Twins recently posted…Cheap Budget Meals - Full of Veg Cottage Pie
Oh, how fun! My little ones would love watching a caterpillar! Thanks for the fun post! It is one of our favorite books.
45 years and still going strong!
This is one of Emmys favourite books. We reviewed a caterpillar kit last year although Emmy got upset when we let the butterflies go
Emmys Mummy recently posted…Free Birds Review and Giveaway
The Hungry Caterpillar is such a classic. We love it. Thanks for including our threading activity.
Rebecca recently posted…How to Make an Ice Castle for Elsa
This is one of my all time favourite books Kirtsy!
Mammasaurus recently posted…Happy clothes for happy kids
We love this book! It’s such a simple and lovely story. I’ve never seen the caterpillar/butterfly kit, I think we’ll definitely invest in one as F would love watching them grow. x
Lori recently posted…CONCRETE + GOLD
It’s one of my favourites Kirsty. i love how the children have enjoyed it at all different ages. I’ve not seen the video footage before!
Emma (My Little 3 and Me) recently posted…What Do Parents Owe Their Young…?
We love this book Kirsty. An absolute classic and a great read no matter how many times you read it! Great post, you’ve reminded me to get caterpillars
We love this book. It always has great memories for me as Elle used to call it “the hatter hatter book”
Keri-Anne recently posted…Let’s have an adventure V
Orli D says
Oh I love that book! I can’t believe it’s 45 years old
Loved your post. xx
Orli D recently posted…Taking that next step
I used to love the Very Hungry Caterpillar as a child so nice to see it still going strong. x
Sarah Bailey recently posted…miamoo Travel Set: Review
We love this book and even had the Insect Lore caterpillars last year. I did an activity with the kids with the fruit the caterpillar ate…….didn’t realise quite how much there was lol
Kara recently posted…Worlds First Toast Army
Just love Eric Carle- a true artist
Becky recently posted…Trials of the Clutter House
We love this book and I can’t believe it has been around for so long! Great activity ideas too
Kizzy recently posted…#TheGallery Adventure
On of our (ahem MY?!) favourite books. And WE love getting the caterpillars each year. Such a beautiful experience.
Totally Maggy! I love this book too
I LOVE Eric Carle, actually we just got some Hungry Caterpillar bits for the shop too! x
Fritha Strickland recently posted…Bedroom in a box with Dulux
I love all his books.So simple but entertaining with the discovery of nature at the core of each book.
Aww I love this story. My eldest is 15 and we’ve had our copy since he was little. My twins are four and they’ve now ripped it! Grrr! The twins also did the caterpillar thing at pre school - it was fascinating! x
We love the very hungry caterpillar, in fact, Ella chose it again as last nights bedtime story. We’ve also made a board game based on the book and the girls want to make a caterpillar from cupcakes that we saw on Pinterest
Shell Louise recently posted…How does your garden grow? March 20th
I love this book so much, it was the first book I bought for my baby when I was just pregnant! Thanks for sharing some great ideas to enhance enjoyment of the book, and thanks for including my craft post
Jennifer recently posted…Simple paper plate Spring or Easter basket