If book awards are given for value-for-money, ”The Very Hungry Caterpillar” will certainly win it. I’m not surprised then to know that this American classic published in 1969 has been translated into over 50 languages!
Reading this book, young children will learn:
- the metamorphosis/life cycle of an egg –> larva (caterpillar) –> pupa (cocoon) –> butterfly
- days of the week
- numbers 1-5
- different types of fruits and snacks
The richly illustrated book also encourages interaction with holes punched through each page, showing that the caterpillar has eaten its way through the types of food.
Another useful lesson is the stomachache the caterpillar gets after eating too many snacks on Saturday morning!
Buy “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” and other books by Eric Carle:
Initially, my son (at about 20 months old) wasn’t interested in the book until I asked him
“Where’s the caterpillar?”
That jumpstarted an eagerness to trace the caterpillar’s path from page to page. After reading each page, I’ll ask the above question and he eagerly points out the caterpillar emerging.
To encourage him to speak, I’ll prompt:
“Where?”
Sometimes, he’s lazy to point to the page and will only lift a little finger. I’ll ask in a puzzled voice,
“Where? Where’s the caterpillar? Show Mummy…”
He’ll say, “There!” and puts his little finger on the page
He also loves the Saturday page with all the colourful foods, which is the ONLY page I have cause for complaint as it’s got all the tempting, junk food found in American culture: a lollipop, a chocolate cake, cupcakes.
Oh, well, I’ve taken it as an opportunity to teach him about good nutrition, emphasizing that these are snacks to be eaten once in a while!
And also what happens if you indulge in too many snacks 
Rating: 
Follow-up activities:
- Fun and free craft activites for toddlers and young kids.
- English, science and math lesson ideas and activities for preschoolers and primary schoolchildren.
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{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
Good to hear they use it there
It’s a really good book!
This is one of the books that they use at Learning Garden. I never knew it was a famous book!
I love this book !
Kimberly have this book. IN fact , she has most of Eric Carle’s books. She used to love them so much. Now I am reading them to Ashley. I am glad that Ashley is a more attentive listener than KImberly.
I’ve seen his other books but didn’t really like them as much as this. Maybe another one…
I love these reading sessions but *really tiring* when he wants to read 3 books every night!
Three is the typical number. It would be good for me if it was 1 but the “greedy little one” will choose three. In the end, you meet in middle and end up reading 2 books. But really, aren’t we gonna be more happy if they read more? Can’t wait when they can just read all of these books by themselves. Sigh..;)
Ylre – Yes, I’m counting down to the days when we can both just curl up on the bed together with our own books
My son’s actually starting to read his books by him “self” i.e. holding the books, turning the pages and “reading” the words out himself. It makes me smile because soon he’ll turn to the story books and say “Mummy read!”
I love these magical moments together so will treasure them while he still wants his old Mum!