The Very Hungry Caterpillar

THE ICONIC #1 BESTSELLER • The all-time classic starring the world’s favorite caterpillar! This beautiful, sturdy board book is a perfect gift for new babies, baby showers, birthdays, and other new beginnings!

One of The Atlantic’s 65 Essential Children’s Books

“Gorgeously illustrated, brilliantly innovative.”—The New York Times Book Review

In the light of the moon a little egg lay on a leaf.
One Sunday morning the warm sun came up and—pop!—out of the egg came a tiny and very hungry caterpillar.

So begins the journey of Eric Carle’s most beloved storybook character. Follow along as one of nature’s loveliest marvels eats his way through an amazing variety of foods as he prepares to grow into a beautiful butterfly! Children will love the strikingly bold, colorful pictures against a simple text in large, clear type. Featuring interactive die-cut pages, this board book is the perfect size for little hands and great for teaching counting, days of the week, and the concept of change as a positive and necessary part of life.

Eric Carle is acclaimed and beloved as the creator of brilliantly illustrated and innovatively designed picture books for very young children. His best-known work, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, has been translated into more than 80 languages and sold over 60 million copies. Carle illustrated more than seventy books, many best sellers, most of which he also wrote, and more than 180 million copies of his books have sold around the world. In 2003, Carle received the Laura Ingalls Wilder Award (now called the Children’s Literature Legacy Award) for lifetime achievement in children's literature. In 2002, Eric and his wife, Barbara, cofounded The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art in Amherst, Massachusetts, a 40,000-square-foot space dedicated to the celebration of picture books and picture book illustrations from around the world, underscoring the cultural, historical, and artistic significance of picture books and their art form. Eric Carle passed away in May 2021 at the age of 91. His work remains an important influence on artists and illustrators at work today.

"In the light of the moon a little egg lay on a leaf." So begins Eric Carle's modern classic, The Very Hungry Caterpillar. More than 12 million copies of this book have been sold in its original, full-sized edition, and the beloved tale of science and gluttony has been translated into 20 languages. This five-by-four-inch miniature edition is truly tiny, with tiny type, but it is a nice size for small hands to hold and flip through the pictures. Despite its diminished state, the book is complete in every detail, following the ravenous caterpillar's path as he eats his way through one apple (and the pages of the book itself) on Monday, two pears on Tuesday, three plums on Wednesday, and so on, through cherry pie and sausage--until he is really fat and has a stomachache. And no doubt you know what happens next! Kids love butterfly metamorphosis stories, and this popular favorite teaches counting and the days of the week, too. A fun gift package for caterpillar fans. (Baby to preschool) --Karin Snelson

Eric Carle and Tomie dePaola: Author One-on-One

Eric Carle is the creator, author, and illustrator of The Very Hungry Caterpillar and many other children’s books. Tomie dePaola is the author and illustrator of Strega Nona: Her Story and countless other books. They recently had a conversation about their careers as picture book authors.

Tomie dePaola: When I was only four years old, I announced to my family in particular and to the world in general that I was going to become an artist, and write stories and draw pictures for books. I never swayed from that early declaration. I’ve always been curious to know, what inspired you to become a creator and illustrator of picture books?

Eric Carle: My career began as a graphic designer and for a number of years I worked as an art director for an advertising agency in New York. In the mid 1960's Bill Martin, Jr. saw an ad of a red lobster that I had designed and asked me to illustrate his Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? Well, I was set on fire! I was so inspired by this book, and the opportunity to illustrate it changed my life. After that, I started to create my own books, both words and pictures, and really it was then that I had found my true course in life.

Now, I have a question for you, Tomie. How would you describe your artistic style, and has it changed over time?

Tomie dePaola: My illustration style is heavily influenced by folk art--strong simple shapes, bold lines, color, color, color and a deceptive simplicity. My style began to develop early in art school, and through the years, it hasn’t changed very much, but it has refined itself. How would you describe yours?

Eric Carle: My aim with my work is to simplify and refine, be logical and harmonious. I like to use simple shapes, bright colors and a lot of white space. I write for the child inside of me. That is always where I begin.

The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle is a timeless children's picture book that tells the simple yet meaningful story of a tiny caterpillar's journey from birth to transformation. Through colorful illustrations and easy-to-understand language, the book introduces young readers to the concepts of growth, nature, counting, days of the week, healthy eating, and the life cycle of a butterfly. Although the story is short, it carries an important message about change, patience, and personal development.

The story begins one night when a small egg rests quietly on the leaf of a tree. As the warm sun rises the next morning, the egg hatches, and a tiny caterpillar emerges. The little caterpillar is very hungry and immediately begins searching for something to eat. His hunger drives the entire story, as he moves from one food item to another while growing bigger each day. The simple beginning captures the curiosity of young readers and sets the stage for the caterpillar's exciting journey.

On Monday, the caterpillar eats one apple, but he is still hungry. On Tuesday, he eats two pears, yet his hunger continues. Wednesday brings three plums, Thursday four strawberries, and Friday five oranges. Each day, the amount of food increases, helping children learn counting skills while also introducing them to different kinds of fruits. Despite eating more every day, the caterpillar still does not feel satisfied. His growing appetite reflects how quickly living creatures need nourishment as they develop.

By Saturday, the caterpillar's hunger becomes almost impossible to control. Instead of eating healthy fruits, he begins eating a wide variety of treats, including chocolate cake, an ice cream cone, a pickle, Swiss cheese, salami, a lollipop, cherry pie, sausage, a cupcake, and slices of watermelon. He eats so much that he ends up with a terrible stomachache. This part of the story is entertaining because of the unusual combination of foods, but it also teaches an important lesson about moderation. Eating too much, especially unhealthy food, can make anyone feel uncomfortable.

The following day is Sunday, and the caterpillar decides to eat just one nice green leaf. The leaf helps settle his stomach, and he begins to feel much better. This simple event gently encourages children to appreciate healthy eating habits and reminds them that balance is important. The caterpillar has learned from his experience, and after recovering, he is finally ready for the next stage of his life.

By this point, the caterpillar is no longer tiny. After eating enough food and growing larger every day, he has become a big, healthy caterpillar. Instead of continuing to eat, he builds a cocoon, often called a chrysalis, around himself. Inside, he stays quietly for more than two weeks. During this time, an incredible transformation takes place. Although nothing appears to be happening from the outside, important changes are occurring within. This stage teaches children that growth sometimes requires patience and that meaningful change often happens gradually.

When the caterpillar finally emerges from the cocoon, he is no longer a caterpillar at all. He has transformed into a beautiful butterfly with bright, colorful wings. The ending is joyful and satisfying because it shows that all the caterpillar's eating, growing, and waiting had a purpose. His journey has prepared him for a completely new stage of life. The butterfly symbolizes beauty, hope, and the rewards that come from growth and perseverance.

One of the reasons this book has remained popular for generations is its ability to combine education with storytelling. While children enjoy following the caterpillar's adventure, they also naturally learn numbers, the days of the week, different foods, colors, and the scientific process of metamorphosis. Eric Carle's distinctive collage illustrations make every page visually engaging, allowing young readers to connect words with vivid images. The interactive pages, with their holes showing where the caterpillar has eaten through the food, create a fun reading experience that encourages participation.

Beyond its educational value, the story carries a deeper symbolic meaning. The caterpillar's transformation into a butterfly represents personal growth and the idea that everyone changes over time. Just as the caterpillar must pass through different stages before becoming a butterfly, people also learn, grow, and develop through their own experiences. The book quietly teaches that change should not be feared because it often leads to something wonderful.

The story also highlights the importance of patience. The caterpillar cannot become a butterfly overnight. He must first eat, grow, build a cocoon, and wait before emerging transformed. This progression helps children understand that worthwhile achievements often require time and steady effort. It encourages them to appreciate the process of learning and growing rather than expecting immediate results.

Overall, The Very Hungry Caterpillar is much more than a simple story about a hungry insect. It is a beautifully crafted tale that introduces young readers to important life lessons in an engaging and memorable way. Through its gentle storytelling, colorful illustrations, and meaningful message, the book celebrates growth, healthy choices, curiosity, and the natural wonders of life. Its timeless appeal continues to make it a favorite for children, parents, and teachers around the world, reminding readers of all ages that every small beginning has the potential to lead to something extraordinary.