But yes, as an adult, I do indeed and well understand that the main "protagonist" that the very hungry caterpillar is never in any manner textually and narratively developed as a character, that he remains rather flat and one-dimensional throughout, and that he also consumes mostly food products that are not even remotely suitable for caterpillars (as they basically consume mostly leaves). However, I also and absolutely know and realise for a fact that when I was three years old (and had Die kleine Raupe Nimmersatt repeatedly read to me), whether the list of foods the caterpillar was eating was suitable and acceptable for butterfly larvae or not did not matter all that much to me (if at all), and that for the intended audience, both the text and the accompanying images of The Very Hungry Caterpillar are generally pure unadulterated joy, magic, and perhaps even perfection, with the final illustration, the beautiful and intensely coloured butterfly into which the erstwhile very hungry caterpillar morphs, being the ultimate icing on an already most delicious cake (and no food based pun is intended with this here allusion either). This is a wonderful book for very young children. It introduces sound educational themes such as counting, the days of the week, foods, (although Saturday’s feast is a bit of a fantasy!) and the life cycle and transformation of a caterpillar into a butterfly. It is simple but accurate, and has been endorsed by the “Royal Entomological Society”. First Day of Spring 2009 - Design by Eric Carle, archived from the original on May 9, 2022 , retrieved April 27, 2022

The book has won numerous awards including the American Institute of Graphic Arts Award in 1970, the Best Children's Books of England in 1970, the Selection du Grand Prix des Treize in France in 1972, and the Nakamori Reader's Prize in Japan in 1975. [17] The New York Times also cited it as one of the "Ten Best Picture Books of the Year" in 1969. [18]The Very Hungry Caterpillar's format allows for expansion into a classroom activity. [31] Children can engage in creative practice and storytelling by inserting their own foods and drawings into each day of the week. [31] Using the book's format, children can incorporate their own interests; thus, they are telling their own stories. [31] Sharing their renditions with peers, students again engage with storytelling. [31] Secondary school usage [ edit ] There have been multiple unique book editions, [47] with personalized features. Games, pop-up books, [47] a book/card game combination via University Games, [48] and an educational video game- The Very Hungry Caterpillar's ABCs – released by CYBIRD Co. Ltd. for WiiWare in 2010. [49] Inaccuracies [ edit ] Evaluation of Literary Elements (3-4 sentences in your own words): This book is ideal for early readers because of the counting principle and repetition. Young readers can follow along and build fluency due to the text and pictures matching each time. It is a creative introduction to science and keeps readers engaged. O'Brien, Susie; Hodge, Regan (May 29, 2022). "Popular children books deemed not culturally diverse enough". Herald Sun . Retrieved June 5, 2022. The book has been translated into more than 60 languages, [1] including Arabic, [8] Dutch, French, [9] Spanish, [10] German, [11] Japanese, [12] Italian, [13] Portuguese, Swedish, [14] Russian, [15] and Hebrew. [16] Reception [ edit ] Awards [ edit ]

Richards, Kel (June 1, 2022). "Kel Richards: Beloved children's classics are being sacrificed at the altar of politically correct wokery". Sky News Australia. Archived from the original on June 5, 2022 . Retrieved June 5, 2022. Eric Carle Collection". archive.ph. August 5, 2012. Archived from the original on August 5, 2012 . Retrieved April 27, 2022.

But his editor suggested that readers may not like a green worm very much, and suggested a caterpillar instead. The idea appealed to Eric Carle, and The Very Hungry Caterpillar is the result. a b The World of Eric Carle (TV Series 1993) - IMDb, archived from the original on May 2, 2022 , retrieved May 2, 2022 This book was used by former first lady Barbara Bush as part of her campaign to promote literacy. [38] In 1999, the pizza restaurant Pizza Hut asked 50 U.S. governors to name their favorite books from childhood. The then-governor of Texas, George W. Bush, named The Very Hungry Caterpillar, despite having been of college age at the time of its publication. [2] a b "Eat your heart out". the Guardian. October 22, 2004. Archived from the original on February 3, 2014 . Retrieved April 27, 2022.

I have so many fond memories of Eric Carle's books, especially "The Very Hungry Caterpillar." This is the book that spurred my own interest in entomology as a child. Every year I would find monarch caterpillars, feed them milkweed, and observe their seemingly magical transformation into beautiful butterflies. Each time a butterfly emerges from its chrysalis, spreads its wings, and takes its first flight is like a small miracle before your very eyes. a b c d Rhodes, Lynn K. "I can Read! Predictable Books as Resources for Reading and Writing Instruction." The Reading Teacher 34.5 (1981): 511-8. JSTOR. Web. The plot originated as a story called A Week with Willi the Worm, featuring a bookworm named Willi, which Carle was inspired to write after using a hole punch made him think of the insect. [3] Ann Beneduce, Carle's editor, advised him that a green worm would not make a likable protagonist, instead recommending a caterpillar. [4] [5] a b "The Very Hungry Caterpillar Pop-Up Book - Eric Carle - Penguin Group (USA)". April 25, 2009. Archived from the original on April 25, 2009 . Retrieved April 27, 2022.www.kibutz-poalim.co.il (in Hebrew). Archived from the original on May 2, 2022 . Retrieved April 27, 2022. Metrowebukmetro (March 20, 2009). "Hungry Caterpillar author on zoo maths". Metro. Archived from the original on April 27, 2022 . Retrieved April 27, 2022. Eric Carle's The Very Hungry Caterpillar is a perennial favourite with children and adults alike. Its imaginative illustration and clever cut-out detail charts the progress of a very hungry caterpillar as he eats his way through the week. This Book and CD edition includes an audio reading from Eric Carle himself.