Recommended for children 18 Months to 3 Years
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Author
Carle, Eric
Publisher
Penguin USA (1994; ISBN: 0-399226-90-7; Board book)
Description
One sunny Sunday, the caterpillar was hatched out of a tiny egg. He was very hungry. On Monday, he ate through one apple; on Tuesday, he ate through three plums–and still he was hungry. Strikingly bold, colorful pictures and a simple text in large, clear type tell the story of a hungry little caterpillar's progress through an amazing variety and quantity of foods. Full at last, he made a cocoon around himself and went to sleep, to wake up a few weeks later wonderfully transformed into a butterfly!
Why raising readers Has Selected This Book
The Selection Committee chose this classic book by Eric Carle not only for its bold illustrations, but for the introduction to numbers, days of the week and the depiction of a healthy appetite.
Although, a two-month old will not understand the content of this book, the child will continue to grow with it, following the journey of the hungry caterpillar.
Beginning at birth, talk with your child by "thinking out loud." This means describing what you are doing, and describing what your baby is doing. As your child grows, continue to talk with him or her about your common experiences, pose questions, and offer comments to extend thinking and understanding of new concepts.
Although, a two-month old will not understand the content of this book, the child will continue to grow with it, following the journey of the hungry caterpillar.
Beginning at birth, talk with your child by "thinking out loud." This means describing what you are doing, and describing what your baby is doing. As your child grows, continue to talk with him or her about your common experiences, pose questions, and offer comments to extend thinking and understanding of new concepts.
Questions
While reading a book such as The Very Hungry Caterpillar:
Comment on the book: "Wow that's a large strawberry," or, "There's a shiny red apple".
Describe what is happening: "That caterpillar is eating lots of food," or, "Now the caterpillar is going to eat the cupcake."
Once a child is familiar with the story, pose questions about it: "What do you suppose he will eat next ?" or, "Do you think that caterpillar is full yet?"
Comment on the book: "Wow that's a large strawberry," or, "There's a shiny red apple".
Describe what is happening: "That caterpillar is eating lots of food," or, "Now the caterpillar is going to eat the cupcake."
Once a child is familiar with the story, pose questions about it: "What do you suppose he will eat next ?" or, "Do you think that caterpillar is full yet?"
2 Reader Reviews:
This is a wonderful book. I have very fond memories of reading it to my own children; many, many times. We never tired of it.
I do question the age chosen to distribute this book, however. I think this book would be a better choice in the 15 month or older age range. I believe there are books that are a better fit at the two month visit.
- May 01, 2007I do question the age chosen to distribute this book, however. I think this book would be a better choice in the 15 month or older age range. I believe there are books that are a better fit at the two month visit.
What's not to love about The Very Hungry Caterpillar? Simple text and illustrations, sturdy pages. This was one of my children's FAVORITE books. We read it over and over and over (and over…). What started as a gentle read-aloud when they were very young became a book about numbers, the days of the week, colors, and foods as they got older. Unlike some other board books, this one grew with them — they never tired of it !
- Apr 30, 2007
