My Very Hungry Caterpillar

My Very Hungry Caterpillar: A Children's Learning Book

A classic children's picture book teaching basic counting, days of the week, and life cycle of a butterfly through a caterpillar's journey of eating and transformation.

What is My Very Hungry Caterpillar?

My Very Hungry Caterpillar is a classic children's picture book written by Eric Carle in 1969. It has sold over 50 million copies worldwide and has been translated into over 60 languages. The story follows the journey of a caterpillar as it hatches from an egg and begins eating its way through various foods like apples, pears, oranges, strawberries, and more over the course of a week. With each day, the caterpillar gets progressively larger until it is a "very fat caterpillar".

After developing a stomach ache from all the eating, the caterpillar encases itself in a cocoon and emerges two weeks later as a beautiful butterfly. The book's simple, repetitive storytelling, vibrant collage art, die-cut pages showing the caterpillar eating through foods, and focus on counting and days of the week has made it popular for early math and literacy lessons. Its themes about growth and transformation also make it a favorite book for teaching young children about the life cycle of a butterfly.

My Very Hungry Caterpillar has spawned a franchise of children's products and media including puzzles, toys, clothing, apps, television shows, and more that extend and adapt Eric Carle's timeless story and colorful artwork. It continues to be a staple children's book found on many recommended reading lists for toddlers and preschoolers over 50 years after its debut.

My Very Hungry Caterpillar Features

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