The Very Hungry Caterpillar: A Pull-Out Pop-Up
Eric Carle's Very Series
What’s inside...
This classic children's book follows the journey of a very hungry caterpillar as it eats its way through a variety of foods before finally pupating and emerging as a beautiful butterfly. The pull-out pop-up edition brings a new dimension to the story with interactive elements that engage young readers. THE all-time classic story, from generation to generation, sold somewhere in the world every 30 seconds! 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. When 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! The brilliantly innovative Eric Carle has dramatized the story of one of Nature's commonest yet loveliest marvels, the metamorphosis of the butterfly. This audiobook will delight as well as instruct the very youngest listener.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
2-4
Length
16 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
The Very Hungry Caterpillar
Discussion points
What do you think the caterpillar felt when he was so hungry?
Why do you think the caterpillar ate so many different foods?
How did the caterpillar change at the end of the story? What does this teach us about changes in our own lives?
If you were the caterpillar, what would you have eaten?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use expressive reading: Change your voice for the hungry caterpillar and the different days of the week to make the story more engaging.
Relate to personal experiences: Ask your child about a time they were very hungry and what they wanted to eat, linking it back to the caterpillar’s choices.
Discuss the importance of nutrition: Talk about why eating a variety of foods is important, and how it compares to the caterpillar’s indulgence.
Encourage empathy by discussing the caterpillar’s feelings throughout his journey and relate them to emotions your child experiences.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Growth and Transformation
Explanation: The story follows the journey of a caterpillar transforming into a butterfly, illustrating natural growth and change.
Real-World Application: Children learn to embrace growth and change in themselves and in the world around them, understanding that it is a normal and beautiful part of life.
Example Lesson: Importance of Nutrition
Explanation: The caterpillar eats various foods before finally becoming full and turning into a butterfly, highlighting the importance of eating well.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to try different foods and understand the role of nutrition in their own growth and health.
Example Lesson: Patience and Timing
Explanation: The caterpillar's transformation occurs gradually and at its own natural pace, teaching patience and the importance of timing.
Real-World Application: Children learn the value of patience and that some things, like personal development, take time to mature and should not be rushed.
Example Lesson: Counting and Numbers
Explanation: As the caterpillar eats through increasing quantities of food, the book introduces basic counting and numbers.
Real-World Application: This helps children practice counting and begin to associate numbers with quantities in a fun and engaging way.
Example Lesson: Cause and Effect
Explanation: The narrative links the caterpillar’s actions (eating) to its growth and eventual transformation, teaching children about cause and effect.
Real-World Application: Kids understand that their actions have consequences and learn to predict outcomes based on their decisions and behaviors.