As Charlie the Caterpillar meets one group of animals after another playing together and having fun, he asks if he can join in. But each time he's told not welcome -- because he's ugly. As winter approaches, Charlie spins himself a cocoon. When spring arrives, the cocoon opens and out comes Charlie -- now a beautiful butterfly. Everyone wants him to be part of their group. But Charlie puts these fair-weather friends properly in their place in this heartwarming story about the meaning of true friendship.
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Book Description
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Editorial Reviews
From School Library Journal
PreSchool-Grade 2-- When Charlie the caterpillar wants to play, the other creatures refuse because they find him ugly. "Now giddadda here!" they tell him. Of course, Charlie eventually makes a cocoon, turns into a beautiful butterfly, and finds that the animals who scorned him now want his company. Very predictable stuff, this has little to recommend it. Santoro is a technically proficient illustrator but his cutesy cartoon drawings of Charlie are as trite as can be. No competition for Carle's Very Hungry Caterpillar (Putnam, 1981) here. --Ann Stell, The Smithtown Library, NY
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.
About the Author
Dom De Luise is one of America's best-loved comedians. He appears frequently on TV, and has starred in many popular movies including The Twelve Chairs, Blazing Saddles, Silent Movie, Fatso, Smokey and the Bandit II and Cannonball Run I and II.
--This text refers to an alternate
Paperback
edition.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
By Scott
Format:Paperback
One of the academic publications called the message in this book "trite." That may be true if you are an educated adult, but this is a children's book.
How many of us can remember being ridiculed as children because we weren't the tallest, or the strongest, or the prettiest kid in class, or because Mom and Dad couldn't afford the latest designer sneakers, errr, athletic footwear, for us? This may be an old message, but it is obvious that it is a message kids still need to hear, more than just once. Frankly, I've known plenty of adults who still haven't learned this simple lesson.
"Charlie the Caterpillar" is a wonderful and warm story about the difference between shallow sycophants and true friends. The illustrations are definitely the highlight of the book; Charlie and Katie are downright huggable. Far from being cartoonish, the caterpillars have a real depth to them.
My only regret after reading this book is that no toymaker has seized the opportunity to license the caterpillar design for a plush cuddle toy. Small children would love it.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I checked this book out at our local library, but it will definitely be one we purchase to add to our collection. Yes, there is slang on a lot of pages, and there may be some errors as a reviewer mentioned between cocoons and a chrysalis. However, the book grabbed my son's attention, and he can tell me the important theme of the book. He is only 3, but he knows that it's important to choose your friends by who they are and not what they look like. I'm ok with a few "technical errors" if he will remember this lesson in life. An added bonus - he's loving his book time, and that is priceless.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
One of the joys of teaching preschool is storytime. This book happens to be not only my favorite book but the children's also. Charlie is such an easy character to relate to. It teaches the children what true friendship is all about. Not only do the children learn about friendship, they also learn about how caterpillars become butterflies. The parents enjoy the story also. They especially like the author and are delightfully surprised when I reveal who it is. I would recommend this book to parents and teachers. It would also make an excellent gift!
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Classic
It may now not be "politically correct" to live like this, but I'm old school and I love the lesson behind this story!
Published 4 months ago by T. S. Hogan
5.0 out of 5 stars
Childhood treasure
This story is a favorite of my daughter's from when she was a wee one! The illustrations are wonderful! I bought this copy since her old copy is quite worn from reading so much. Read more
Published 6 months ago by BooferFTW
5.0 out of 5 stars
An endearing story for children
My parents have 15 grandchildren. They began a tradition many years ago where they would buy the kids two or three hardback books at Christmas in addition to their other gifts. Read more
Published 8 months ago by Fiveizenuff
1.0 out of 5 stars
Not a Good Lesson for Children
After hearing good things about this book, I decided to buy it to read to the young children at our school. When I received it in the mail, I read it immediately. Read more
Published 12 months ago by A. L. Patterson
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Lovely Retelling in Dom Deluise's Voice
This was basically a different angle on "The Ugly Duckling"--- only he was a caterpillar. And, you could practically HEAR Dom Deluise reading it to you, even as you read it aloud... Read more
Published 16 months ago by ScoobyDooMom
5.0 out of 5 stars
loved it
I read this book while subbing for first grade. The illustrations are great. The story is near perfect. Read more
Published on April 27, 2011 by miles
1.0 out of 5 stars
An ignorant book
For many butterflies, the caterpillar stage is as beautiful as the adult butterfly stage. And I've seen quite a few adult butterflies and the illustrations in this book look like... Read more
Published on April 6, 2011 by thistle
5.0 out of 5 stars
A childhood favorite
My all-time favorite childhood favorite. Every night, my mother and father would read this book to my brother and me (by request! Read more
Published on August 9, 2010 by O'Shaughnessy
5.0 out of 5 stars
A favorite in my house
My kids are now too old for Charlie the Catepillar. But when they were between the ages of 4 and 6, it was an absolute favorite and I read it practically every night! Read more
Published on May 5, 2009 by A mom and teacher
1.0 out of 5 stars
Not so cute
I was not impressed when I received this book from the the book club at our preschool. I think the message that no one wants to play with you if you are ugly, and then when you... Read more
Published on May 8, 2008 by Lynn Allen
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