Charlie the Caterpillar [Paperback]

Dom Deluise (Author), Christopher Santoro (Illustrator)

Book Description

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.

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.

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.

Product Details

• Paperback: 40 pages
• Publisher: Aladdin (April 1, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0671796070
• ISBN-13: 978-0671796075
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 10 x 0.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (30 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #86,431 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #49 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > Animals > Bugs & Spiders > Fiction

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An old, but very important, message, February 5, 2004

By 

Scott (Ohio, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Charlie the Caterpillar (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.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Preschool Teacher's Thought on Charlie the Caterpillar!, April 25, 2000

By 

Carrie Zerkel (Webb City, Missouri) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Charlie the Caterpillar (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!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Loved it, and my 3 year old did, too!!, August 24, 2006

By 

Tara A. Erwin "Ty's mom" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Charlie the Caterpillar (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.