The Very Hungry Caterpillar (English and Arabic Edition) [Paperback]

Eric Carle (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 3 and up

This is the classic edition of the bestselling story written for the very young. A newly hatched caterpillar eats his way through all kinds of food.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Eric Carle and Tomie dePaola: Author One-on-One

Eric Carle is the creator, author, and illustrator of The Very Hungry Caterpillar and many other childrens books. Tomie dePaola is the author and illustrator of Strega Nona: Her Story and countless other books. They recently had a conversation about their careers as picture book authors.

Tomie dePaola: When I was only four years old, I announced to my family in particular and to the world in general that I was going to become an artist, and write stories and draw pictures for books. I never swayed from that early declaration. Ive always been curious to know, what inspired you to become a creator and illustrator of picture books?

Eric Carle: My career began as a graphic designer and for a number of years I worked as an art director for an advertising agency in New York. In the mid 1960's Bill Martin, Jr. saw an ad of a red lobster that I had designed and asked me to illustrate his Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? Well, I was set on fire! I was so inspired by this book, and the opportunity to illustrate it changed my life. After that, I started to create my own books, both words and pictures, and really it was then that I had found my true course in life.

Now, I have a question for you, Tomie. How would you describe your artistic style, and has it changed over time?

Tomie dePaola: My illustration style is heavily influenced by folk art--strong simple shapes, bold lines, color, color, color and a deceptive simplicity. My style began to develop early in art school, and through the years, it hasnt changed very much, but it has refined itself. How would you describe yours?

Eric Carle: My aim with my work is to simplify and refine, be logical and harmonious. I like to use simple shapes, bright colors and a lot of white space. I write for the child inside of me. That is always where I begin.

Tomie dePaola: I do, as well. The only audience I keep in mind is that four-year-old in me. People sometimes ask me what advice I would give to young artists. I always think of the wonderful advice I received from my twin cousins when they were in art school in the late '30s. They told me, Practice, practice, practice and dont copy.

Eric Carle: I often tell people about the four magic letters: DO IT. I want to be encouraging but I can only offer the example of my own experience, which is just one approach. There are many wonderful artists to learn about, which is important. But you must use your own imagination. You have to just do it.

Tomie dePaola: How do you feel knowing that a copy of The Very Hungry Caterpillar is sold every 30 seconds, somewhere in the world?

Eric Carle: It is hard for me, maybe for others too, to grasp this concept. But I am truly honored that my story is enjoyed by so many and that it is now being shared by a generation of parents who grew up with my book. How about your Strega Nona. She is one of your most popular characters. Can you share how she came to be?

Tomie dePaola: In the 70s when I was teaching at a college, we were required to attend faculty meetings. I always sat in the back with a yellow legal pad. Everyone thought I was taking notes. At one meeting a doodle appeared of a little lady with a big nose and a big chin. I named her Strega Nona, and the rest is history. Speaking of history, how will you be celebrating the third annual Very Hungry Caterpillar Day this year?

Eric Carle: On The Very Hungry Caterpillar Day, March 20th, I will probably be at home with my wife, Bobbie (I am a bit of a hermit, actually). But I will be saying a little toast to the caterpillar for whom I have a special place in my heart. And speaking of holidays, isnt your favorite holiday Christmas. Do you have a special Christmas memory?

Tomie dePaola: Christmas is my favorite holiday. My favorite Christmas was the one when I received tons and tons of art supplies: everything from an easel to paints, pads and pads of paper, and how to draw books.

A Look Inside The Very Hungry Caterpillar
(Click on Images to Enlarge)

--This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From Publishers Weekly

In honor of the 40th anniversary of Eric Carle's The Very Hungry Caterpillar comes the first-ever pop-up edition of this book. When the familiar, tiny caterpillar pops out of his egg, a dial lets readers help him chug across Carle's earthy color palette. Next, the caterpillar eats his way through a week's worth of pop-up fruit, as well as a full-page display of sweet and savory treats, (resulting in a stomach-ache), before his eventual transition into a butterfly. The pop-ups, particularly a half-cylinder tree trunk that sprouts from the center of the spread and a large accordionlike cocoon, are well executed and engaging. While the prominent use of white space lends a sparser feel than in the picture book, the shimmering wings of the pop-up butterfly dazzle on the final spread. Ages 3up. (Mar.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 3 and up
  
• Paperback: 20 pages
• Publisher: Mantra Lingua / Tsai Fong (January 1992)
• Language: English, Arabic
• ISBN-10: 1852691247
• ISBN-13: 978-1852691240
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 4.7 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #646,672 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A book treasured by so many children!!!, July 17, 2007

By 

T. Steffes "tawniemarie" (South Dakota, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Very Hungry Caterpillar (English and Arabic Edition) (Paperback)

Just for a little background info on me, I have a BA in English as well as psychology. I worked as a children's library assistant for my first four years out of college. I'm also a mommy to a precious 2 year old daughter, Claire. Claire loves her books, and she adores the hungry little caterpillar. She's at the stage now where she just finds it so funny. It's one we read again and again. I don't think you can miss by getting this for your own child.

5.0 out of 5 stars A classic every child and adult would love!, March 2, 2011

By 

Karean L. Chapman "Karean L. Chapman, Award-W... - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Very Hungry Caterpillar (English and Arabic Edition) (Paperback)

Eric Carle wrote and illustrated a wonderful story of a little caterpillar that munches through leaves, apples, hot dogs, cakes and more. With each bite the caterpillar grows, then spinning a cocoon and finally emerging into a beautiful, colorful butterfly. I remember the laughter and giggles when reading this delightful story to my girls. They loved the bright colors and learned about healthy foods vs. not so healthy. They also learned that if you eat too much you may feel a little sick. I particularly liked how it taught children that eating a health leaf made the caterpillar feel better again. My girls learned about the days of the week and how a caterpillar goes from a tiny little egg into a beautiful bright butterfly. The highlight for the girls were sticking their fingers through the fun holes in the board book with each passing day. This book is a definite must have for any little one!

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hungry for a review?!, May 6, 2007

By 

Care (Chicago, IL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Very Hungry Caterpillar (English and Arabic Edition) (Paperback)

Carle, E. (1969). The very hungry caterpillar. New York: Scholastic, Inc.

Synopsis: Oh the length a caterpillar will go for a delicious meal! You will wonder just how far this hungry little creature will go to find a satisfying meal to fill his belly. Carle is a timeless author that continues writing stories that capture and enchant the minds of young children with this tale of a little caterpillar searching to find a fulfilling meal. This caterpillar's story has a beautiful ending.

Evaluation: This story presents the early learning concepts of counting and the days of the week. The only discrepancy is that in the end the caterpillar builds himself a cocoon. Moths build cocoons, while butterflies build chrysalises. Carle's story provides children with easy to understand language that they are sure to repeat over and over. Young children are mesmerized by Carle's unconventional use of smaller pages. Little fingers cannot help but explore the tiny holes created throughout the book by the hungry little caterpillar. Eric Carle's vividly painted tissue paper collages continue to draw children into the imaginary worlds he creates. These simple painted collages are uncluttered on a crisp white background and keep children's attention spans. The counting patterns assist children with the one to one correspondence needed for early math skills. As well, children can't help learning the days of the week with this fascinating tale. As youngsters begin to learn to count and recite the days of the week, this story offers children the opportunity to use repeated readings to fully grasp these concepts. In addition the counting and days of the week patterns provide children with some predictability.