The Very Hungry Caterpillar

The Very Hungry Caterpillar is a 1969 children’s picture book, designed, illustrated, and written by Eric Carle. The book features a very hungry caterpillar eating foodstuffs before pupating and emerging as a butterfly. It has won many children’s literature awards and major graphic design awards.[1] Furthermore, it has sold upwards of 50 million copies worldwide,[1] selling roughly a copy per thirty seconds since its publication.[1] The book has been lauded as “one of the greatest childhood classics of all time.”[2] Its ‘eaten’ holes and collage artwork were innovative for its time.[1] The book includes counting, days of the week, food, and butterfly’s life cycle which contribute to juvenile education. Carle’s original work has been the basis for various tie-in products.

The Very Hungry Caterpillar
Front cover illustration
AuthorEric Carle
IllustratorEric Carle
Cover artistDerrick
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
GenreChildren's literature (Children's picture book)
PublisherWorld Publishing Company (US)
Hamish Hamilton (UK)
Publication date
June 3, 1969
Media typeHardcover, Board book
Pages22
ISBN0-399-22690-7 (US)
OCLC21134403

Synopsis

On an early Sunday morning, “a tiny and very hungry caterpillar” hatches from his egg. Then, he searches for something to eat. For the following five days (Monday through Friday), the very hungry caterpillar eats through an increasing quantity of fruit: one apple on Monday, two pears on Tuesday, three plums on Wednesday, four strawberries on Thursday, and five oranges on Friday. The caterpillar is still hungry. On Saturday, he feasts, eating a piece of chocolate cake, a strawberry ice cream cone, a pickle, a slice of Swiss cheese, a slice of salami, a lollipop, a piece of cherry pie, a sausage, a cupcake and a slice of watermelon. That night, he gets a stomach ache from unhealthy overeating.

To recover from Saturday’s stomach ache, the caterpillar eats one green leaf on Sunday (a week has passed), and then feels much better. He is no longer little and hungry; he is now a big and fat caterpillar. He builds a cocoon around himself. He stays inside of it for two weeks, after which he nibbles a hole and pushes his way out. Finally, he develops into a large, beautiful, multi-colored butterfly. As a butterfly, the cycle begins again. Carle’s story mimics a caterpillar’s actual life cycle: eating, growing, spinning, and finally metamorphosing into a butterfly.

Development

The Very Hungry Caterpillar is Carle's third book.

Carle was inspired by a hole punch; one day he was hole punching a stack of paper, thought of a bookworm, and created the story A Week with Willi the Worm.[3] A Week with Willi the Worm featured a bookworm named Willi. Ann Beneduce, Carle's editor, advised that a green worm would not make a likable protagonist.[4][5] Beneduce suggested a caterpillar to which Carle responded “butterfly”; hence, the idea for the book was cemented.

The differently shaped pages with holes representing the caterpillar's trail through foodstuffs were a challenge, but Carle was familiar with "differently shaped pages" from books that he read as a child in Germany.[4]

Publication

The book was originally published by the World Publishing Company (US) in 1969. It was originally printed in Japan due to high US publishing costs.[4] After the World Publishing Company, Penguin Random House became the book’s publisher. In 2019, Penguin bought the title from Carle.[6]

Since its production, The Very Hungry Caterpillar has sold roughly one copy every thirty seconds.[1]

The book has been translated more than 60 languages,[1] including Arabic,[7] Dutch, French,[8] Spanish,[9] German,[10] Japanese,[11] Italian,[12] Portuguese, Swedish,[13] Russian,[14] and Hebrew.[15]

Reception

Awards

The book has won numerous awards including the American Institute of Graphic Arts Award in 1970, the Best Children’s Books of England 1970, the Selection du Grand Prix des Treize in France in 1972, and the Nakamori Reader's Prize in Japan in 1975.[16] The New York Times also cited it as one of the “Ten Best Picture Books of the Year” in 1969.[17]

Furthermore, the book placed at number 199 in the Big Read, a 2003 poll conducted by the BBC to determine the United Kingdom's best loved books. It was one of a few picture books to place on the list.[18] Based on a 2007 online poll, the National Education Association listed the book as one of its "Teachers' Top 100 Books for Children".[19] Five years later, School Library Journal survey of readers named The Very Hungry Caterpillar as the second-best children’s book.[4]

More recently in 2020, The Very Hungry Caterpillar was number ten on the list of "Top Check Outs of All Time" by the New York Public Library.[20] It also won the best children’s classic accolade at the Sainsbury Children’s Book Awards in 2019.[21] Carle said that this award was a “perfect way” to celebrate the book’s 50th anniversary.[21]

Endorsements

The Very Hungry Caterpillar introduces Lepidoptera life stage concepts depicting metamorphosis from a ‘hungry caterpillar’ to a ‘beautiful butterfly;’ the Royal Entomological Society endorsed the book due to the scientific accuracy of this transformation.

Issues and bans

The book was removed from libraries in Herefordshire, England in an effort to promote healthy eating.[22]

In 2021, researchers from Edith Cowan University in Western Australia criticised a number of books, including The Very Hungry Caterpillar, for not being culturally diverse, and finding that teachers were over-relying on classic titles which reflected dominant culture and outdated viewpoints and lifestyles.[23][24] In an article for the Australian Journal of Teacher Education, the researchers expressed concern about classic books which only contained animal characters, finding that animal stories decrease the likelihood of children from minority backgrounds seeing characters representative of themselves.[23][25] They recommended classic titles be placed alongside more contemporary texts which better represent a more modern culturally-diverse society.[23][26] The findings were criticised by media commentators such as Kel Richards and Erin Molan.[27][28]

Educational usage and influence

This book includes educational themes including counting, the days of the week, foods, and a butterfly’s life stages. However, the book does not appear as didactic; rather, it presents information discreetly without children realizing it.[1] It has been used by elementary school teachers, librarians, and parents as a teaching aid, with activities developed which use the book.[29][30] Furthermore, the pictures allow for understanding without reading.[31]

Predictability

The book contains “familiar sequences” or patterns when referencing days of the week and numbers.[32] These patterns help young readers read naturally and reflect their own personal knowledge about the world.[32] Furthermore, these patterns encourage word recognition strategies while reading, rather than beforehand.[32] Therefore, predictability helps establish understanding within context.[32]

The book’s predictability also allows for oral cloze exercises, exercises where an adult reader can omit a day of the week or number and the child can insert it.[33] These exercises help children gain confidence in predicting language and enforcing pre-existing knowledge.[33]

Common core

New elementary common core standards emphasize more informational texts in primary education; books like The Very Hungry Caterpillar mend the divide between informational texts and elementary engagement.[34] The book is captivating for young learners, while also providing lessons on counting, days of the week, and metamorphosis.[34]

Storytelling/Classroom activities

The Very Hungry Caterpillar’s format allows for expansion into a classroom activity.[31] Children can engage in creative practice and storytelling by inserting their own foods and drawings into each day of the week.[31] Using the book’s format children can incorporate their own interests; thus, they are telling their own stories.[31] Sharing their renditions with peers, students again engage with storytelling.[31]

Secondary school usage

The Very Hungry Caterpillar has met Beowulf in secondary classrooms in an effort to prompt academic and sophisticated discussion of picture books.[35] Main reasons for integration include the universal themes of picture books and providing visual aids for comprehension.[35] The Very Hungry Caterpillar has themes that extend past young children and its integration with Beowulf helps engage secondary aged students.[35]

Healthy eating

This book has been instrumental in fighting childhood obesity. The American Academy of Pediatrics, the CDC, philanthropic groups, and anti-obesity campaigns utilize this book to teach children about healthy eating.[36] In 2011, the American Academy of Pediatrics sent out special copies of the book, with associated learning tools, to health providers, for a campaign to healthy eating in the U.S.[37] Carle supports the usage of his book to promote healthy eating.

Cocoon vs. chrysalis

In the story, the caterpillar builds a cocoon, and a butterfly emerges. In reality, a caterpillar that makes a cocoon emerges as a moth, while a butterfly will emerge from a chrysalis.[38]

Cultural influence

This book was used by former first lady Barbara Bush as part of her campaign to promote literacy.[39] In 1999, the pizza restaurant Pizza Hut asked 50 U.S. governors to name their favorite books from childhood. The then-governor of Texas, George W. Bush, named The Very Hungry Caterpillar, despite having been of college age at the time of its publication.[2]

In 2009, Google celebrated the book's 40th anniversary by rendering the logo on its main search page in the style used in the book.[3][40]

UK/US releases

VHS

The Very Hungry Caterpillar was adapted for UK television on September 1, 1993. Then on October 17, 1994, it was released as a VHS video distributed by PolyGram Video.[41] After which, it was re-released on June 16, 1997, distributed by Channel 5 Video, a sub-label of PolyGram. On March 18, 2002, it was re-released by Universal Pictures as part of an anthology called The World of Eric Carle that included The Very Hungry Caterpillar along with four other Eric Carle stories. [42]

This anthology utilized a classical music–influenced soundtrack by Wallace & Gromit composer Julian Nott.[43] Narration on the UK releases were performed by Roger McGough and Juliet Stevenson; this version was briefly released in the US by Scholastic.[44] Then on August 5, 1995 Disney released a US dub version with narration by Brian Cummings and Linda Gary.[45] After Disney’s adaptation, the film and TV rights were sold for £1 million.[46]

DVD

The Very Hungry Caterpillar was released on DVD on April 24, 2006, as a part of an anthology called The World of Eric Carle; it was presented by the Illuminated Film Company and broadcast by Ventura Distribution.[41]

The anthology, including The Very Hungry Caterpillar and four other stories, was also released on DVD in the US by Disney.[47] The DVD was also adapted into a 10-track CD, titled The Very Hungry Caterpillar and Other Stories.

Ancillary products

There have been multiple unique book editions,[48] with personalized features. Games, pop-up books,[48] a book/card game combination via University Games,[49] and an educational video game- The Very Hungry Caterpillar's ABCs – released by CYBIRD Co. Ltd. for WiiWare in 2010.[50]

References and notes

    1. Fetters, Ashley (March 20, 2019). "How The Very Hungry Caterpillar Became a Classic". The Atlantic. Retrieved April 27, 2022.
    2. "Eat your heart out". the Guardian. October 22, 2004. Retrieved April 27, 2022.
    3. "Google celebrates Eric Carle's Very Hungry Caterpillar". www.telegraph.co.uk. Retrieved April 27, 2022.
    4. Bird, Betsy. "Top 100 Picture Books #2: The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle". School Library Journal.
    5. Metrowebukmetro (March 20, 2009). "Hungry Caterpillar author on zoo maths". Metro. Retrieved April 27, 2022.
    6. Trachtenberg, Jeffrey A. (November 5, 2019). "'Very Hungry Caterpillar' Author Eric Carle Sells Company to Penguin Random House". Wall Street Journal. ISSN 0099-9660. Retrieved April 27, 2022.
    7. "The Very Hungry Caterpillar in Arabic and English : Eric Carle : 9781852691240". www.bookdepository.com. Retrieved April 27, 2022.
    8. Carle, Eric (1999). La chenille qui fait des trous. Internet Archive. Namur [Belgium] : Mijade. ISBN 978-2-87142-174-0.
    9. La oruga muy hambrienta. 2002. ISBN 039923960X.
    10. Carle, Eric (1969). Die kleine Raupe Nimmersatt. ISBN 3806742596.
    11. Carle, Eric (2001). はらぺこあおむし. ISBN 9577620981.
    12. Carle, Eric (1989). Il piccolo Bruco Maisazio. ISBN 8804323329.
    13. Carle, Eric (1998). Den mycket hungriga larven. ISBN 9163812134.
    14. Карл, Эрик (2008). Очень голодная гусеница. ISBN 9785903497041.
    15. "הוצאת הקיבוץ המאוחד - ספרית פועלים". www.kibutz-poalim.co.il (in Hebrew). Retrieved April 27, 2022.
    16. "Eric Carle Collection". archive.ph. August 5, 2012. Archived from the original on August 5, 2012. Retrieved April 27, 2022.
    17. "Awards". Eric Carle. Retrieved April 27, 2022.
    18. "BBC - The Big Read - Top 200 Books". www.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved April 27, 2022.
    19. "National Education Association | NEA". www.nea.org. Retrieved April 27, 2022.
    20. Carlson, Jen (January 13, 2020). "These Are The NYPL's Top Check Outs OF ALL TIME". Gothamist. Retrieved April 27, 2022.
    21. "Children's classic storybook The Very Hungry Caterpillar wins award". Early Years Educator. Retrieved April 27, 2022.
    22. Waterson, Michael. "Banned Books Week". Napa Valley Register. Retrieved May 2, 2022.
    23. Adam, Helen; Hays, Anne-Maree; Urquhart, Yvonne (2021). "The Exclusive White World of Preservice Teachers' Book Selection for the Classroom: Influences and Implications for Practice". The Australian Journal of Teacher Education. 46 (8): 51–69. doi:10.14221/ajte.2021v46n8.4. S2CID 244197665. Retrieved June 5, 2022.
    24. Sugden, Maureen (June 4, 2022). "Issue of the day: Are beloved children's classics 'outdated'?". The Herald. Retrieved June 5, 2022.
    25. Goodall, Hamish (June 2, 2022). "Australian researcher claims children's book are not diverse enough". 7 News. Retrieved June 5, 2022.
    26. O'Brien, Susie; Hodge, Regan (May 29, 2022). "Popular children books deemed not culturally diverse enough". Herald Sun. Retrieved June 5, 2022.
    27. Richards, Kel (June 1, 2022). "Kel Richards: Beloved children's classics are being sacrificed at the altar of politically correct wokery". Sky News Australia. Retrieved June 5, 2022.
    28. Molan, Erin (June 3, 2022). "Erin Molan: Storm over classic kids' books is diversity gone mad". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved June 5, 2022.
    29. The librarian's complete guide to involving parents through children's literature, Anthony D. Fredericks, Libraries Unlimited, 1997. ISBN 1-56308-538-0 p. 93
    30. Teaching Terrific Fours, Annal Jones, Carol Crownover, Elizabeth Jones. Humanism Learning, 2006. ISBN 0-89334-419-2 p. 92
    31. Roney, R. C. "Back to the Basics with Storytelling." The Reading Teacher 42.7 (1989): 520-3. JSTOR. Web.
    32. Rhodes, Lynn K. "I can Read! Predictable Books as Resources for Reading and Writing Instruction." The Reading Teacher 34.5 (1981): 511-8. JSTOR. Web.
    33. Wiseman, Donna L. "Helping Children Take Early Steps Toward Reading and Writing." The Reading Teacher 37.4 (1984): 340-4. JSTOR. Web.
    34. Neuman, Susan B., and Roskos, Kathleen. "Helping Children Become More Knowledgeable through Text." The Reading Teacher 66.3 (2012): 207-10. JSTOR. Web.
    35. Neal, Judith C., and Moore, Kay. ""The Very Hungry Caterpillar" Meets "Beowulf" in Secondary Classrooms." Journal of Reading 35.4 (1991): 290-6. JSTOR. Web.
    36. "Deconstructing 'The Very Hungry Caterpillar': Excellent food choices, portion control needs work". Los Angeles Times. March 8, 2011. Retrieved April 27, 2022.
    37. "Groups Hope "Hungry Caterpillar" Helps Fight Fat". Washington Times. Associated Press. March 8, 2011. Retrieved March 30, 2011.
    38. Giaimo, Giaimo. "The Very Hungry Caterpillar Lied to You As a Child". Atlas Obscura. Retrieved July 21, 2022.
    39. Tate, Mikayla (June 10, 2019). "PSCD Summer Reading: The Very Hungry Caterpillar". Provo City School District. Retrieved July 24, 2020. The Very Hungry Caterpillar has been translated into 40 different languages and was also used by Barbara Bush as part of her literacy campaign.
    40. First Day of Spring 2009 - Design by Eric Carle, retrieved April 27, 2022
    41. The World of Eric Carle (TV Series 1993) - IMDb, retrieved May 2, 2022
    42. Carle, Eric. "The Very Hungry Caterpillar and Other Stories".
    43. "Julian Nott". IMDb. Retrieved April 27, 2022.
    44. Opening to The Very Hungry Caterpillar & Other Stories by Eric Carle 1993 VHS (Rare), retrieved April 27, 2022
    45. The Very Hungry Caterpillar and other stories. Walt Disney Productions. August 5, 1995.
    46. "Counting on the Caterpillar". July 26, 2005. Retrieved April 27, 2022.
    47. The Very Hungry Caterpillar And Other Stories, retrieved May 2, 2022
    48. "The Very Hungry Caterpillar Pop-Up Book - Eric Carle - Penguin Group (USA)". April 25, 2009. Archived from the original on April 25, 2009. Retrieved April 27, 2022.
    49. The Very Hungry Caterpillar Spinner: Book And Card Game. Univ Games. January 30, 2007. ISBN 978-1-57528-890-1.
    50. "The Nintendo Download: Countdown To Excitement". Kotaku. September 20, 2010. Retrieved April 27, 2022.
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