Board book · Fiction
The Very Hungry Caterpillar
Eric Carle
About the book
A caterpillar eats through a growing list of foods over a week, then spins a cocoon and emerges as a butterfly.
Reading notes
Die-cut holes invite little fingers, and the days-of-the-week and counting structure gives repeat readings something new to notice.
This description was drafted with AI assistance and checked by a separate AI review against catalog, publisher and award sources on 2026-11-11. It has not been reviewed by a human editor. Report an error.
Book details
- Author
- Eric Carle
- First published
- 1969
- Suggested ages
- Ages 0–4 (editorial estimate — children vary)
- Reading mode
- Best read aloud
- Topics
- counting, food, growth
- Edition shown
- ISBN 9780399226908 · World of Eric Carle, Mar 23, 1994 · Board book
- Catalog record
- Open Library work record · edition record
Metadata verified against Open Library on 2026-11-11. Other editions and formats exist; ISBNs differ by edition.
Featured in
Age guide
Books for Babies and Toddlers: What to Choose and How to Share Them
What babies and toddlers get from books, what to look for in a first book, how to read with a child who chews or wiggles, and a starter shelf.
Reading & literacy
Reading Comprehension Activities at Home: Low-Prep Ideas by Age
Simple ways to build reading comprehension at home: picture walks, predictions, retelling with props, story maps, character interviews and wondering questions.
Reading & literacy
Story Time for Toddlers and Preschoolers: How to Run One at Home or for a Small Group
A practical guide to toddler and preschool story time: choosing books, pacing, songs and fingerplays, participation, wiggles, repeat reading and a simple routine.