The Very Hugry Caterpillar

Carle, Eric. (1987). The very hungry caterpillar. New York: Philomel Books.

The Very Hungry Caterpillar fits into the genre of picture books because it tells a story using pictures and words.  This book tells a story about a very hungry caterpillar and what he eats.  It tells what he eats each day of the week and how he changes.  This story is sequential and is told in chronological order. 

This book is very colorful and the illustrations have texture.  The illustrations on many of the pages also go beyond the edges of the book; this is known as a page bleed.  The pictures will also spread across the gutter and continue across the recto and verso side of the page.  This book also has a dust jacket that includes a summary of the book and information on the author, Eric Carle.

This book can be used to teach many things.  In the beginning grades, it can be used to teach the days of the week.  As students get into the first or second grade, it can be used as a fun introduction to the lifecycle of a butterfly.  It can also be used in math to teach addition.  I think many students will enjoy reading this book or having this book read to them.  It is colorful and teaching many important concepts in one book.  This book can stretch across many units and lessons. 

I chose this book because it was on the recommended list in the text book and I remember reading it as a child and really enjoying it.

Big question:  Why do you think that the caterpillar was so hungry?  What was he preparing for?