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  • The Very Hungry Caterpillar
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The Very Hungry Caterpillar Board book – March 23, 1994

4.9 out of 5 stars (79,131)

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THE ICONIC #1 BESTSELLER • The all-time classic starring the world’s favorite caterpillar! This beautiful, sturdy board book is a perfect gift for new babies, baby showers, birthdays, and other new beginnings!

One of
The Atlantic’s 65 Essential Children’s Books

“Gorgeously illustrated, brilliantly innovative.”—
The New York Times Book Review

In the light of the moon a little egg lay on a leaf.
One Sunday morning the warm sun came up and—pop!—out of the egg came a tiny and very hungry caterpillar.

So begins the journey of Eric Carle’s most beloved storybook character. Follow along as one of nature’s loveliest marvels eats his way through an amazing variety of foods as he prepares to grow into a beautiful butterfly! Children will love the strikingly bold, colorful pictures against a simple text in large, clear type. Featuring interactive die-cut pages, this board book is the perfect size for little hands and great for teaching counting, days of the week, and the concept of change as a positive and necessary part of life.
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From the Publisher

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

"In the light of the moon a little egg lay on a leaf." So begins Eric Carle's modern classic, The Very Hungry Caterpillar. More than 12 million copies of this book have been sold in its original, full-sized edition, and the beloved tale of science and gluttony has been translated into 20 languages. This five-by-four-inch miniature edition is truly tiny, with tiny type, but it is a nice size for small hands to hold and flip through the pictures. Despite its diminished state, the book is complete in every detail, following the ravenous caterpillar's path as he eats his way through one apple (and the pages of the book itself) on Monday, two pears on Tuesday, three plums on Wednesday, and so on, through cherry pie and sausage--until he is really fat and has a stomachache. And no doubt you know what happens next! Kids love butterfly metamorphosis stories, and this popular favorite teaches counting and the days of the week, too. A fun gift package for caterpillar fans. (Baby to preschool) --Karin Snelson

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 children’s 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. I’ve 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 hasn’t 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 don’t 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, isn’t 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 (Board Book)
(Click on Images to Enlarge)

About the Author

Eric Carle is acclaimed and beloved as the creator of brilliantly illustrated and innovatively designed picture books for very young children. His best-known work, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, has been translated into more than 80 languages and sold over 60 million copies. Carle illustrated more than seventy books, many best sellers, most of which he also wrote, and more than 180 million copies of his books have sold around the world. In 2003, Carle received the Laura Ingalls Wilder Award (now called the Children’s Literature Legacy Award) for lifetime achievement in children's literature. In 2002, Eric and his wife, Barbara, cofounded The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art in Amherst, Massachusetts, a 40,000-square-foot space dedicated to the celebration of picture books and picture book illustrations from around the world, underscoring the cultural, historical, and artistic significance of picture books and their art form. Eric Carle passed away in May 2021 at the age of 91. His work remains an important influence on artists and illustrators at work today.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ World of Eric Carle
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ March 23, 1994
  • Edition ‏ : ‎ 1st
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 26 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0399226907
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0399226908
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 6.4 ounces
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 1+ years, from customers
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 7.13 x 0.61 x 5 inches
  • Part of series ‏ : ‎ The Very Hungry Caterpillar
  • Best Sellers Rank: #11 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.9 out of 5 stars (79,131)

About the authors

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Customer reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars
79,131 global ratings
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Customers say

Customers love this classic children's book for its simple story and vibrant, colorful illustrations that help with color recognition. The book is educational, teaching counting in a subtle way and helping children learn about days and foods. Customers find it engaging, with one noting it's a great way to build vocabulary, and they enjoy reading it together, with one mentioning it becomes a nightly routine.
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2218 customers mention content, 2134 positive, 84 negative
Customers love this book, describing it as a wonderful classic that's great for kids.
Haha what a great book. Buuuttt it made me hungry :) 10/10 would read again. Its great for kids, but also for when you just need a smileRead more
love this book. My son had this in paperback when he was youn and loved it. This was for my granddaughter. The pages are thick board which is great.Read more
Good book, but why did he only eat through the food? Was he not worrying about his carbon foot print?...Read more
...I still love this book to this very day! “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” is a popular children’s book by Eric Carle and it is about how a very hungry...Read more
586 customers mention classic, 585 positive, 1 negative
Customers love this classic children's book, with many mentioning they loved it from their childhood, and one customer noting it's a must-have for every library.
Classic ! Has passed the test of time from my nursery school students, to children and grandkids. Perfect in simplicity, color, skill building…Read more
Classic book, have ready millions of times with my little, so I decided to purchase one. When we received it- a whole page was missing from book....Read more
Cute and sturdy. A classic. Deducted 1 star bc book is so small the little holes are too small for the child's fingers to fit through easily.Read more
Great classic. My one year old grandchild loves the colorful pictures and the beautiful rhythm of the story when I read it to her.Read more
459 customers mention story, 451 positive, 8 negative
Customers love the story of this classic children's book, describing it as lovely and simple, with students enjoying it as a bedtime read.
This is a great story and a cute little book. So cute that my eldest daughter insisted we do her baby sister's 1st party with the theme....Read more
This is a cute hardback - easy for little hands to hold and enjoy. Classic story, try getting the stuffed animal to make the story come alive.Read more
Besides being such a cute story, the tactile features in this book hold my one year old's attention span: the different size pages and hole cut-outs....Read more
Nice sturdy and colorful book. Fun story, especially when read outlook with emphasized voices. Love it!Read more
322 customers mention color, 319 positive, 3 negative
Customers appreciate the vibrant colors in the book, which help children learn colors.
...for little kids--this may even help dispel kids' fear of BUGS!!!--a colorful and cute book-one of several our alum group requested donation of when...Read more
My grandchildren love this story! The larger format board book is very colorful and easy for little hands to manage....Read more
This is a great book to share with your children. Bright colors and interactive pages. A gem many generations have enjoyed.Read more
...- from egg to caterpillar to cocoon to butterfly - to teach counting, colors, days of the week, foods (not to mention a recipe for a stomach ache!) -...Read more
307 customers mention entertaining, 301 positive, 6 negative
Customers find the book fun and engaging, with children enjoying it and having a great time reading it together. One customer notes it's a great way to build vocabulary.
You can't get much better for a kid's book. It's cute, fun, adorable, great graphics... you can introduce colors, foods, counting... It's great for...Read more
...It's such a fun book. My daughter loves the holes and different sized pages in the middle of the book and enjoys the beautiful colors throughout.Read more
Our daughter loved this book many years ago, and kids still love it. Fun to read, and fun to listen to. Ideal for toddlers.Read more
...Eric Carle’s iconic illustrations are vibrant, engaging, and instantly recognizable—making this book a beloved favorite across generations....Read more
264 customers mention illustrations, 259 positive, 5 negative
Customers love the illustrations in the book, describing them as beautiful and bright.
...Beautiful illustrations in a fun layout that still entertains adults while making little ones want to turn each page to see what that caterpillar...Read more
Well constructed and beautifully illustrated. Easy to read print. Sturdy enough for baby’s curious little hands.Read more
...The illustrations are beautiful and so colorful! We love Eric Carle's Books! Thank you so much! Frances Carol Laronga (kalola0602@yahoo.com)Read more
Fun reading, great pictures, easy to read for a child... I used to read this story to my children and now get to read it to my grandchildren.. they...Read more
215 customers mention educational, 213 positive, 2 negative
Customers find the book educational, particularly noting how it teaches counting and fruit recognition in a subtle way, while also helping children learn days of the week and basic book and language skills.
...This book can be used in so many ways to be educational and fun to read to your children and since it is a board book, it is durable and great for...Read more
Great classic story. Teaches counting, days of the week, names of fruit, metamorphosis of butterflies, and the consequences of over eating....Read more
...Not only does this teach numbers, but it also teaches days of the week, the science of a caterpillar transforming into a butterfly... and the deeper...Read more
...read for a preschooler... all areas are covered... colors, counting, science, social studies, foods, and also helps in learning about the author,...Read more
176 customers mention readability, 143 positive, 33 negative
Customers find the book highly readable, enjoying it so much that they want to read it all the time and love doing it together. One customer notes it's a nice quick book to read, while another mentions it helps with reading comprehension.
...Definitely worth sharing. Great readRead more
We love reading this book , learning new words, counting and enjoying the simple but educational story.Read more
...She still loves reading this book. It's very short, so it was able to keep her attention....Read more
Loved reading this book when I was younger and had to get for son and he loved it just as much as me....Read more
Perfect Item
5 out of 5 stars
Perfect Item
Came in great condition! Classic book to use for my speech sessions!
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on September 4, 2023
    Format: Board bookVerified Purchase
    The media could not be loaded.
    Where to even begin with Eric Carle's "The Very Hungry Caterpillar"? This book has been a cornerstone of childhood for countless kids—and with good reason!

    First and foremost, the visual elements are stunning. Eric Carle’s unique collage technique brings the story to life in a way that instantly captures the attention of both young and older readers. His choice of bold, vibrant colors is just like eye-candy for the young ones.

    The tale itself is simple yet profound. A caterpillar eats its way through various foods, both healthy and not-so-healthy, growing bigger and ultimately transforming into a butterfly. On one level, it’s a delightful story about change and growth; on another, it subtly teaches children about the days of the week, counting, and nutrition.

    I appreciate how the book incorporates little "holes" in the pages to indicate where the caterpillar has munched through, adding a tactile element to the reading experience. My 5-year-old loves poking her fingers through the holes, making the story not just a visual but also a sensory delight!

    It’s also worth noting that the story is quick and to-the-point, making it perfect for bedtime or for little ones with shorter attention spans. But despite its brevity, it offers a wealth of topics to explore and discuss, from biology and metamorphosis to making healthier food choices.

    "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" isn't just a book; it's an interactive, educational experience that both children and adults can enjoy together. It is a tale that transcends time and remains as relevant today as it was when it was first published. If you haven't introduced your children to this story yet, you're missing out on a classic that’s as nourishing for the mind as it is a delight for the senses.
    35 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on December 6, 2025
    Format: AudiobookVerified Purchase
    The Very Hungry Caterpillar is such a sweet, beautifully illustrated book. The simple story, bright colors, and fun cut-out pages keep little ones completely engaged. It’s perfect for teaching counting, days of the week, and healthy eating in a way that feels playful and memorable.

    My kids ask for it over and over, and it’s one of those books that adults enjoy reading too. A true classic that every child’s bookshelf should have!
  • Reviewed in the United States on April 15, 2026
    Format: Board bookVerified Purchase
    Every young child should have this book. I bought it for my granddaughter and her father got excited as he relived his childhood book.
    And the book is good quality.
  • Reviewed in the United States on April 1, 2026
    Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
    I would give 6 stars, if l could. This book is a classic children's book, but the quality of the paper and binding is superb-- Very sturdy paper and tightly sewn binding. Great hardcover. Should hold up for years of classroom use. This book is a bargain at the sale price
  • Reviewed in the United States on January 22, 2011
    Format: Board bookVerified Purchase
    I remember the first time my kindergarten teacher read The Very Hungry Caterpillar to the class. We were all fascinated by this colorful book about a caterpillar who eats his way through a lot of food, then becomes a butterfly. Until the last couple of months, I hadn't picked up the book since 1990. But when I saw it at the store, I got it off the shelf to read to my daughter, and see if she liked it as much as I did then. Sure enough, she did. This is just a charming little book. It might not be much of a story book for bed time or anything, but it's definitely a neat one to look at.

    The book is just a few pages long, but it tells the short story about a hungry little caterpillar who isn't satisfied when he eats a lot of fruit, so he moves on to snacks and what most people consider junk food, which makes him huge. The caterpillar then makes its cocoon, and emerges as a beautiful butterfly.

    This book is for very young children, as you can see by the reading level in the product details here. It's best for babies to pre-schoolers, though it was quite fine with a kindergarten class too. Unless you're in an area that has a lot of caterpillars and butterflies, some kids aren't exposed to them much or know that caterpillars tun into butterflies, so this is a great book to show that. And like I stated above, the artwork is fantastic. Eric Carle has a very distinct style, going with tissue paper rather than pencil, ink or paint. Simple things like a hot dog or plum look great in their own right with this style, and even now as a hopeful children's book author, I admire this artwork. I also love how the caterpillar shows no emotion, except for when its eaten too much and you can tell he has a pretty bad tummy ache.

    But there is one thing that's throwing off a lot of people who order this book, and it's the same thing that happened to me with The Very Busy Spider. Only in the product details do you see the size of the book listed. Most people would assume that these books are your more regular book size, rather than a mini version that fits in your back pocket. Sometimes the edition of the book isn't mentioned in the item title either, so please read the product details before placing an order so you don't end up disappointed when a tiny book arrives.

    The Very Hungry Caterpillar is a book that most children will enjoy, and is a nice one to look at in the car, grocery shopping, or as a prep for a bigger bedtime book. Eric Carle just has that magic touch of making simple, short stories that are memorable for years to come...with a big help from colorful tissue paper!
    3 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on April 25, 2026
    Format: Board bookVerified Purchase
    great board book; lovely pictures
  • Reviewed in the United States on February 3, 2026
    Format: Board bookVerified Purchase
    A classic book that every child should have in their library. This book is perfect for toddlers. It is high quality, durable, and engaging. I love the vivid colors, and will always remember reading this as a child myself.
    2 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on April 15, 2026
    Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
    This book has always been a hit with the little ones in the family. It was given as part of a baby shower gift for my newest great grandson. Cant go wrong with the Very Hungry Caterpillar!

Top reviews from other countries

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  • Fátima
    5.0 out of 5 stars Me encsnto
    Reviewed in Mexico on October 28, 2023
    Format: Board bookVerified Purchase
    Buena calidad del libro, muy lindo
    Report
  • Hiba qannas
    5.0 out of 5 stars ممتاز كما في الوصف
    Reviewed in Saudi Arabia on August 12, 2024
    ممتاز كما في الوصف
  • Ozgurbay
    5.0 out of 5 stars Çok iyi
    Reviewed in Turkey on October 24, 2024
    Çok hoşumuza gitti kitap, büyüklüğünü de sevdik
  • ong chen tat
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great book!
    Reviewed in Singapore on July 30, 2021
    Format: Board bookVerified Purchase
    Nice pre bedtime book :)
  • Andréa Mendonça
    5.0 out of 5 stars Que tudo chega a tempo e sem problemas"!
    Reviewed in Brazil on March 17, 2026
    Format: Board bookVerified Purchase
    Tudo certo !