I can’t think of a children’s book author that I love more than Eric Carle. We read his books a minimum of twice a week, and our very favorite book is The Very Hungry Caterpillar.
Can you believe that this classic book is celebrating its 45th anniversary? It has been inspiring children, awakening imaginations, and making people hungry for 45 years now!
*Compensation has been received for this post. Affiliate links to follow.
2014 marks the 45th anniversary of Eric Carle’s pre-school classic, The Very Hungry Caterpillar. The anniversary will be officially celebrated on the annual “Very Hungry Caterpillar Day” which takes place every year on the first day of spring (March 20th).
Since its publication in 1969, 36 million copies of the book have sold worldwide and it has been published in 55 languages. That year the book was also named one of the best children’s books of the year by The New York Times, and it has since become a beloved, must-own classic. Today, every 30 seconds, somewhere in the world, a copy of The Very Hungry Caterpillar is sold.
Eric Carle (www.eric-carle.com) is acclaimed and beloved as the creator of brilliantly illustrated and innovatively designed picture books for very young children. He has illustrated more than seventy books, many best sellers, and more than 100 million copies of his books have sold around the world. In 2002, Eric and his wife Barbara opened The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art (www.carlemuseum.org)
in Amherst, MA, a 40,000 square foot space dedicated to inspiring a love of art among children by introducing them to picture book art by renowned artists from around the world.
My favorite thing about the book is how colorful and playful it is. Eric Carle has an incredible talent, and I enjoy being carried away in his vibrant fantasy world of life lessons and sweet friends. My children love to climb into my lap and listen to the stories over and over. (Our second favorite is The Grouchy Ladybug. What can I say? We love insects!)
We have done several homeschool assignments based on this book, like this set of The Very Hungry Caterpillar Homeschool Activities. I’ve also seen some super cute coordinating toys, games, and even a coloring book.
The Very Hungry Caterpillar is great for children and adults of all ages. It brings everyone together and is a fun read, even though it is definitely educational!
We have used this book as a starting point for further exploration and learning time and time again. Each time we read it, my kids come up with more questions or thoughts, so we’re able to dig deep into research and learn new things. I love teachable moments, and Eric Carle books naturally foster them.
Eric Carle seems like such a neat guy, and his talent is simply astounding.
Are you interested in winning some sweet The Very Hungry Caterpillar Swag?
This is the front and back of the tote that I am giving away to one lucky reader!
One Lucky Winner Gets a GREAT 45th Anniversary Prize Pack!
One (1) winner receives:
- · A limited edition anniversary tote and a copy of The Very Hungry Caterpillar board book
Prizing courtesy of Penguin
Giveaway open to US mailing addresses only
Comment to Win!
Leave me a comment telling me why The Very Hungry Caterpillar is special to you! Be sure to leave an email address so I can get back to you if you win.
Giveaway closes 3/16/14 at 11:59PM. US Only.
We LOVE this book at our house! It’s the first book that my oldest “read” out loud, and she still loves to read it to her siblings!
I used to read this to my kids all the time when they were little. We wore our copy out. It’s time for a new one to read to the littles who come visit us often.
This book is very special to me because I remember my kindergarten teacher would have us all pick a letter of the alphabet on the rug and we’d sit on it and she’d read us the story and ask questions throughout.
I’d love to win this! Eric Carle has been a favorite of mine since I was a child. We have many of his books – but for some reason, we do not have this one. The Very Busy Spider is a favorite in our house and I know my daughter would love The Very Hungry Caterpillar too – such bright colors!
Eric Carle is great! His books are all so colorful and creative. My boys both love this story, but we have only borrowed it from the library. It would make a great addition to our ever-growing library. Thanks for the giveaway!
I love reading this book to my grand kids. They have a Hungry Hungry puzzle and this would make a great addition to the puzzle.
This was the first book we got for our daughter — we received it as a present at the first baby shower! 🙂
This is one of my son’s favorite books, even at 5! I’d love to win so we can replace our first book which is a bit tattered and well-loved by now!
We love this book, I donated our copy many years ago not knowing I would have another child at 40. We love the story and the colorful illustrations.
This is a fun book that every child loves. It gets kids interested in reading. Eric Carle is amazing !
I loved this book as a child. This was one of our first books that we checked out from the library when my kids got their library card.
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We love love love Eric Carle’s books and with a brand new arrival we could sure use the tote and book set!! This was one of my favorites growing up and I continue to read it to my kids. We homeschool too and what better way to segue into science and butterflies than with the Hungry, Hungry Caterpillar?! Great giveaway!
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Love the book and so many fun activities can spin off from this book.. awesome fun.
I adored this book as a child and now my daughter loves it too! We love counting the fruit and putting our fingers in the holes the caterpillar ate 🙂
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Both The Very Hungry Caterpillar and Eric Carle have had a huge impact on my life. I can remember as a child, sitting in my school library and having the librarian read it to us as the book of the week. I waited until the next monday and asked if I could take the book out. I loved it. I loved all the colors, the artwork, everything. When the book was due back, I returned it and asked if I could take it out again. My librarian wanted to give other kids a chance so after a few days, I had asked again. The other kids had forgotten about the book by this point so I took it out again and continued that for a few weeks. After that, my librarian told me about all the other books that Eric Carle wrote. I took out Eric Carle books the rest of the year. I remember this vividly because of all the beautiful colors. His illustrations stand out. Now I am 28 and have two children of my own, ages 3 and 5. I’ve bought them an Eric Carle book every year but don’t yet have this one. We started out with his numbers and letters books and now that they’re getting older, wer’re moving to the books I used to read as a child. My kids love the books for the same reason I did as a child, his illustrations and use of color. I think every child should know who Eric Carle is. He is an amazing author. I would love to give my kids The Very Hungry Caterpillar. I think they would love everything about it including the little holes in all the foods the caterpillar eats. Thank you for such a wonderful giveaway!
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I grew up with this book! Now I am enjoying sharing it with my children too. My daughter learned to count from reading this book together. My little son loves to make the butterfly “fly” at the end. And both of my kids love to help the caterpillar “POP” out of the egg. Our very loved copy is showing its use, this would be so fun to win.
barnyardbeanies(at)gmail(dot)com
I loved reading these book to the toddlers I used to work for!
The Very Hungry Caterpillar was my favorite book as a child and I’d love to be able to introduce it into the lives of my own kids, nieces, and nephews!
it’s special to me b/c I read it when I was growing up and I now read this book to my kids!
This book is special in our home becuase I used to have it read to me by my parents and now my I read it to my kids! It is a great little story and even at 34 I still enjoy this book! Eric carlile is a great childrens author and will hopefullyalways be passed on from generation to generation!
i have always been a fan of his books but this one is one kids seem to really love – I love the art and being a former preschool teacher I have read this book more times they I can count love it
This is a book I read to my kids and I would LOVE to read it to my Grandkids!! Thank you for the chance!!
This was the first book my grandmother gave to my daughter. A month later she passed away!
melissamiller2002@Yahoo.com
I discovered this book when I was in elementary, bought and read it to my neice when I was a teen then bought it again for my oldest and 12 years old looking to own it again for my youngest!
This book is special to me because this was the first book I can remember ever reading and I would love to introduce this book to my daughter! I know she would love it! Thank you so much for the chance!
emilyprabetry@yahoo.com
I would love to win this sweet book to add to our library for years of enjoyment.
I love this book! It was one of the first I could read by myself as a kid. I will always love the very hungry caterpillar!
The Very Hungry Caterpillar is special to me because I read this book when I was growing up.
Its one of the first books I bought for my daughter
I love Eric Carle Books. The colors and picures in them. I read The Very Hungry Caterpillar to my boys and they loved it. I would love to get this for my grandkids.
It is a lot of fun spending time with my kids reading with them.
I was a library volunteer and I remember reading this to the kids and they loved it.
deb_lewis4@hotmail.com
I use to read this book to my kids when they were little. Such sweet, sweet, memories. I now have a 2 year old grandson and I know he would love this book as much as his mommy did 🙂
I remember reading the Very Hungry Caterpillar when I was little, and all three of my boys love the story!
The Hungry Caterpillar is special to me because it is the first book I ever remember having as a child. My favorite aunt gave it to me. I have five children now, and have always read them this story growing up. My oldest is now getting ready to go to college….
This is one of my favorite children’s books, ones of those that my kids have wanted me to read over and over again from the oldest to the youngest. (and yes, my copy needs to go into retirement…it is a little worn out!)
This was the first book we got for our neice
Apart of childhood, i think every child has been read hungry caterpillar.
It’s so special because I can think of my little twin boys, giggling and pointing at the different foods the caterpillar eats 🙂
My parents read this to us as children.. It was our favorite. I’d love to be able to read it to my children.
This was my oldest child’s favorite book for a long time. Brings back memories to read it. We also made a story board using this book for a Reading Fair project.
It’s special to me because I remember loving it as a child
I just love this book because my grandkids love it
This was a favorite book of mine as a kid, and now I have the pleasure of reading it to my own children!
I read this to my grandkids and they have always loved it.
I read this when I was a kid. After my daughter was born I was able to read it to her too.
My mom was a librarian and I remember reading this book at story time on the library lawn.
freshsamanthaaa (at) hotmail (.) com
This was one of my favorite books as a kid! I haven’t yet purchased a copy for my daughter, but I definitely should!
The Very Hungry Caterpillar is a story I’ve used in my preschool class for 10 years. My son loves the book too. When he was two we were in the store and he saw a plush very hungry caterpillar and he started crying “my patapillar! my patapillar!” so of course I had to buy him the ‘patapillar’. 🙂 3 years later he still loves to get out ‘patapillar’ and the book and read it. I’ve read it to him many times and now he’s beginning to read it to me!
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We have been checking this book out from the library so owning a copy would be great. And it would make a nice Easter gift for my kids along with some caterpillars for our butterfly tent.
I grew up with this book. I remember so many fun projects focused around it. It is such a gem of children’s literature! Eric Carle is incredible! I am a soon-to-be elementary teacher and would love a copy of the book for my classroom. I know my current students would get a kick out of this bag, too! I would use it all the time!!! <3
My siblings and I loved reading this book with my mom and I have bought a copy for everyone of my nieces and nephew’s baby showers.
This book was a favorite of my daughter’s when she was young and I would love to win a copy for my friend’s young children so they could enjoy it too!
I used to love reading this book and watching the caterpillar “eat” his way through the book. I would love to have it to read to my son!
I’ve been a teacher for 20 years and I have read The VHC to every single class. It’s always a huge hit with all kids, no matter what! I would love to celebrate the 45th anniversary of this children’s classic by showing off the tote at all the teacher conferences I attend!
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I used to read this when I was younger and loved all of the colors and pictures. Definitely a book I would love to have for my son!
This was a favorite book of my children when they were young, and I would love to win a copy to share with the next generation in our family.
This book is special to me because I read it with my children at home. I also shared it with my students at school. Everyone loved this book!
it was a childhood fave
I remember reading The Very hungry Caterpillar when I was little. Then when my much younger little brothers started reading it. Now we just had a little girl so I would love to continue the tradition with her. I think all of Eric Carle’s books are just fantastic and beautiful with all the bright colors.
I am a sign language interpreter, and when I interpreted for a preschool VPK class this was their favorite book! I would love to share it with my kids when I have them!
I remember sugaring this book with my sister and feeling all of the holes.
I remember my mom reading this to me as a little girl and it’s now my son’s favorite book!
I love the special time my little guy and i spend together when we read the Very Hungry Caterpillar together!
I actually have this book and have read it to my 10 year old daughter since she was a baby now I read it to my 2 year old… I would love to win this for my niece she’s 10 months old and I now my sister would love it for her… Thanks for the chance to win I love this book!
My youngest son has a hungry caterpillar themed room. I read it ti my oldest so many times, he can use the stickers on this brother’s wall to retell the story to him!
This is a special book because it’s one I always read to my granddaughters!
It’s one book all my kids know!
I remember these books from when I was a child 🙂 I’ve read them to my five younger siblings many times
Through years as a preschool teacher, this is my all-time favorite read aloud book!
This book is priceless to me because I have so many precious memories of reading this to my first child. It was his absolute favorite book and we read it at least 10 times (usually more than that) every day. Unfortunately the copies I have bought of the book are very worn out now and now that I am expecting another baby, I would love to get a new one so I can create some special memories with this baby as well.
rachel_demille@yahoo.com
The Hungry Caterpillar is actually my boyfriends favorite childhood book, so both of our little ones have a board book of Hungry Caterpillar and both LOVE it! It’s their favorite bedtime story and my daughter even had an adorable pair of overalls that had this caterpillar on it! She just grew out of it, so I’d love to have another Hungry Caterpillar thing to give her and make my boyfriend happy!
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I would love to get this prize pack because the very hungry Caterpillar because its a book that was a huge part of my childhood and will be a big part of my kids as well. Its honestly one of the best children books out there. It encompasses growing, eating, and being yourself these are great things for kids to understand and would be a great addition to my little ones library. Thank you for the opportunity.
I love this book no matter your age you can read it over and over.
The Very Hungry Caterpillar is the favorite storybook of my children and it is a classic that can be passed down through the generations!
I LOVED the Hungry Caterpillar as a child! I would check it out constantly from the school library!! Love it!! kristiedonelson(at)gmail(dot)com Thank you!