The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle

The Very Hungry Caterpillar — a beloved children’s picture book written and illustrated by Eric Carle, first published in 1969, is one of the most popular and enduring books in children’s literature.

The story begins with a tiny caterpillar hatching from an egg. As the week goes by, he eats through different kinds of food — apples, pears, plums, strawberries, oranges, and even sweets — until he becomes very full! Afterward, he builds a cocoon around himself and later transforms into a beautiful butterfly.

The book’s simple language, bright illustrations, and interactive design (with holes in the pages) make it perfect for young readers. It gently teaches about numbers, days of the week, healthy eating, and the life cycle of a butterfly.

👉 Main Themes:

• Growth and change

• Learning and discovery

• Nature and transformation

• Counting and days of the week

👉 Author & Illustrator: Eric Carle
👉 Published: 1969
👉 Genre: Children’s literature / Picture book

💬 “But he was still hungry!” — Eric Carle, The Very Hungry Caterpillar