The Very Hungry Caterpillar is 45!

Few books create a memory that last a lifetime, those books that do never leave us! The Very Hungry Caterpillar is a book that for many has made it to the top of the unforgettable list.

I remember sitting in a neat little circle as my kindergarten teacher read the book aloud to our class. We all chimed it to help her read after the first few pages, and we waited anxiously to see what would happen to the little caterpillar who ate too much! I went home and "read" the book to my little sister that night, and then I read it to my baby dolls and stuffed animals, I read it to my parents, and anyone who would let me read it to them. It struck me then, and it continues to be a favorite in my classroom!

My students have enjoyed the book so much over the years! I always give it a big introduction and tell them it was one of my favorites when I was a kid. I watch as they pick up the book later and "read" it to their selves or their friends. I let them borrow one of many copies from the classroom library because I imagine the same excitement that I felt when I was 6 is what they are feeling. I can just see them reading to their little sisters, brothers, parents, and stuffed animals.

This month the Very Hungry Caterpillar is celebrating it's 45th anniversary. 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.

You can read more about this milestone and download some freebies at this official website!

One lucky reader will win a fabulous prize pack to help celebrate this very special anniversary! This limited edition tote and board-book copy of  The Very Hungry Caterpillar can be yours! AND if you win, you get an extra set to give to a friend!


Enter using the rafflecopter below. 
A winner will be chosen on Saturday March 1st! 
Good luck, thanks for reading!

21 comments

  1. The Hungry Caterpillar has always been our favorite!

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  2. It is very hard to pick because I'm a huge Eric Carle fan. Papa, please get the moon for me was a favorite with my kids! Love love the tote bags!

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  3. My favorite has to be The Very Hungry Caterpillar, but I'm also a fan of Dream Snow!

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  4. I adore all the Eric Carle books! My favorite is Pancakes, Pancakes because we do a take off on the story as a class book.

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  5. I love this book and so many Eric Carle books. I fell like I have one for so many themes that I teach in preschool. I have two different copies of Brown Bear that he illustrated (the mom and the teacher one.)

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  6. Me and my kids love Eric Carle books. Some favorites, aside from The Very Hungry Caterpillar are Brown Bear, Brown Bear What Do You See? and The Grouchy Ladybug. Thanks for the chance to win.

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  7. I love that Caterpillar and so do my boys. The one downside to teaching the "big kids" is that we don't read it in class.

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  8. I love Brown Bear, Brown Bear!

    kellybrown28021@gmail.com

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  9. The Very Hungry Caterpillar is my favorite Eric Carle book! :o)

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  10. The very hungry caterpillar is my favorite.
    PrettyInPinkWife @ aol dot com

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  11. 45 years? WOW! I loved reading all of the facts and statistics about this book. Thank you for sharing!
    Alison
    Rockin' and Lovin' Learnin'

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  12. I did not realize that this book was 45 years old or that folks celebrate it on March 20th! A new "tradition" is born for me now! Thanks! :)

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  13. I have always loved The Very Hungry Caterpillar growing up and now that I have 3 of my own, it is one of our favorites!

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  14. I love The Very Hungry Caterpillar so much! I can read it over and over!

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  15. I love Eric Carle books so much !! I am working on buying them all !!

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  16. Our favorite is Draw Me a Star, thanks!

    kimberlybreid at hotmail dot com

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  17. The Pancake book is our favorite. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

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  18. My son is autistic and he loves "The Very Hungry Caterpillar", it's one of our favorite books!

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