Author: Eric Carle
Title: The Very Hungry Caterpillar
Illustrator: Eric Carle
Publisher: Philomel Books
Year: 1983
Genre: Concept book
Format: Hardcover
Reading Level: Assisted, emergent reader
Interest level: Early elementary
Topics: caterpillar, butterfly, food, life cycle, fruits, numbers, days of week
Summary: There was a small egg on a leaf. One day it hatched and out came a little tiny caterpillar. The caterpillar was very hungry so he went off to find some food. He ate a lot of fruit but was still hungry, so, he ate a lot of other food such as a pickle, cheese, pie, and a cupcake to name a few. That night he felt very sick. The next day he ate a nice, green leaf and he felt much better but now he wasn't hungry anymore! So, he built a small house and he stayed in there sleeping for a few weeks. One day he made a little hole and wiggled out. He had become a beautiful butterfly!
Extension Activity: Have the kids illustrate the life cycle of a caterpillar and talk about all the different kinds there are and what they like to eat. Talk about heathy eating and what we can eat that will help us grow in a healthy way!
