The Very Hungry Caterpillar
Hey mommas and kids, it’s another installment of Jessica’s Story Corner!
This week we’re talking about “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” by Eric Carle. This book is typically for kids ages 2-5, or those with equivalent skill level. For younger kids check out our blog on “Goodnight Moon.” “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” is a good fit for anyone who likes good stories or caterpillars. It’s also a treat for those who eat with their eyes! In fact, when I pulled the book out my husband reread it and fell in love!
For those not in the know, the story takes place on a hot sunny Sunday when a cute caterpillar hatches from an egg. This caterpillar is also incredibly hungry and goes on one gigantic food binge. **Bring on the fat pants…** Each page displays pictures of wonderful fruits, plants, and basically any kind of food the caterpillar can find. I won’t spoil the end for you, except to say, “a hungry caterpillar plus food equals?…”
Language Activities
You can also use this book to generate a lot of different activities for the kids to enjoy. Here’s a video of activities I’ve done in the past with clients. In it I use the book for speech therapy sessions to build language skills and make the story more interactive.
Also, our friends over at The Spruce Crafts have thought up all sorts of arts and crafts just for this book. You can make a paper chain craft of the caterpillar or create fruit pizzas, and that’s just the tip of the iceberg of great ideas.
If you’re down with YouTube (and really, who isn’t these days), check out this animated narration of the book that you can share and enjoy with your kids. You can show it to your kiddos while you’re out at a restaurant knowing that they’ll be getting their learn on while you’re enjoying another slice from the bread basket.
Outdoor Activities
The book is also inspiration for taking advantage of the wonderful summer weather with outdoor activities. Go berry picking with your kids or go out to the countryside where fruit stands are a dime a dozen. Inspect all types of fruits growing in a garden or on a farm. Buy some oranges and cut them up to make orange “smiles.” Speaking of oranges, you can use the different fruits from the book to make a nice refreshing fruit salad. For those who are interested in all types of insects, not just caterpillars, there’s the Bug Museum. Located in Bremerton, Washington, they feature a bunch of preserved and live specimens, some you can also buy. And best of all, it’s free!
Ready to dive in to a fun story about caterpillars…. about what they eat, and how BIG their appetites can get? Or maybe you just need to spice it up for bedtime with your preschooler. If so, then “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” by Eric Carle is the book for you. But don’t just take my word for it!