The Very Hungry Caterpillar
The holes in the pages are still one of the best ideas anyone has ever had in a book.
Why they ask for it again
A finger fits through every hole. They are not looking at the caterpillar eating, they are doing the eating.
Our review
A caterpillar eats through one apple on Monday, two pears on Tuesday, and on Saturday a completely unhinged feast of cake, pickle, salami and watermelon. Then a stomach ache, one green leaf, a cocoon, and a butterfly that fills the last page.
It teaches counting and the days of the week without seeming to, and the die-cut holes give small fingers something to do. Biology fans will point out that butterflies come from a chrysalis, not a cocoon. Toddlers have not raised this as an issue.
How to read it aloud
List Saturday's food with growing disbelief, and groan at the stomach ache. Save your biggest reveal for the final butterfly, and open that page slowly.
The catch
Parents may tire of it faster than their children will. It is simple, and it can feel very familiar very fast.
Is it scary?
Nothing scary. There is a stomach ache.
Books like The Very Hungry Caterpillar, and what to read next
Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?Same artist, and they can start saying it with you.
Dear ZooKeeps their hands busy, with flaps instead of holes.
We're Going on a Bear HuntA bigger story to grow into, with just as much to do.
Quick answers
What age is The Very Hungry Caterpillar for?
Ages 0–5. The sweet spot, in our opinion, is age 1 to 3.
How long does The Very Hungry Caterpillar take to read aloud?
About 4 minutes at a calm bedtime pace, by our estimate. Allow longer if you do the voices.
Is The Very Hungry Caterpillar scary?
Nothing scary. There is a stomach ache.
What should we read after The Very Hungry Caterpillar?
We would suggest Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?, Dear Zoo, We're Going on a Bear Hunt.