Submitted by: Joan Wabschall, Executive Director
When I think of children’s authors/illustrators, I think of Eric Carle. His book, The Very Hungry Caterpillar has been translated into more than 55 languages. In all his books, his art is distinctive and easily recognizable as a “collage technique.” He uses hand-painted papers which he cuts and layers to form bright, colorful images. The themes for his stories are usually drawn from his knowledge and love of nature.
In The Very Hungry Caterpillar, a baby caterpillar hatches from an egg and experiences cravings for foods. He eats his way through a variety of foodstuffs (leaving holes in the pages of the book) until he gets a tummy ache. He then makes a cocoon and emerges as a bright, colorful butterfly with large, gorgeous multi-colored wings.
The Very Hungry Caterpillar is a children’s classic and a must-read for pre-school children.