The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle

With this blog being written about children's book, it will come as no surprise that this book would end up on here.

But I'm going to be honest with you, in my opinion, Eric Carle is a fantastic painter, illustrator and creator.  Someone can show you one of his images and you would know right off the bat that it came from Carle.  He's so unique.

But is he a great children's writer?

Not really.                 ("Boo!"...."Hiss!"...) -- This is probably what you're saying, right?

Eric Carle started out as just an illustrator.  And many people actually mistaken this book as just an Eric Carle book, but it isn't - Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?.  This book was actually written by Bill Martin, Jr. (who actually wrote Chicka Chicka Boom Boom) and he sought out Carle after seeing a picture of a lobster than Carle did.  After it's success, Carle took his turn in writing and published 1,2,3 to the Zoo   aaaannnndddd...

The Very Hungry Caterpillar (1969)

I'll admit, I have two copies.  One in board book and the other in full size hardcover.

This is a story about a Caterpillar's journey as he goes from a hungry youngin' (however you spell that) to a beautiful butterfly.

So let me say this.  This book is amazing for two reasons.

1. The pictures.

They are great.  The colors are wonderful.  The images themselves really pop out. I just remember as a little kid looking at those pictures and being so amazed.

 2. The layout.  Every kid loves the part where the caterpillar eats through the one apple, the two pears, the three plums, etc.  And where it starts out as a small page, grows bigger the more he eats through.....and those holes.  What kid doesn't like caterpillar holes through a book.

But the writing is very basic...BUT basic enough for a toddler which is why this book is great for 2-4 year olds....beyond that, I would say it's only the pictures that would amaze.

         (The above picture is of the hardcover that I have.  It's an early printing of the 1987 version)


Should Eric Carle give up on the writing?  No.  I'll admit that I have read one book that actually had a good story and great illustration (Papa, Please Get the Moon For Me) which I will cover later.  I'm still trying to get over the bad repetitiveness of The Grouchy Ladybug.  

But I wish that he'd do illustrations for other authors.  There are some great stories out there but with horrible pictures that he could have made into a masterpiece.

TIDBIT:  Every minute, a copy of The Very Hungry Caterpillar is sold.

WHERE TO BUY:

If you are looking to just get the board book, which is great for toddlers and their messy hands, then you are in luck!  Because that's pretty much how they print it anyways.  They no longer print this in paperback and if you want the hardcover version, you can buy it new or used for cheap but it's in mini version, 5"x4".

If you want the full size hardcover, it's a bit harder to find because they are no longer printed.  I've only found two in the last three years at a thrift store and one full size paperback, but all the rest are the boardbooks, which I see quite often.

But luckily Amazon and Thriftbooks both have them used.  Thriftbooks is the best place to get the full size hardcover since it's cheaper.

Click below to purchase from either Thriftbooks or Amazon

The Very Hungry Caterpillar by: Eric Carle $3.59

                                                           

Locomotive by Brian Floca

My two year old boy is obsessed with trains.  In fact, we went to a grand opening of a local library more because they were giving free mini train rides.  Of course, we had to wait multiple times in line for that little boy.  Evening waiting in line for the balloon artists, he kept pointing over to the train saying "toot toot".

So for the love of my little boy and his love for trains, this next book is a 2014 Caldecot Winner.  Great book with so much information (interesting even for me, by the way) about trains.

Locomotive by Brian Floca    (2014)

 By the way, if you find a First Edition of a Caldecot Winner......BUY IT!  It increases in price every year.

 This book starts out in the East.  The transcontinental railroad has been completed so you will be taking a reading journey from Omaha to Sacramento with many stops in between in order to get that experience.  With historical facts, train tidbits, and a great geography lesson, this book gives you everything for that train lover.  I, Me, Myself....was actually into this book.

I have no doubts of the 2014 winner.  Such wonderful pictures plus it actually had some funny facts in it.  I loved the page in the above picture.  "if the chicken tastes like prairie dog, don't ask why."  

WHERE TO BUY:

Thriftbooks.com - This is available on thriftbooks but for a hefty price for just used.  It's about $9.50 plus $.99 cent shipping.  But purchase $10 and over and you get free shipping.  Plus, join the rewards program and for every $50 you spend at thriftbooks, you get a $5 code back

Amazon.com - The best place if you want to buy this book alone.  It's about $5.00 with $3.99 shipping used, so only slightly cheaper than thriftbooks.  But you can buy this book new for pretty much the same price as buying used, about $10.  

WORTH IT!  So grab it now while it's still in print.  Great addition for that train lover!

CLICK BELOW TO PURCHASE

                                                                   

Locomotive (Caldecott Medal Book) by: Brian Floca $9.36

Gus Goes to School (aka Gus Was a Real Dumb Ghost) by Jane Thayer

If you go to a thrift store often to find a book, more than likely you've come across this next book.  It was very popular back in the 80s and 90s.  I know that I owned this classic (with the newer title, not with the original) and I can remember reading it many times.

So let's get on with this classic and I'm pretty sure it's going to bring back many memories from your childhood.  I mean, really, who didn't read this book?

Gus Goes to School (Original title: Gus Was a Real Dumb Ghost) by Jane Thayer   (1982)

Gus Goes to School was part of the Weekly Reader Children's Book Club

All three of the above books are the same.  The Gus Was a Real Dumb Ghost was the original title but I'm sure was changed to not be so offensive to others or maybe to not say the word "dumb" in a child's book title.  Right now, I have the hardcover of the Gus Goes to School, which by the way was given to my son by his grandmother since she kept it from my husband's childhood days.

I also have the paperback copy and the hardcover copy of the original title.

  So what's this book about?  Well, Gus goes to school......  okay, more info?  Gus spends all of his time haunting an old house, turned museum.  When he writes his autobiography and sends it into a publisher, he is embarrassed when it's returned to him with with all the mistakes pointed out to him.  He makes the brave decision to go to school to learn more.

 Another great classic that has a good moral to it.  You go to school to LEARN.  Otherwise, you spell things wrong and you are embarrassed.  But Gus realizes that going to school isn't an easy task.  It takes focus, attention and patience to learn.  Something every kid goes through and I really feel they can relate to this book.

(the above picture is the copyright for my hardcover book of the original title.  It has the full printing line but does not say First Edition.  I'm hoping someone will tell me if this is the First Edition or not)

During my child reading days, I had no idea that this book belonged to a series.  The Gus the Ghost Series.

In fact, there are 8 books, and this book was printed 20 years after the first one.  I started with this story since it's the most popular and many individuals will recognize it.  I do have a few of the others, but I'm patiently waiting to receive the ones I don't have.

Also, Jane Thayer is a pen name.  Her real name was Catherin Woolley and sadly passed away in 2005.  She left behind a great legacy that I'm sure children will love for many decades to come.

WHERE TO BUY:

Definitely add this book to your collection.  It's a sentimental book for many and the story will have a lasting effect for your child especially if they have a hard time focusing at school.

Thriftbooks.com - $3.59 plus .99 cents for shipping.  If you purchase $10 or more, you receive free shipping PLUS their new rewards program is great.  For every $50 you spend on your account, you will get a $5 code

Amazon.com - $.01 plus $3.99 shipping USED.  This is the cheapest if you plan to buy this book alone.  If you want to purchase the book with the original title, it will cost you more but it is available on their website.

Click below to purchase

Gus Was A Real Dumb Ghost by: Jane Thayer $3.59

                                                                   

King Bidgood's in the Bathtub by Audrey Wood

When I initially started looking for children's books (I was about 6 months pregnant with my first), there was one book that I really, REALLY wanted but could not figure out the name of it.  I knew that I loved the story as a child, I looked forward to reading time because of this book, but I just could not remember anything except for one image.

Here is that image that I had in my head:

I just remembered a page boy going up the stairs and that it had to do something with him helping a king.  

So, my only option was just to google "page boy king children's book"

Lo, and behold......the book showed up instantly.  I guess there are not many books out there about a page boy and a king for children.

So here is one of my childhood favorites.  One that I desperately wanted to own but didn't, but thank goodness to school libraries so I could indulge.

King Bidgood's in the Bathtub by Audrey Wood   (1985)

Caldecot Honor Book

 The story is very simple but incredibly imaginative.  The king is in the bathtub and refuses to get out!  As an adult, I can now understand why he didn't want to get out.  I probably take 20 minute showers just because that is my only time I get to myself.  But this king, while refusing to get out, prefers to conduct all of his business (now don't think dirty) in that tub.  From eating to planning out war, he just won't leave that tub despite his loyal servant's suggestions.

 Now, let me talk about the greatest thing about this book.  I absolutely LOVE the illustrations.  Don Wood is fantastic.  He's an artist....he IS an artist.

Look at these details and the life of the pages.  They seem real without looking too real.  I love it, did I mention that?

Don & Audrey Wood are an absolutely amazing team.  They are husband and wife and have collaborated on about 20 books.  I commend them for making unique, beautiful children's books that I'm sure my kids will love.  You will definitely see more of these two in other posts since I have other stories by them.

This is a great book and a MUST HAVE for your child's library or at least to check out at the library.  I actually have two copies of this book.  I bought one from Thriftbooks.com cause I just couldn't wait for a thrift store find and another copy that I did find at the thrift store a few months ago that was an early printing with a dust jacket.  You can't pass that up.

WHERE TO BUY?

Thriftbooks.com - $3.59 with .99 cent shipping USED.  If you order $10 or more, you get free shipping which makes this the cheapest option

Amazon.com - .01 cents with $3.99 shipping USED.  This is the best price if you want to purchase the book alone.  You can also purchased new for $13.94 for hardcover and $7.99 in paperback.

Click below to purchase this classic!!
                                                                   

King Bidgood's in the Bathtub by: Audrey Wood $3.59

Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs by Judi Barrett

When a production team decides to make a movie from a children's book, it's mostly "loosely" based on that book.  Meaning?  They only took the idea of the book so the stories are going to be different.

That's what happened with this next book that you will more than likely recognize the name, but I'm shocked by how many people didn't know that it started out as a book.

Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs by Judi Barrett (1978)

 Great, GREAT book!  After reading, I can see why it was named one of the top 100 picture books of all time.  It's an original story, original idea......you will have the focus of all your children.

The story tells of a town called Chewandswallow.  All towns have all sorts of weather, but this town's is special.  Instead of rain and snow, they will have food fall from the sky.

The town never goes hungry and each citizen anticipates what new food will fall the next day.  But with each passing season, the food seems to be getting larger, and larger and larger.  So what is a town to do with food that keeps falling that's about 500 times larger than it normally is?

 The illustrations:  SO SPECTACULAR!  Each page is filled with detail.  And the colors.....I swoon!  I love how the illustrator stuck with just a few colors.

AWESOME!

The movie Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs is completely different from this story.  There is no inventor in this book.  In fact, the main character in this story is a grandfather narrating this story to his kids about a town he had heard of.

There are two sequels to this book:  Pickles to Pittsburgh & Planet of the Pies

WHERE TO BUY:

Thriftbooks.com - $3.59 with .99 cent shipping.  If you order more than $10, you get free shipping which makes it cheaper than buying on Amazon

Amazon.com - Used is $0.01 with $3.99 shipping.  This will be the cheapest if you plan to buy this book alone.  Or you can purchase new for about $11.96 for hardcover or $6.00 for paperback.

Click below to purchase:

Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs by: Judi Barrett $3.59

                                                                  

A My Name is Annabel by Michaela Muntean (Sesame Street Book Club)

Being a kid of the 80's, I was very much into Sesame Street.  But I'm sure the kids from the 90s, 00s and even today were and are into them, too.  But it's the 80's kids that know exactly what I'm talking about when I say SESAME STREET BOOK CLUB.

For those of you who don't know them or maybe want more info, let me explain:

Before Internet, before email, before video games were more than just a joystick, and most of all, before Amazon.....there was the Sesame Street book club..... and also an outside world but I'm not here to judge.

These books were only available via mail-in and there are about 60 titles available.  Since they are all out of print, thrift stores and online stores are the best place to retrieve them.

But let me tell you, these are well written.  These aren't the books that have one word on each page and basic square and circle illustrations.  These books had thought put into them.  They will teach your kid the basics that they need to know for ages about 2-6 years old.  I remember reading these books and grabbing some vocabulary skills from them.  But your child can also learn math/counting, colors, alphabet, how to deal with life changes and more!

Many you can find in the thrift store for about .50 - $2 but there are some titles I'm still having a hard time finding and might have to resort to getting them online.  Right now I have about 44 of the 60...so I'm getting there.

By the way, you'd think that most of the stories would be about Elmo, it isn't.  During the times these were published, Grover was the most popular muppet.

A My Name is Annabel by Michaela Muntean

This is a great book in regards to teaching your kid the alphabet.  I love how it integrates people's names in order to teach this.  I mean, kids go around, learning other kid's names.  Why not incorporate that with that each kid's name begins with a different letter?  Plus, each page is filled with items beginning with that letter so your kid can point out each one for even more fun.

These books are easy to tell if you have a first printing.  Go to the very last page of the book before you hit the cover.  You will see an alphabet line.  If it starts with A, congrats, you have a first printing.  If it starts with B, it's a second printing, and so on.  Just make sure it's actually printed in the early 1980's.  They did a reprint in later years of these books that have a crazy border around the cover.  

Seriously....I'm being serious.  These books you NEED to add to your child's collection.  They are a must have.

This book in particular you might find at a thrift store, but to be honest, I've only seen it once in 3 years and it's this copy right here.  But you can find it for a great, cheap price (about $4.00 used) on my favorite sites, Amazon and Thriftbooks.  Click the links below to purchase and make your child's library an even greater one:

Pickle-Chiffon Pie by Jolly Roger Bradfield

This next book is not one that I read as a kid.  In fact, I didn't know it existed until 2 years ago when I found it in a Savers Thrift Store, looked it up on Amazon, and saw that Amazon was actually paying people to trade in this book cause the demand is high for it.

And because of that, I have two copies....  I was going to trade it in to Amazon to make money off of it, but I couldn't get it out of my hand and into an envelope.  So I kept both.  I mean, I have two kids.  Why not?

Pickle - Chiffon Pie by Jolly Roger Bradfield  (1967)

I read this the other night to my oldest son (who doesn't understand anything I say...or just doesn't care) but I really enjoyed it.

This is about a King (who loves pickle-chiffon pie) who wants the best prince to marry his princess.  He has three men prove themselves by sending them out into the forest.  Each man has to come back with the most unusual, unique thing they have ever seen.

When the first two princes have found what they were looking for, the third prince thinks he has, until he realizes that the animal he found (who makes pickle-chiffon pie) has a family, he is in a dilemma.....  tear him away from his family to send him to the king to win the princess' hand or lose his only chance at winning but keep a family together.

Your child will find out what is the most honorable (and unique) thing to do beyond all else.

It's such a cute story.  I love the moral of the book as well.  It's not often you find a story that's so original as this one, which is why it's probably in high demand on Amazon, too.

Plus, how can you pass up a book with an author such as Jolly Roger?  I mean, really?  I think that's what initially got me looking at the book.

The illustrations are perfect for the 60's as well.  I must have some type of 60's - 70's colors fetish because I just adore it.  Especially the way they look like watercolors in this book.  It looks like the illustrator ACTUALLY took his time to create those pictures.

Is this book worth it?  YES!  You need a book with honorable morals.  No more ABC books or a funny book about squirrels or pigeons....we have enough of those.  This is a book that a child should read.

You can purchase this on both Amazon and Thriftbooks USED for the same amount.  You will be paying about $10 for the lowest amount but it will be worth it.  You can hold out if you want for a thrift store find but in 3 years, I've only seen 2.  (And that's searching about 9 different thrift stores)

By the way, Amazon is no longer accepting trade ins.

Click below to purchase at either Amazon or Thriftbooks to get this wonderful story!