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

                                                           

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!

Sparrow Socks by George Selden

Both of my little boys each get one story before they go to sleep.  It's been this way since both of them turned 3 months old (when we switched them over to their crib from the bassinet).  It's now something my 2 year old can't live without.  There was once that he was being naughty before he went to bed so I decided to skip storytime and get him straight to bed.  As I was leaving, he started saying "book" over and over.  It made my heart melt.  He loved his storytime and knew it was missing that night.

So I sat next to him and read him this little gem:

Sparrow Socks by George Selden (1965)

This was such an original story, which I'm grateful to find nowadays.

I won't give away the ending, but if businesses could read this book, they'd understand how this story could reflect a huge impact on the way they perform and advertise

 My copy of this book is very old, as you can see.  Barely holding on (with tape) and worn fabric for the cover.  But I love it.  It shows that it's been used and read, which is what it was meant to do.

The Story:  Angus McFee works at his father and two uncle's sock factory.  His jobs usually consist of cleaning the machines and cleaning up the extra yarn that falls out.  One winter day, he discovers his sparrow friends are cold and places socks on each one to help them out.  But unfortunately uses up all the yarn in the factory despite the business being in financial turmoil.  Learn how this little boy finds out what doing a good deed for someone (or something) does in return.  
 The story was great, though I'd have to say this wasn't a story that would intrigue a 2 year old.  Perhaps more for the 8-10 year olds.  The paragraphs are long but more unfortunately, the illustrations aren't spectacular enough for little kids.  There is some great detail, especially when he drew the machines, and I do love how the pictures are black and white expect for the socks which are red.  But they are just pencil/pen type of drawings.

For the story, it's great.  One thing you have to be aware of is when the characters talk, they speak in irish/scots dialect.  Sometimes I had a hard time figuring out what they were saying.

I was fortunate to find my copy at the thrift store for .50 cents.  It was originally a library copy from the Salt Lake Countty library.  What's interesting, and I'm sure my boys will find it interesting too is how the late fee was only .02 cents per day.  So, back then, if you didn't return this book for a year after the due date, it would only cost you $7.30.

Where to buy:

This book isn't cheap since it's no longer in print.  But would make a great addition to a library that boasts historical and vintage pieces of literature or if you read this as a child and need it to keep those memories alive.

The best place to purchase is on Amazon for about $25 plus shipping.  Click the link below to purchase: