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• The Very Hungry Caterpillar is an influential children's book written and illustrated by author Eric Carle. Published in 1969, The Very Hungry Caterpillar has gone on to become one of the most popular children's books published in the 20th century. The easy-to-read book follows a caterpillar as it eats a hole through ice cream, salami, watermelon, a slice of Swiss cheese, and a lollipop. The caterpillar eventually cocoons, emerging as a butterfly at the conclusion of the tale.

• Fast Facts

  1. Author: Eric Carle
  2. Genre: children's book
  3. Pages: 13
  4. First published in March 1969
  5. Carle came up with the idea after punching holes into a stack of paper with a hole-puncherMetro.co.uk: Hungry Caterpillar author on zoo maths
  6. Caterpillar was originally to be called Willy The WormMetro.co.uk: Hungry Caterpillar author on zoo maths
  7. Google redesigned their logo on March 20, 2009, to celebrate the book's 40th anniversaryTelegraph.co.uk: Google celebrates Eric Carle's Very Hungry Caterpillar (March 20, 2009)
  8. George W. Bush cited as one of his childhood favorites, despite it's publishing in 1969, a year after Bush's graduation from Yale UniversitySFGate: Bush Gets (Green) Egg on His Face Over Reading List

• Quotes

  "My guess is it’s a book of hope. That you, an insignificant, ugly little caterpillar can grow up and eventually unfold your talent, and fly into the world."Metro.co.uk: Hungry Caterpillar author on zoo maths — Eric Carle, on the book's popularity

  "My background was graphic design, and I’m interested in having flat paper do more than just be flat. I like adding holes, or folds or shortening pages – then it’s partly a toy, it’s touchable."Metro.co.uk: Hungry Caterpillar author on zoo maths — Eric Carle, on his technique

• Related Pages on Mahalo

  Eric Carle | Dr. Seuss | Green Eggs and Ham | The Cat in the Hat | Where the Sidewalk Ends | The Very Hungry Caterpillar Printables

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