The Very Hungry Caterpillar

(This message post is dedicated to my youngest godchild. May your mother Sunshine read you many, many nice stories.)

Yes, it is true. I love children's books. And one of my favorite books is The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle (written in 1969).

No, I didn't get to read the book in 1969 when it was first released. I know some of you were not even BORN yet during that time but if you must know, The Very Hungry Caterpillar is among those timeless children's books.


I first saw this book at a Book Sale stall in Walter Mart when GI was still in Prep. It was the board book version I saw. I didn't buy the book at the time (and boy did I regret it especially when I checked how much it cost at National Bookstore).

I immediately fell in love with this crawly green creature.

I mean how could you not fall in love with this caterpillar? It ate everything in sight!

It ate an apple on Monday,
two pears on Tuesday,
three plums on Wednesday,
four strawberries on Thursday
and five oranges on Friday.

But it didn't stop there!

The caterpillar ate all these yummy stuff ...

and more!

The caterpillar became a big fat caterpillar ...

then became a pupa (inside the cocoon) ...
and eventually turned into a butterfly.

When RD and MyGirl were old enough to read, I would bring them to the children's section of the bookstore and we'd sit down and read this book. Eventually, I decided I really loved the book and it would be worthwhile to get a copy.

front cover

back cover

I had a very bad experience with caterpillars as a child. We lived in QC but studied in Marikina. My older siblings had whole day classes but I was only half day. However since we lived quite far from school, I would join Eldest Sis, London Eye and Sister Deer in our Volkswagen combi and wait in Pergola 2 until my bell rang so that the car didn't have to make an extra trip just for me.

There were lots of trees where I waited and consequently there were lots of insects, including caterpillars. One (or more, yikes!) dropped on my back once and I got so itchy, it was AWFUL. It is the only time I remember going to the clinic for treatment in my many years at school.

The thought of REAL caterpillars still sends shivers down my spine and there is one particular tree which I purposely avoid thinking that a caterpillar may drop on me at any instant.

I make only one exception when it comes to caterpillars. Only this little critter will pass the test.