Think back to your childhood. Did you have any favorite books? I sure did. I had A LOT of favorites. In fact I am still in possession of most of my childhood favorites. I kept them all these years because I wanted to share my beloved books with my children and someday my grandchildren too.
Every now and then I’ll take a few of the books out of storage and flip through the pages and reminisce about how much I enjoyed reading the books and what fun adventures I took in my mind when I was reading them.
One book that I loved as a child (and still do today) is The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle. The Very Hungry Caterpillar is celebrating it’s 45th Anniversary this year. WOW!
I remember sitting in my playroom by my bookcase flipping through the pages of this book. I remember feeling sorry for the little caterpillar because he was so hungry and nothing filled him up. I would think to myself that someone should make him a dinner like my mom would make (meat, potato and a vegetable) because that would fill him up more than some leaves. 🙂 I was happy when he was finally full.
I have always loved butterflies. I wonder if that stems from reading The Very Hungry Caterpillar?
Here is a little more information about this classic book’s anniversary.
2014 marks the 45th anniversary of Eric Carle’s pre-school classic, The Very Hungry Caterpillar. The anniversary will be officially celebrated on the annual “Very Hungry Caterpillar Day” which takes place every year on the first day of spring (March 20th).
Since its publication in 1969, 36 million copies of the book have sold worldwide and it has been published in 55 languages. That year the book was also named one of the best children’s books of the year by The New York Times, and it has since become a beloved, must-own classic. Today, every 30 seconds, somewhere in the world, a copy of The Very Hungry Caterpillar is sold.
Eric Carle (www.eric-carle.com) is acclaimed and beloved as the creator of brilliantly illustrated and innovatively designed picture books for very young children. He has illustrated more than seventy books, many best sellers, and more than 100 million copies of his books have sold around the world. In 2002, Eric and his wife Barbara opened The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art (www.carlemuseum.org) in Amherst, MA, a 40,000 square foot space dedicated to inspiring a love of art among children by introducing them to picture book art by renowned artists from around the world.
I love that they marked the first day of spring Very Hungry Caterpillar Day. That is a cute idea and a fun way to mark this special anniversary.
If you would like to learn more about The Very Hungry Caterpillar and other Eric Carle books you can visit the Official Site and you can “like” The World of Eric Carle on Facebook. In addition you can check out Penguin Kids, the book’s publisher on both Facebook (Penguin Kids) and on Twitter (@PenguinKids).
To help celebrate The Very Hungry Caterpillar’s anniversary I have a special giveaway, compliments of Penguin. One winner will receive;
- A limited edition anniversary tote
- A copy of The Very Hungry Caterpillar (board book)
- Plush Caterpillar
This giveaway is open to continental U.S. residents only and will end on February 28, 2014 at 11:59 PM (EST). The winner will be chosen at random using a random number generator from all eligible entries. The winner will be notified via e-mail and will have three days to reply or a new winner will be chosen in their place.
To enter please comment on this post and share with my a special memory you have about The Very Hungry Caterpillar – or – tell me why you want to win this prize package?
For extra entries you can use the Rafflecopter widget (below) but you must complete the initial entry requirement (I do check) or the extra entries won’t qualify. Extra entries are optional.
Kimberly
*I will be receiving a similar prize package in exchange for my participation. There was no compensation. The opinions expressed are my own and not influenced in any way.
Megan Cromes says
i remember reading this when i was little. ty 😉
latanya says
My son loves this book, so this would be great to have for him.
Katy M says
I remember reading this to my little brother and would love to win this for my new daughter to continue the tradition!
Kelly D says
I would like to win so I could read this book to my kids.
Cynthia R says
I want ot win this prize pack because my little niece would love it.
Kelly Brown says
I’d love to win this for my classroom! My students would love it!
Kelly Brown says
I follow you on Bloglovin
Jessica says
I read this as a kid and read it to my children would love to have to give to them.
Janet W. says
I want to win this prize package because my grandson would love to hold this plush as we read the story together!
Darlene Owen says
i have been reading my 2 year old granddaughter this book and she loves it. She would love the stuffed caterpillar.
Lenora D says
I don’t remember this book from my childhood, but I would love to have a copy for my kids.
D Schmidt says
I have vivid memories of my Mother reading this book to me when I was a child, I loved it.
Debra Hall says
i would love to win this for my grandaughter she would enjoy it
Debra Hall says
i follow on bloglovin
Katie Amanda says
I’d love to give this to my niece. Hopefully she’ll love this book as much as I do.
Kristie says
This would be great for my sister’s little one! Thank you for the chance to win! 🙂
shelly says
My daughter loves this book! We have read it often together. She would love to have this prize.
Jennifer Rote says
I’d love to win this for my grandson. He loves when we read to him.
sherry butcher says
I want to win for my Great Granddaughter. I know she’d love this book and caterpillar animal. She’s be 2 this summer and now would be a great gift.
Jennifer T. says
This book was always a favorite of my daughter but we never managed to own it. Now, I’d love to have a copy to share with her younger brother.
jtmagmom73(at)gmail(dot)com
Laura says
I’m sure I read this book as a child, although I do not remember much more than the vibrant illustrations. I would love to win this for my nephew. I’d love to read it to him!
Natalie S says
My boys just love books! We especially love Eric Carle! Would love to win this for them – thanks for the chance!
Candice says
I just remember loving this book as a kid.
Jessamine D. says
I’d love to win this prize pack for my 2 and 5 year old daughters. 🙂
Jennifer T. says
I follow on bloglovin’ under magmom73.
jtmagmom73(at)gmail(dot)com
Leah B says
I remember our kindergarten teacher reading us this book and loving it!
Virginia Rowell says
I would really love to win this for my granddaughter Ivy. She would love it.
christine reyes says
I remember reading this book to my two older boys and I plan on reading it to my youngest (and last!) son as well. Its a classic. 🙂
Lalita Malone says
I would love to win for my little niece and nephew. They are at the perfect age for Eric Carle books.
Linda Kish says
I would love to win this for my great niece.
Amanda Hoffman says
i would love to win this for my son
Dawn Monroe says
Id like to win because I have fond . memories of sharing the book with my kids and would love to share it with my grandkids.
april yedinak says
My special memory is that this is one of the first books my daughter learned to read on her own.
courtney b says
we used to read this in school, very cute how it comes with the catepillar now- back then books never came with stuffed animals!
courtney b says
im following u on bloglovin courtney b
christine reyes says
Shared on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/annalyse.smith/posts/3974020364285?stream_ref=1
christine reyes says
Following on Bloglovin’ as Christinebobean.
christine reyes says
Shared on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/annalyse.smith/posts/3976085735918?stream_ref=1
Ann B. says
I want to win this for my grandson. He loves books where he can actually be hands on, and the catapillar does that. Plus he has a tote to carry them both around in…
Kimberly Schotz says
One of my daughters favorite books when she was little was The Grouchy Ladybug
Cassandra Eastman says
I’d love to win for my daughter, we read the Very Hungry Caterpillar all the time because she loves it so much!
christine reyes says
Shared via FB: https://www.facebook.com/annalyse.smith/posts/3980088075974?stream_ref=10
sara haaf says
I loved when they had that day where the goal was to have a certain ammount of people reading it all the same day and they sold it for a fairly good price. Because of that we have 3 copies, one from a friend, one from us, and one from his school!
laura ari says
My kids at preschool love Eric Carle books, but this one is a favorite!
laura ari says
My kids at preschool love Eric Carle books, but this one is a favorite!
christine reyes says
shared via FB: https://www.facebook.com/annalyse.smith/posts/3982115446657?stream_ref=10
Carmen says
I don’t think I’ve ever read the Hungry Caterpillar. But my daughter loves to be read to, and I would love to add this to her collection
Terry Maigi says
I remember my mom reading this to me when I was little! I would love to win and make new memories with my little girl!
christine reyes says
shared on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/annalyse.smith/posts/3985068400479?stream_ref=1
Robin Abrams says
I would love to win this prize for my grandkids they would love this
Andrea says
I love anything Eric Carle! I am a toddler teacher and just started a lending library for my classroom and this would be perfect for it!
Renee Smith says
I have read this story to all 6 of my daughters. Reading before bed has always been a tradition in our home and instilled the love of books and reading in my kids.
Michele Van Epps says
My daughter, who is now 25, loved this book and all of Eric Carle’s work. Every year of her life she has gotten an Eric Carle book for Christmas. She would love to have the special anniversary tote! I would give it to her for her 26th birthday. You are never too old to love the Very Hungry Caterpillar!
Jamie Brigham says
I’d love to win this for my son, this was my absolute favorite book to be read when I was in kindergarten.
Liz says
My little dude had “read” this book to me every night since he was two. His third birthday cake this fall was a cupcake caterpillar 🙂 we love Eric Carle.
Rachel Copeyon says
I loved sitting on the teacher rugs staring up in wonder as the teacher read the Very Hungary Caterpillar to us. I don’t remember the teacher, but I vividly can picture the classroom, the tiny rug squares, and the colorful wings of that special butterfly we all know! Thank you Eric Carle for giving that wonderful bright picture to us all.
Barb S says
Love The Very Hungry Caterpillar for a first day of Spring integrated unit in Kindergarten!!! Students love the book and the day full of activities.
gina says
I would love to win this for my two kids, who love that book.
gina says
Oh, and my kids are having a joint birthday party this year – and the theme is caterpillars/butterflies!
Katie Klein says
I remember reading the book as a child with my mom and now I share that same tradition with my children.
Rochel S says
One of my favorite books ever! would love to be able to share it with my kids!
Linda Meyers-Gabbard says
I would love to win this awesome giveaway for my niece Stella
Debra D. says
I have enjoyed over 10 years of reading books by Eric Carle to my students. I would love to be able to share this set with my grand daughter 🙂
Maralea says
I would love this for my grandson!
Maralea says
Follow on BlogLovin
Jayne D. says
I love this book! This was one of my girls favorite when they were little and
my class would love to have this book for when we do our Eric Carle theme.
Thanks
Lynne says
Remember this book being read to us in Primary School. Very memorable book. Would love to win this for my son!
Melissa Weatherford says
We loved reading this book every night when my son was younger. I have many great memories of him snuggled up and at the end of every page he would chime in, “still HUNGRY” 🙂
christine reyes says
Shared via Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/annalyse.smith/posts/3990243249847?stream_ref=10
anne says
This would be wonderful for my grandson.
anita says
This is a favorite book for my daughters and it is well loved! I would love to surprise her with a new book and a plush caterpillar!
anita says
I shared this giveaway on Google+: https://plus.google.com/102754324443868111024/posts/Gw7UXV4UXc9
Megan K. says
The Very Hungry Caterpillar is a very special book to me. From birth until the age of 17 I lived with a brain tumor that caused seizures among many other cognitive, physical, and emotional problems. After the tumor was successfully removed I felt as though I had become a butterfly. My whole life until that point I was a little caterpillar limited in everything I could do. My healing time after surgery was like a chrysalis for me as I was being prepared to emerge as the butterfly that I am today. I have been able to spread my wings and experience life in ways that were never possible while living with the brain tumor. I love to share this book with as many children as I can and I would be grateful to be the winner of this giveaway. I enjoyed the book as child and it will always be a favorite of mine. Congratulations on 40 years!
christine reyes says
Shared on FB: https://www.facebook.com/annalyse.smith/posts/3993315206644?stream_ref=1
Heidi says
I love that the green leaf felt so refreshing after all the junk food. It’s so true!
anita says
shared via Google+: https://plus.google.com/102754324443868111024/posts/ZiTxexJD8c8
christine reyes says
shared on FB: https://www.facebook.com/annalyse.smith/posts/3995867070439?stream_ref=1
ashley cossette says
my mom used to read it to me, and we had the stuffed animal to go with it. no idea where they disappeared to though!