The Very Hungry Caterpillar 40th Anniversary
Thanks to a post on Bambino Goodies I discovered that this year marks the 40th anniversary of the publication of the Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle. This is probably the best-ever-seller among children’s books, with over 29 million copies sold.
The funny thing is that the worldwide success of this book is clearly not due to Italians — who, to this day, mostly live unaware of this precious book. I owned it when I was a child, and then it went missing somehow. When I bought it for my son in a bookshop in London, I was extremely happy not only because it brought back nice memories that I could now share with my children, but also because (I thought) I had found something truly special – surely very few people knew this book. When I told the other girls about my find, they thought I was joking… they all own a copy of the book; some of them even own an entire Eric Carle collection!
To this day The Very Hungry Caterpillar is very difficult to find in Italy (and in Italian). The same cannot be said for the English speaking world, which can now celebrate the anniversary in style with a special edition pop-up book and a dvd (also available, of course, in the US).
-Michela
8 COMMENTS - Add your own
Yes I agree with you, this book is fantastic. My mother in law gave it to my little boy when he was only 2 and it has been one of our favourites ever since. I was in Borders in London last week and they had a whole stand full of different editions and sizes to mark the anniversary.
Hi Michaela
I also thought I had found something truly special for my niece when I bought this book in Dublin. I am from Spain and I think in Spain is the same than in Italy.
I love your blog,
Ana
Now I’m curious! Next time we are in London we’ll buy it!
Definitely a classic. We own almost all of the Eric Carle books. I soooo remember ‘Brown Bear, Brown Bear’ and ‘The Very Hungry Caterpillar” from my childhood.
I can’t believe it’s relatively unknown in Italy…
ist is very popular in Germany too! Everybody seems to have it here! We own serveral Eric Carle books and my son loves them all.
My sons bedroom is done entirely of The Very Hungry Caterpillar. Now he’s getting older though and wants a “space robots” themed bedroom. I’m sort of sad to let TVHC go, but my little boy is growing up. :/
am wanting to do the same with my daughters room .i dont suppose you have photos of the walls as i think i need some inspiration .
many thanks Jane.
These is definitely a classic. I don’t think kids ever get bored of it!