eric carle s the very hungry caterpillar

The Very Hungry Caterpillar" written by Eric Carle.
Who here has children? Raise your hands! Very well then. Quite a few. Who here has read to their children? Ah. Ha. Still a pretty good number of you, yes? Well let me ask you one final question. Which one of you fine parents out there haven’t read to their child: The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle? One of you? Ay! Well shame on you Mum. How could you have deprived poor little Siempre Solo from this childhood wonder and this childhood joy? Huh? “Not born here” you say? “Never heard of him!” Ah well that is just to bad. No loss though Mum! You are quite forgiven. I my self however have made no such traumatic mistake with my own children. Because you see, The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle has been a family favorite with the Solo children since ever the eldest girl was a wee lass of 3. You should know that she no longer fills those shoes. She is now twenty. But her younger brother and my wife and mine middle child also had the privilege of enjoying this fine book called The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle. And yes for those of you that know even the twins that will be two shortly also have been blessed by the lovely story of The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle. “Well that’s fine and well.” I’m sure all of you are saying “But what is so important about this little children’s book?” you are asking. Well that is a good question. And here is a good answer. Today Friday March 20th, 2009 is not only the first day of Spring “Welcome flowers!” But it is also the fortieth anniversary of The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle. This little children’s book you see was written exactly 40 years ago in 1969 by the very prolific children’s book author and illustrator Eric Carle. Many of you might not know but he has written and illustrated over 51 children’s books. His books have been published in many different languages as well. The Very Hungry caterpillar having the honor of being published in 46 different languages with over 36 different foreign publishers. Eric Carle was born in what was until recently my beloved adopted home town of Syracuse, New York. He was born in 1929 and lived there till he was six years old and moved with his parents to Germany where he went to school and eventually graduated from the prestigious art school, the Akademie der bildenden Künste, in Stuttgart. But his dream was always to return to America, the land of his happiest childhood memories. So, in 1952, with a fine portfolio in hand and forty dollars in his pocket, he arrived in New York. Soon he found a job as a graphic designer in the promotion department of The New York Times. Later, he was the art director of an advertising agency for many years. One day, respected educator and author, Bill Martin Jr, called to ask Carle to illustrate a story he had written. Martin’s eye had been caught by a striking picture of a red lobster that Carle had created for an advertisement. Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? was the result of their collaboration. It is still a favorite with children everywhere. This was the beginning of Eric Carle’s true career. Soon Carle was writing his own stories, too. His first wholly original book was 1,2,3 to the Zoo, followed soon afterward by the celebrated classic, The Very Hungry Caterpillar. I implore you today to take some time out to watch the YouTube Video adaptation of Eric Carle’s lovely childhood classic and if you can get your hands on a copy pick it up and read it to a little one close by. Preferably your own if you have any. Make sure you check out the external link on the left for more fascinating facts and information.If I am not mistaken A 40th Anniversary Pop-Up edition is being released. So have fun with it as you welcome spring! And as always…