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.

My Memories of The Very Hungry Caterpillar....

When I first started teaching, I created several lessons around Eric Carle's The Very Hungry Caterpillar. I re-created the caterpillar and all of the food that the caterpillar consumes so that children could retell the story using the various pieces. We also talked about the lifecycle of the butterfly and watched as classroom silkworms formed cocoons and then eventually were transformed into moths. I can honestly say that I have probably read The Very Hungry Caterpillar every year (and multiple times in a year) over the past 20+ years of my teaching career. It does not matter how many times that I have read it to a group of students or to individual children this book never looses its magic. I, also, have never tired of watching new teachers discover the work of Eric Carle and to also create their own lessons using The Very Hungry Caterpillar.

In 2010, I had the chance to visit the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art in Amherst, Massachusetts. Don't you just love this great car (see photo above) that is right outside of the entrance? In addition to the art galleries inside which contain some of Eric Carle's original artwork, as well as, the art of other well known picture book artists, there is a beautiful library/storyroom, and a very awesome art room that allows both children and adults to create their own collage art.

Eric Carle and his books, including The Very Hungry Caterpillar will always be among some of my favorite books for young children.

Celebrate Very Hungry Caterpillar day by sharing this wonderful tale with a friend!

One (1) winner receives:

· Two limited edition anniversary totes

· Two copies of The Very Hungry Caterpillar board book (1 to keep, 1 to share)!

Prizing courtesy of Penguin

Giveaway open to US mailing addresses only

Visit the official Penguin site for lots of fun stuff and follow what's happening with the #veryhungrycaterpillar on twitter.

Complete the Rafflecopter below in order to enter for a chance to win the prize pack.

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Yesterday, I had a chance to spend the day in Amherst, Massachusetts. It was the first time in many years that I got to visit the place I spent four years of my life. Even after an extended absence, as I was driving into Amherst I had the same feeling as my first time - I love this place. Sometimes, I even wonder why I left. Well, I won't dwell a lot on those decisions, but let me tell you about my visit.

My sister and I first stopped in Amherst at my favorite bakery/deli/cafe. If you ever get to Amherst, you must stop by for a chocolate croissant or a sandwich and a Chai latte. My personal favorites. Though my sister claims the cheese danish is to die for. I am pretty sure that you can't go wrong with anything that you order.

When my sister first proposed a trip up to Amherst, she wasn't thinking about the literary richness of the area. She wanted to go to a Butterfly Conservation Garden and thought it would be a "nice day trip". How long can you look at butterflies anyway?! Right?! In my mind, there would be plenty of time to see some pretty butterflies and then drag her around to museums. :-)

After looking at many beautiful butterflies, I suggested to my sister that we stop at the Emily Dickinson House. We made it just in time for a tour which turned out to be just my sister and me led by a really cute South African graduate student doing a summer internship at the museum. I can't believe that I lived about 2 miles from the museum for four years but that this was the first time I actually visited the house. I wish we could take pictures of the inside of the buildings. The information was wonderful and I grew in my appreciation of Emily Dickinson and her poetry.

After visiting the 19th century, my sister and I jumped into the 21st century with a visit to Hampshire College's Eric Carle Museum. The museum has three exhibit areas that were currently displaying a permanent collection of art and information on Eric Carle. The middle gallery had some lovely artwork on display from illustrator Leo Lionni (Swimmy, Little Blue & Little Yellow). The third gallery was displaying Lisbeth Zwerger's artwork. Zwerger was actually at the museum signing copies of her books.

The museum also contains a beautiful art room that welcomes visitors, young and old, to develop their own tissue paper creations.

So what have you been up to this summer?

Any fun literary trips?

Love to hear what you have all been doing....

-Aly

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