Storytime with Asha – Eric Carle

Last week at Storytime, I enjoyed reading our beloved children’s book author and illustrator Eric Carle’s books to the kids. It was a fun and interactive session with both kids and adults guessing animal names, colours and time. His bright colourful illustrations, simple words and highlighting the beauty in all small things makes all of his works exceptional and entertaining.

June 25th was Eric Carle’s Birthday. He was the creator of more than seventy picture books for young readers. Eric Carle passed away on 23 May 2021 at the age of 91.

Did you know? The Very Hungry Caterpillar was translated into over fifty languages and sold more than 33 million copies worldwide.

In this post, we are going to show you a few books by Eric Carle together with some rhymes and a craft that you can share with your tots.

Books

The very hungry caterpillar by Eric Carle

Follows the progress of a hungry little caterpillar as he eats his way through a varied and very large quantity of food until, full at last, he forms a cocoon around himself and goes to sleep and wakes up a butterfly.

There’re fruits, vegetables, colours, numbers, sweets, savouries and one hungry caterpillar.  At story time, the kids had fun counting and guessing the pictures in the book. We talked about food and colours. The end page was a surprise to all new readers.

The very hungry caterpillar’s Australian friends by Carle, Eric

This lift-the-flap book encourages children to peek under the flaps to find some of the many and varied animals of Australia including kangaroos, pelicans and crocodiles and sees the Very Hungry Caterpillar appearing in the rainforest on the final spread.

Lift-the -flap books are always a favourite at storytime. The kids love to guess what’s hiding behind the flaps. This book carried so many clues in each page which made it easy for the kids to name the animals. Some of the creatures were new to the children such as the Platypus. It’s a beautiful book to introduce Aussie animals and habitats.

From head to toe by Eric Carle

Can you wave your arms like a monkey? Clap your hands like a seal? Arch your back like a cat? Yes, you can! Move yourself from head to toe like all the animals in this book.

This book is full of action and excitement.  All kids changed from quietly sitting to moving around with energy eagerly waiting to hear the next challenge.  There was bending, wriggling, stretching, and giggling. This book influences kids to exercise and learn about body parts and movements.

Rhymes

Craft – Count with the Hungry Caterpillar

Instructions:

• Cut the circles on sheet.
• Number the circles from 1 -10
• Glue or staple the circles to create a caterpillar’s body.
• Decorate the rest of the caterpillar (maybe draw a face on it).
• Practice counting.