A few weeks ago, I found "The Very Hungry Caterpillar," German version, at a flohmarkt (flea market) put on by the children in our little town. My own kids probably knew this book by heart when they were little, because I read it to them countless evenings before bedtime. The author and illustrator, Eric Carle, works in collage, layers, and cut-outs, giving most of his books an interactive aspect. Our own copy was almost shredded at the end, but very well-loved!Someday I'd like to visit the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art in Amherst, Massachusetts.
P.S. Maybe one of the reasons I like this book so well--when I was a little kid in Africa, we had an abundance of hairy, colorful caterpillars inside and outside. I had great fun watching them, especially their bumpy accordian style of moving from place to place. Better than video games!
4 comments:
Ooo. "Die kleine raupe nimmersatt" sounds ever so much more sophisticated than "The Very Hungry Caterpillar!" More lilting etc.
Did you play with little chameleons in Africa too?
I love this book! It's such a classic! In Holland he's called "Rupsje Nooitgenoeg" and it's just as charming as it always was!
It doesn't seem that long ago that S and B's fingers actually fit in the holes of the board book!
Our other favorite of Carle's was "The Very Busy Spider". Do you remember that one?
Yes, I do indeed have a miniature version of "The Very Busy Spider." By the way, did you know that Eric Carle lived in Stuttgart for many of his early years, Betsy? And I still need to visit the art museums down there, an artist friend of ours recommended them.
Ginger, we had an endless supply of chameleons in our long window planter. I liked their swivel eyes and color changes. But most of all, the sticky tongue they shot out to catch insects!
I remember those caterpillars!
Peace,
Milton
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