Charlie the Caterpillar

by Dom Deluise, Dom De Luise, Christopher Santoro

Book Overview

When Charlie the caterpillar is born, everything looks bright and beautiful, and Charlie feels happy to be alive. He decides to set out and see the world.
As Charlie wanders, he meets one group of animals after another, playing together and having fun. At each encounter, Charlie innocently asks if he might join in, and each time he gets the same reply: "No! Now giddadda here!" when Charlie asks why, he's told he's just an ugly caterpillar -- and...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0671693581
• ISBN13: 9780671693589
• Release Date: August 1990
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
• Length: 40 Pages
• Weight: 0.25 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 10.4" x 8.3"
• Age Range: 3 to 6 years
• Grade Range: Preschool to Grade 1

Customer Reviews

Loved it, and my 3 year old did, too!!

I checked this book out at our local library, but it will definitely be one we purchase to add to our collection. Yes, there is slang on a lot of pages, and there may be some errors as a reviewer mentioned between cocoons and a chrysalis. However, the book grabbed my son's attention, and he can tell me the important theme of the book. He is only 3, but he knows that it's important to choose your friends by who they are and not what they look like. I'm ok with a few "technical errors" if he will remember this lesson in life. An added bonus - he's loving his book time, and that is priceless.

An old, but very important, message

One of the academic publications called the message in this book "trite." That may be true if you are an educated adult, but this is a children's book.How many of us can remember being ridiculed as children because we weren't the tallest, or the strongest, or the prettiest kid in class, or because Mom and Dad couldn't afford the latest designer sneakers, errr, athletic footwear, for us? This may be an old message, but it is obvious that it is a message kids still need to hear, more than just once. Frankly, I've known plenty of adults who still haven't learned this simple lesson."Charlie the Caterpillar" is a wonderful and warm story about the difference between shallow sycophants and true friends. The illustrations are definitely the highlight of the book; Charlie and Katie are downright huggable. Far from being cartoonish, the caterpillars have a real depth to them.My only regret after reading this book is that no toymaker has seized the opportunity to license the caterpillar design for a plush cuddle toy. Small children would love it.

Beautiful on the Inside

"Charlie the Caterpillar" is a wonderful learning story for childern. Charlie, through encounters with other animals is made to feel inferior, and ugly because he is a caterpillar. After transforming into a beautiful butterfly and meeting another caterpillar he discovers that true friends don't judge you by your appearance.The illustrations are bright and cheerful.

A Preschool Teacher's Thought on Charlie the Caterpillar!

One of the joys of teaching preschool is storytime. This book happens to be not only my favorite book but the children's also. Charlie is such an easy character to relate to. It teaches the children what true friendship is all about. Not only do the children learn about friendship, they also learn about how caterpillars become butterflies. The parents enjoy the story also. They especially like the author and are delightfully surprised when I reveal who it is. I would recommend this book to parents and teachers. It would also make an excellent gift!

A first rate book with a great message

Charlie the Caterpillar is FABULOUS!! With darling illustrations, good story and a happy ending...you can't get better than this!