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The Crunching Munching Caterpillar
Hungry Caterpillar crunches and munches his way through the blackberry bush; all the while his friends Bumblebee, Sparrow and Butterfly are flying high in the sky soaring and swooping. Caterpillar wishes for nothing more than to fly! Butterfly has a secret and encourages Caterpillar to take a nap. After his long, deep sleep through the winter and his dreams of soaring in the blue sky above the trees and drifting toward the sunCaterpillar awakens to find that his dreams have come true! Caterpillar has even left a die-cut BITE at the top right corner of this paperback title.
Paperback
First published January 1, 2000
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
January 17, 2012
The Crunching Munching Caterpillar is a story about a caterpillar who wishes it could fly. He is very envious of the other creatures that have wings and fly, such as the bee and the birds. The other creatures dismiss the caterpillar's idea of being able to fly which leaves him very glum. However the butterfly is more encouraging saying that perhaps one day he could fly. The caterpillar slept all through the winter, dreaming off being able to fly and when he awoke he had wings.
I would say that this book is great to use within the early years and KS1 setting, There are big clear illustrations that would help to keep the children interested in the story. The pictures are very colourful and bright, with clear large fonted text. The story stages through the life cycle of a butterfly, which could help in cross cirricular activities within science for example.The caterpillar is constantly told by others that he will never fly, but in the end can. There could be a sense that anything can be achieved, not to write things off as unachievable if they are.
I would say that this book is great to use within the early years and KS1 setting, There are big clear illustrations that would help to keep the children interested in the story. The pictures are very colourful and bright, with clear large fonted text. The story stages through the life cycle of a butterfly, which could help in cross cirricular activities within science for example.The caterpillar is constantly told by others that he will never fly, but in the end can. There could be a sense that anything can be achieved, not to write things off as unachievable if they are.
December 2, 2017
A story about a caterpillar who dreams of being able to fly.
January 22, 2019
How adorable! This book is similar to The Very Hungry Caterpillar however, the "generic" brand. It has more words and pictures but not quite as much high definition detail.
September 18, 2013
Caterpillar munches and crunches while admiring the wings of birds and bugs that go by, but all he has are legs for walking. But then he takes a long nap and wakes up with beautiful butterfly wings.
Ok, I know that the metamorphosis process is enthralling, but really I think the picture book world is a little too saturated with this topic. I might find this book cute if I hadn't read pretty much the same exact plot line several times before. Kids probably won't care if it is the same story with different pictures, but I'm all for skipping this and just sticking to The Very Hungry Caterpillar.
Ok, I know that the metamorphosis process is enthralling, but really I think the picture book world is a little too saturated with this topic. I might find this book cute if I hadn't read pretty much the same exact plot line several times before. Kids probably won't care if it is the same story with different pictures, but I'm all for skipping this and just sticking to The Very Hungry Caterpillar.
October 6, 2013
This book is great way to explain the life cycle of caterpillars and can follow up to a trip to the wild life garden, identifying habitats and looking closely at the insects for their personal characteristics. Also the book uses imaginative pictures so this could also help in art to redraw the images but with their choice of dreams and animals. Also the use of onomatopoeias are used which could encourage children to act out and read along (drama). I would recommend this book to year 2 as a read along, so a large copy or a visualizer would be needed during this activity.u
February 22, 2017
The story and illustrations are cute, but it bothered me a little bit that they didn't show the caterpillar making his cocoon; he just curls up in a leaf like it's a blanket. Also, they definitely aren't in the cocoon all winter; it only takes a few weeks. I know some may say it's "just a picture book," but this kind of information would be really easy to find and work into the story to make it scientifically accurate, and anytime we can avoid misleading kids, we should take it.
February 9, 2026
A wonderfully illustrated book about a caterpillar who wishes he could fly. He is envious of his friends who can fly, and he eats his way until one day, he grows into a butterfly.
This would be a very cute introduction to butterflies for kids. You could even perhaps make a trip out o f this, and take your little one to a butterfly house.
Why not ask your little one what their favourite thing about this book?
This would be a very cute introduction to butterflies for kids. You could even perhaps make a trip out o f this, and take your little one to a butterfly house.
Why not ask your little one what their favourite thing about this book?
August 31, 2026
Grandie played this book’s CD for Jack over FaceTime and flipped through the book for him. The audio was overproduced with way too many sound effects and wacky music. Jack liked it but grew impatient. I feel like the title is trying to rip off The Very Hungry Caterpillar but the story is different and way more about the caterpillar wanting to fly and not what he eats. Regardless, it is a cute story with a nice message and Jack enjoyed it.
September 28, 2017
Simpatican naslov, prelepe ilustracije i prica sa lepom poukom.
Ali... format knjige je preveliki i nezgodno je drzati je u krilu i okretati stranice ukoliko se prica nocu pred spavanje u krevetu. Takodje prica ima malo repetativnih, dosadnih delova koji Nikoli nisu drzali paznju.
Ali... format knjige je preveliki i nezgodno je drzati je u krilu i okretati stranice ukoliko se prica nocu pred spavanje u krevetu. Takodje prica ima malo repetativnih, dosadnih delova koji Nikoli nisu drzali paznju.
July 1, 2018
My daughter loves this book. I've read it over and over. I like that it teaches children that just because you may be different doesn't mean you can't do what someone else does. The pictures in this book are also very pretty.
July 31, 2026
My favorite character is the Crunching Munching Caterpillar. Do you know why do I like it? I like it because it became a butterfly in 2-3 days. A butterfly fairy came and said by tomorrow you will be a butterfly. The caterpillar had a very good dream.
May 1, 2018
Good for toddlers and pre-K.
March 1, 2019
Very simple, warm, and easy to understand. My 3 yo daughter loves the story, which tells about the patience of a caterpillar
February 6, 2023
That book is great if you want learn new language! I learn norwegian ;D
March 14, 2023
Love the illustration for Caterpillar dreaming he had wings.
August 3, 2023
A hungry caterpillar wishes he could fly, then falls into a long slumber and awakes with a surprise. This is a typical caterpillar story for beginning readers.
April 23, 2024
Holt-Delhi library Preschool storytime 04-23-2024
January 14, 2025
Read this during circle time and then read it again after nap. And both times not a fan my students love the butterflies and that was it.
September 23, 2018
This is a great book. The kids love it, it is a happy story and has great illustrations. My 2nd grader likes reading it to his little brother.
March 12, 2026
Una encantadora historia y con trasfondo de mensaje. Me encantó la metáfora. Un encantó el detalle de las páginas mordidas.
August 31, 2025
The caterpillar ate way too much
March 10, 2020
Super cute.
Kind of sad.
Wants to fly but can’t.
No one believes in him.
The butterfly does.
Shows to believe in yourself. Even if others don’t.
Kind of sad.
Wants to fly but can’t.
No one believes in him.
The butterfly does.
Shows to believe in yourself. Even if others don’t.
October 5, 2012
I thought this book was cute. It had a cute story to it, and I liked the bright illustrations. Also I liked how it rhymed. I would recommend this book to kindegarteners or 1st graders.
A Kid's Review
Format:PaperbackWhat book tells you the life of a caterpillar? The Crunching Munching Caterpillar does. Sheridan Cain, the author, did a very great job writing this book. And Jack Tickle, the illustrator, did an awesome job making those pictures. It looks like Jack painted those beautiful pictures. It's a great book. This book is for 3rd graders. But, I think it should be for lower grades too. You can even read it to a younger sibling. Also, even if you can't read, the pictures tell the story all by itself. It can even be a cartoon! Some of the characters in the story are Sparrow, Bumblebee, and Butterfly. As you know they all have wings. But, Caterpillar doesn't. Sparrow and Bumblebee tell him that he can't fly because he's too big. But then one day something happens to him after his long winter sleep. The setting is in a blackberry bush. It's supplied with many delicious leaves. Caterpillar crunches and munches his way through the bush. That's why it's called The Crunching Munching Caterpillar. There are also many blackberries in the bush too. I recommend this book for young children. I even liked it too, and I'm in 4th grade! It has wonderful illustrations. It's easy to read so younger kids can read it also. You don't even have to read it you can just look at the pictures instead. It's one of the best books ever for younger children.
A Kid's Review
Format:PaperbackWhat book tells you the life of a caterpillar? The Crunching Munching Caterpillar does. Sheridan Cain, the author, did a very great job writing this book. And Jack Tickle, the illustrator, did an awesome job making those pictures. It looks like Jack painted those beautiful pictures. It's a great book. This book is for 3rd graders. But, I think it should be for lower grades too. You can even read it to a younger sibling. Also, even if you can't read, the pictures tell the story all by itself. It can even be a cartoon! Some of the characters in the story are Sparrow, Bumblebee, and Butterfly. As you know they all have wings. But, Caterpillar doesn't. Sparrow and Bumblebee tell him that he can't fly because he's too big. But then one day something happens to him after his long winter sleep. The setting is in a blackberry bush. It's supplied with many delicious leaves. Caterpillar crunches and munches his way through the bush. That's why it's called The Crunching Munching Caterpillar. There are also many blackberries in the bush too. I recommend this book for young children. I even liked it too, and I'm in 4th grade! It has wonderful illustrations. It's easy to read so younger kids can read it also. You don't even have to read it you can just look at the pictures instead. It's one of the best books ever for younger children.
September 6, 2012
"The Crunching Munching Caterpillar" is about a Caterpillar who is always hungry,eating, and wishing that he can fly. As he is eating one day he encounters a bee and then a bird who can both fly while the caterpillar cannot. He expresses his desire to fly but the bee and bird shut him down and tell him he will never be able to. Just as he is about to go to sleep, he encounters a butterfly who he divulges his wish to. The butterfly gives him some words of encouragement and implies that one day he may fly. Much to Caterpillar's surprise, when he awakes from his deep sleep, he is able to fly because he transforms into a butterfly. This book has very big, somewhat colorful pictures and a lot of dialogue. However, I didn't find it to be very interesting and it didn't even seem to teach any type of moral. I would choose a more intriguing book to read to a primary class.
October 17, 2012
The Crunchy munching caterpillar has a couple of different lessons that could be gathered from the story. Children could learn that even when others say you can’t, believe in yourself and hold tight to your dreams and one day they might just come true. The lesson of flying animals and the life cycle of a caterpillar turned butterfly could be taught using this book as a literacy piece.
Learning Experience:
I would find or buy a caterpillar and read the book several times within the 2-3 week process in which the class would watch the caterpillar become a butterfly. At which time we would take it outside and release it.
Learning Experience:
I would find or buy a caterpillar and read the book several times within the 2-3 week process in which the class would watch the caterpillar become a butterfly. At which time we would take it outside and release it.
October 25, 2014
This is a very simple story of a caterpillar crunching his way through a tree, and feeling jealous of all the animals and birds he sees flying around him - he wants to fly too!
Although the story is simple, the illustrations are bright and interesting. I read this book outloud to a Year 1 class on the carpet, and they remained quiet throughout. At the end I asked them, if they could go to sleep wrapped in a leaf, and wake up as a different animal, what would they pick? The story had obviously inspired them as they had some great ideas.
I also think we could have linked this story to Science, where we have been doing the lifecycle of an apple tree (seed - seedling - tree - fruit)
Although the story is simple, the illustrations are bright and interesting. I read this book outloud to a Year 1 class on the carpet, and they remained quiet throughout. At the end I asked them, if they could go to sleep wrapped in a leaf, and wake up as a different animal, what would they pick? The story had obviously inspired them as they had some great ideas.
I also think we could have linked this story to Science, where we have been doing the lifecycle of an apple tree (seed - seedling - tree - fruit)
December 20, 2015
This story is part of a double sided book I bought for my three month old son; the first being The Crunching Munching Caterpillar.
The book is large enough to be held by both parent and child; and colourful enough to keep young children and toddlers interested. It's a relatively long story for the age group intended (the cover states suitable for 2 years plus) which makes it ideal for bedtime story time.
The caterpillar interacts with all sorts of wonderful creatures, and the illustrations are particularly charming.
I would like to read more books by these authors to my son.
The book is large enough to be held by both parent and child; and colourful enough to keep young children and toddlers interested. It's a relatively long story for the age group intended (the cover states suitable for 2 years plus) which makes it ideal for bedtime story time.
The caterpillar interacts with all sorts of wonderful creatures, and the illustrations are particularly charming.
I would like to read more books by these authors to my son.
June 7, 2018
So this is not the version we read. We had a soft cover book with thick, un-tearable pages. This book was cute though as it follows a caterpillar who just wishes he could fly. My daughter enjoyed this book because she just did a unit with my mom on caterpillars and butterflies a month or two ago. So she was able to predict what was going to happen before we got there. (Yay!)
It was also very bright colored and stood up to my 7 month old's grabby nature.
Overall a cute book to introduce metamorphosis to kids.
It was also very bright colored and stood up to my 7 month old's grabby nature.
Overall a cute book to introduce metamorphosis to kids.
class-library
October 22, 2012Grade: K-1 (Pre-k also)
Topic: life cycle of a caterpillar/butterfly, living organisms
Very simplified story about a caterpillar's journey to becoming a butterfly. This would be great to read in Pre-k and Kindergarten. It would be a great introduction to learning about the life cycle of a caterpillar/butterfly. Students can see what happens in the pictures and later be introduced to the new vocabulary that is left out of the story.
Topic: life cycle of a caterpillar/butterfly, living organisms
Very simplified story about a caterpillar's journey to becoming a butterfly. This would be great to read in Pre-k and Kindergarten. It would be a great introduction to learning about the life cycle of a caterpillar/butterfly. Students can see what happens in the pictures and later be introduced to the new vocabulary that is left out of the story.
February 24, 2016
"The Crunching Munching Caterpillar" was a great book, as it teachers children about the life of caterpillars and how they eventually turn into butterflies. The illustrations also had bright colors which I liked, and of course, the caterpillar was cute, which is always a nice addition. Besides the lack of introducing and adding more possible characters, I thought the book had a good concept behind it, and can keep children entertained.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews