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The Tiny Caterpillar and the Great Big Tree
In this delightful children’s tale we are taken on an adventure as the tiny caterpillar explores the forest around him in search of new friends. But, finding he is so very different from the other creatures in the forest, he sadly returns to his old friend, the great big tree. After a miraculous transformation, he seeks approval from the other creatures, only to discover it matters not how different they are on the outside, but rather, it’s what’s on the inside that counts. This charming and enchanting story relays a powerful message of friendship, forgiveness, and how the physical differences between us do not make us who we are as an individual.
40 pages, ebook
First published September 1, 2009
About the author
Kelly Moran
55 books1,327 followersKelly Moran is an international bestselling author of enchanting ever-afters. She gets her ideas from everyone and everything around her and there's always a book playing out in her head. No one who knows her bats an eyelash when she talks to herself.
She is a RITA® Finalist, RONE Award-Winner, Catherine Award-Winner, Reader's Choice Finalist, Holt Medallion Finalist, Book Excellence Award Finalist, Amor Book Award-Winner, and landed on the "Must Read" & "10 Best Reads" lists in USA Today's Lifestyle section. She is a former Romance Writers of America® member, where she was an Award of Excellence Finalist. Her books have foreign translation rights in Germany (where she is a Spiegel Bestseller), France, the Czech Republic, Romania, Russia, and the Netherlands. She also writes horror as Kelly Covic. In 2024, she founded her own publishing company for fiction called Rowan Prose Publishing.
Her interests include: scary movies, all kinds of art, driving others insane, and sleeping when she can. She is a closet coffee junkie and chocoholic. Tell no one. She's originally from Wisconsin, but she resides in South Carolina with her three sons, their wily dog, a bearded dragon, and their sassy cats. She loves hearing from her readers.
Visit her website for up-to-date book news and where to follow.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
July 18, 2013
The Tiny Caterpillar and the Great Big Tree is a children’s book written by author Kelly Moran that is sure to impress parents and children of all ages.
With its colourful illustrations done by Lynn Lorbeske, The Tiny Caterpillar learns about acceptance, forgiveness and adventure while realizing that change and differences are nothing to cower from. Moran has readers follow the tale of the relationship between a tiny caterpillar and the great big world around him through persistence and devotion to friendships already made.
Falling in love with Moran’s collection of short stories and poems in An Insomniac’s Dream: A Collection of Poems and Short StoriesI knew I had to get her children’s book for my newest addition. When she offered me a copy for review I couldn’t pass up the amazing offer and will soon be buying my own copy of this fantastic story.
Thanks for reading,
Sarah Butland
author of Sending You Sammy, Brain Tales – Volume One and Arm Farm
With its colourful illustrations done by Lynn Lorbeske, The Tiny Caterpillar learns about acceptance, forgiveness and adventure while realizing that change and differences are nothing to cower from. Moran has readers follow the tale of the relationship between a tiny caterpillar and the great big world around him through persistence and devotion to friendships already made.
Falling in love with Moran’s collection of short stories and poems in An Insomniac’s Dream: A Collection of Poems and Short StoriesI knew I had to get her children’s book for my newest addition. When she offered me a copy for review I couldn’t pass up the amazing offer and will soon be buying my own copy of this fantastic story.
Thanks for reading,
Sarah Butland
author of Sending You Sammy, Brain Tales – Volume One and Arm Farm
November 17, 2009
I read this book with my daughter she thought it was a very good book to read and the pictures would tell the story by them selfs, a nice childrens book.
June 2, 2014
My grandchildren are 3 and 1 and a half. They loved this story so much had to do it again. I'm sure we will be again after lunch. This is a good story on friendship. By looking at our appearance we can't tell what we can be or do. We all are not the same. But we all are unique in our own way. Which is the lesson taught here.
The story was well written and well illustrated. Thanks so much for the great story Kelly.
I was given this book for my own honest review.
The story was well written and well illustrated. Thanks so much for the great story Kelly.
I was given this book for my own honest review.
September 25, 2009
The Tiny Caterpillar is a wonderfully illustrated and written book. The tiny caterpillar lives in a big tree; the tree is also his friend. One day the caterpillar leaves his to explore the world around him. He is saddened when the insects he meets won’t be his friend. The tiny caterpillar goes back to his friend the tree, and finds comfort. Each insect has its own reason for at first dismissing the tiny caterpillar, but when the caterpillar wrapped itself in a cocoon and emerged a butterfly, he wins over the friendship of the insects.
The Tiny Caterpillar provides an important message about the differences between us all. I read The Tiny Caterpillar to my 3-year-old grandson and he enjoyed it. He listened attentively and was concerned about the tiny caterpillar. He also enjoyed the illustrations. This is the reaction an author wants from a young child.
As I mentioned, it is a wonderful young children’s book, but I did find one drawback to it. The message it is sending may be construed differently than what the author intended. When the caterpillar ventured out in search of new things and friends, the insects he met all found fault with him because he didn’t meet their criteria for a friend. The first insect he came to, a ladybug, told him they couldn’t be friends because he didn’t have spots and couldn’t fly. Next, he met the spider. The spider told him he lacked the ability to spin a web. Then, came the ant. The ant felt the caterpillar wasn’t strong enough. The only way the caterpillar was able to meet their criteria for friendship was to become a butterfly. This changed the caterpillar’s appearance and physical attributes, thus the drawback.
Although the book is engaging and charming, showing children that the only way for the caterpillar to gain the friendship of the insects was to become something else, something stronger and more attractive, may not be the message we want to convey to children. It is important for children to know that they will be accepted and liked for who they are; they don’t have to become psychically different to be liked and accepted. Although, the caterpillar was surprised by his metamorphosis (he didn’t intentionally change), it still shows a need for change to be accepted. But, you should read it for yourself to determine if I am off base. Aside from this one drawback, it is a delightful book.
About the author: Kelly Moran is an author of several published books in romance, literature, and children’s genres, a recipient of an Editor’s Choice Award for Outstanding Achievement, inducted into the Who’s Who Book of Americans, a Finalist in the 2009 Indie Excellence Book Awards, and a Finalist in the 2008 Best Books Awards. She resides in Milwaukee, WI with her husband, twin sons, and black lab.
About the illustrator: Lynn Lorbeske is a native of Milwaukee, WI. She obtained a Graphic Design degree from UWM and works as a full time veterinarian’s assistant.
The Tiny Caterpillar provides an important message about the differences between us all. I read The Tiny Caterpillar to my 3-year-old grandson and he enjoyed it. He listened attentively and was concerned about the tiny caterpillar. He also enjoyed the illustrations. This is the reaction an author wants from a young child.
As I mentioned, it is a wonderful young children’s book, but I did find one drawback to it. The message it is sending may be construed differently than what the author intended. When the caterpillar ventured out in search of new things and friends, the insects he met all found fault with him because he didn’t meet their criteria for a friend. The first insect he came to, a ladybug, told him they couldn’t be friends because he didn’t have spots and couldn’t fly. Next, he met the spider. The spider told him he lacked the ability to spin a web. Then, came the ant. The ant felt the caterpillar wasn’t strong enough. The only way the caterpillar was able to meet their criteria for friendship was to become a butterfly. This changed the caterpillar’s appearance and physical attributes, thus the drawback.
Although the book is engaging and charming, showing children that the only way for the caterpillar to gain the friendship of the insects was to become something else, something stronger and more attractive, may not be the message we want to convey to children. It is important for children to know that they will be accepted and liked for who they are; they don’t have to become psychically different to be liked and accepted. Although, the caterpillar was surprised by his metamorphosis (he didn’t intentionally change), it still shows a need for change to be accepted. But, you should read it for yourself to determine if I am off base. Aside from this one drawback, it is a delightful book.
About the author: Kelly Moran is an author of several published books in romance, literature, and children’s genres, a recipient of an Editor’s Choice Award for Outstanding Achievement, inducted into the Who’s Who Book of Americans, a Finalist in the 2009 Indie Excellence Book Awards, and a Finalist in the 2008 Best Books Awards. She resides in Milwaukee, WI with her husband, twin sons, and black lab.
About the illustrator: Lynn Lorbeske is a native of Milwaukee, WI. She obtained a Graphic Design degree from UWM and works as a full time veterinarian’s assistant.
June 10, 2014
A cute children's book that all children would enjoy! A cute story to teach that we can be different and still be the same; and, that we can be different and still be friends.
A tiny caterpillar explores the forest to find new friends. Every potential friend he approaches say they are different and cannot be friends. He goes back to his steady friend, The Great Big Tree, and settles down for a change. When he wakes, he has become a butterfly and flies to all of those that said they couldn't be his friend.
This story teaches that it is okay to be different and that all beauty is not on the outside only. Sometimes you have to look deeper to see the beauty and not judge so harshly.
A great read to teach that being different is what makes each of us special!
A tiny caterpillar explores the forest to find new friends. Every potential friend he approaches say they are different and cannot be friends. He goes back to his steady friend, The Great Big Tree, and settles down for a change. When he wakes, he has become a butterfly and flies to all of those that said they couldn't be his friend.
This story teaches that it is okay to be different and that all beauty is not on the outside only. Sometimes you have to look deeper to see the beauty and not judge so harshly.
A great read to teach that being different is what makes each of us special!
Want to Read
March 12, 2010about THE author edit data
Kelly Moran is a multi-published author, recipient of an Editor's Choice Award for Outstanding Achievement, inducted into the Who's Who Book of Americans, respected reviewer for BookPleasures, was a Finalist in the 2008 Best Books Awards, a Finalist in the 2009 Indie Excellence Book Awards, a former staff writer for a poetry magazine, a RWA member, and an avid reader.
June 3, 2014
Read this yesterday with my granddaughter! She had to read it twice! It was a fun book to share with her!
January 1, 2016
This is a wonderful story. Great for any classroom.
5 stars
5 stars
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews