Gotta Have It: A Classic Children's Book

The Very Hungry Caterpillar gets the pop-up treatment to celebrate 40 years in print.

By Becky Mollenkamp

The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle

Every 30 seconds, someone in the world buys a copy of The Very Hungry Caterpillar. An astounding fact to be sure, but not surprising for a book that has been adored by generations of young readers.

Eric Carle's classic tale was first published 40 years ago, and to celebrate, the book is being released for the first time in pop-up form. Three-dimensional versions of the original illustrations make the metamorphosis of an insatiable green bug into a beautiful butterfly more exciting than ever. Children can even get in on the action, helping the caterpillar navigate the mud, munch through food, and crawl along branches.

The special 40th anniversary pop-up edition of The Very Hungry Caterpillar sells for $29.99 and is available at bookstores nationwide.

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