As a result the caterpillar becomes sick, but the condition is temporary and relieved by eating a nice green leaf – an homage to food as medicine no doubt. Later, in an exploration of new foods it will eat an ice cream cone, a chocolate cake, a lollipop and a cupcake. It’s consuming the vital nutrients needed for its transformation into a beautiful, adult butterfly and by no coincidence all its food choices to this point are healthy. As adults, we know why the caterpillar is ravenous. Just being born it is of course very hungry and proceeds to eat an apple on Monday, Still hungry, it eats two pears on Tuesday, three plums on Thursday, four strawberries on Friday and five oranges on Saturday. The caterpillar in the story begins his journey by being hatched on a Sunday. But when I arrived at the office and began my day, my thoughts of the book went in a different direction. Overall, it was an enjoyable reverie to brighten an otherwise boring commute. For those unfamiliar with the book, this 6 minute video will catch you up very nicely.

Besides answering the question of where do butterflies come from, the book gives children some lessons in counting (from one to five) and an introduction to some healthy (and not so healthy) foods. The book, written primarily for preschoolers, tells the story of a newly hatched caterpillar and it’s rite of passage into a beautiful adult butterfly. The memories of reading the book to countless nieces and nephews, brought a smile to my face.

Going to work recently, I noticed a poster hanging by our local theater announcing an upcoming showing of The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show.

The very hungry caterpillar book