Author Study | The World Of Eric Carle

Something truly magical happens when an adult reads "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" to a child who will no doubt be in awe of this well known and loved book. These days, the little green, red-faced caterpillar is everywhere - clothing, bibs, plates, cups, toys... I love all of the early learning that comes from this and many more Eric Carle books... Allow me to summarise (the five pictured below are key 'living things' texts I used for my recent Author Study).


The Very Hungry Caterpillar

Key themes at the core of this well loved classic include life cycles, numbers 1-5, days of the week & healthy/unhealthy food. Here are some resources and ideas (so much inspiration out there on the web).

- Have a Hungry Cateprillar shared fruit party! Simply purchase 1 apple, 2 pears, 3 plums, 4 strawberries and 5 oranges, ask the children to place them in the sequential order, retell the story, cut them up and enjoy them for shared fruit time.


- Here's a link to a story pattern, which is great for sequencing the hungry caterpillar story!
- And here's a great you tube link to watch the story.
This link has more than 60 play ideas based on the Very Hungry Caterpillar.
- My students created their own Eric Carle inspired painted collages of the Hungry Caterpillar (pictured below)


- And two handy little worksheets below :)

click here for source
click here to download (free)


The Very Busy Spider

Key themes include; farm animals, persistence & spider webs.

- I like this you tube link because it's the story's been turned into a song!
- Our class made our own "Very Busy" book, with each student writing a sentence and something they were very busy doing!
- We also created a spider web of our own by passing a roll of twine all around a circle. A great lesson in team work!
- Finally a simple colouring sheet and a couple of sequencing activities...

click here for source
click here to download (free)
click here to download (free)

The Bad Tempered Ladybird

This text focuses on concepts of time, size, sharing and getting along with others.

- Make your own lady bug clocks (I got my inspiration from this example I found on pinterest).
- Here's a great clock matching activity
- There are many great mathematical opportunities by counting or adding spots on the ladybugs!
- Engage in discussions with your students about the things that make them feel grumpy or grouchy.
Here's a youtube link to see and hear the story
- The powerpoint presentation below is designed to be used on the interactive whiteboard while children show their answers on student clocks

download for free form here

The Tiny Seed

Key themes include, seasons & weather, life cycles and plants.

- Here's a useful link to The Tiny Seed on you tube.
- Quite an obvious activity to go with this book is to plant your own seeds and watch them grow! We love the Live Love Beans because they have messages printed on them!
- Learn about the 4 seasons and different types of weather we experience.
- Label the parts of a plant worksheet (and other relevant activities to create a 'mini book')

click here to download (free)

Click here to purchase this mini-book

The Very Quiet Cricket

The Very Quiet Cricket focuses on persistence and friendship. The great thing I like about this book is the variety of minibeasts you can learn about and the different noises they make. If you're lucky enough you might be able to find a copy of this book with built in sound effects on the last page - very special and will have little ones on the edge of their seats!

- This website had quite a comprehensive list of a variety of activities to go with The Very Quiet Cricket.
- I found this activity pack full of resources from TpT for just $3.00!
- Click here for the youtube link to hear and see the story.

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Some of my other favourite Eric Carle books are pictured below...


- The Mixed Up Chameleon
- Draw Me a Star
- Little Cloud
- Mr Seahorse
- Friends

Two other timeless classics were written by Bill Martin Jr however the illustrations were done by Eric Carle. I believe the Art of Eric Carle is such an important component when engaging in this Author Study.


There's also a special version dedicated to endangered species called Panda Bear Panda Bear, What Do You See?

Below are some helpful resources to support your use of these texts:
- Kizclub.com is a great website I've used for years. I found all three story patterns which are great for sequencing; Brown Bear Story Pattern,  Polar Bear Story Pattern & Panda Bear Story Pattern. My students loved retelling the books with story patterns.
- Here are you tube links to all three books; Brown BearPolar Bear and Panda Bear

I also found a mini book for Brown Bear
We loved making a class book using this template.

Other books in the Eric Carle series for young children are the ABC and 123 books.


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Finally, here's a link to the Eric Carle Website which I found very informative to refer to throughout our unit. I love the Author Study approach to teaching English and found that my students were immersed, motivated and engaged in their learning. I'm so glad I had the idea to write this post to collate many of my Eric Carle resources and links in to the one place (but there is soooooo much more out there!)

Miss M and I were lucky enough to go and see The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show! Click here to read my review. I highly recommend seeing it if you have the opportunity!

Next Author Study for us is... Hairy Maclary and his friend Lynley Dodd.

Lauren

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    "Stepping into the world of Eric Carle's imagination is like embarking on a colorful and whimsical adventure where words and illustrations dance together in perfect harmony. His books are not just stories; they are magical portals that transport readers of all ages to a place where curiosity, creativity, and the wonder of nature collide. Thank you, Eric Carle, for filling our lives with the timeless beauty of your artistry and the joy of your stories." 📚🌟🎨 #EricCarle #LiteraryMagic #Inspiration

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  11. "Exploring the vibrant and imaginative world of Eric Carle has been such a joy! His unique illustrations and enchanting stories not only captivate young readers but also offer a wonderful glimpse into the power of creativity and simplicity in children's literature. 🌟📚"

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  12. "Eric Carle’s ability to blend colorful artwork with meaningful storytelling is truly inspiring. His books, like 'The Very Hungry Caterpillar,' are timeless classics that continue to spark imagination and teach valuable lessons to children everywhere. 📖🐛"

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  13. "Delving into Eric Carle's work reveals a magical world where illustrations and narratives come to life. His books are a testament to how art and storytelling can work harmoniously to create unforgettable experiences for readers of all ages. 🎨✨"

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  14. "Eric Carle’s storytelling is a beautiful reminder of how simple yet profound stories can be. His creative use of collage and bright colors not only delights young readers but also encourages a love for books and art from an early age. 🌈📚"

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