BOOK REVIEW: I Love Dad with the Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle

BOOK REVIEW: I Love Dad with the Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle

Penguin Books
July 2017
Hardcover, $12.99
Reviewed by Natalie Salvo

Children/Picture Books

8/10

Eric Carle is the children’s author and illustrator who famously introduced the world to the Very Hungry Caterpillar. In I Love Dad with the Very Hungry Caterpillar this endearing little critter is back in a new picture book that goes hand in hand with the previously released, I Love Mum. It is a sweet little story that will appeal to young readers thanks to its simplistic sentences and gorgeous illustrations.

Dad…
You are easy to talk to…
And you’re fun to play with.
That’s why…
I love you Dad.

The story is sentimental, is broken down into different parts, and has a nice, fluid flow. This allows the child and the father to pause at each illustration and reflect on different things. There are plenty of laughs to be had as they talk like the parrots that are depicted here or are silly like that cheeky monkey.

The illustrations are vibrant and beautiful. They feature father and baby animals bonding together. Some of these animals are characters from Carle’s other works. Young kids will also enjoy finding the Very Hungry Caterpillar hidden on each page.

I Love Dad is ultimately a playful and sentimental little picture book that enables a father and child to share story time together, which is good because it allows them to think about how much they care for each other, and benefits children in their developmental stages. Carle’s beautiful painted collage illustrations lend a sunniness to these precious moments. This would make a great gift for Father’s Day.

Category: Book Reviews, Other Reviews