The Very Hungry Caterpillar's Christmas Eve by Eric Carle

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A lift-the-flap book. Penguin, 2019. ISBN: 9780241350249. 12p.
(Age: 1-4) Recommended. Themes: Christmas. What fun to meet the very hungry caterpillar again, this time haunting a house that is getting ready to celebrate a snowy Christmas. The reader is encouraged to lift the flaps following the narrative that is set out in rhymes and is great to read aloud:
It's Christmas Eve
and the moon shines bright,
Who's at home
on this silent night?

In gorgeous bright hues, the reader is introduced to three inhabitants of the house, a cat, a dog and a mouse, and must lift the flap to find out which one is behind it. Then after lifting a beautifully decorated Christmas tree, the final page reveals a special surprise: Father Christmas, wishing everyone a happy Christmas. Meanwhile, the reader will also have lots of fun finding the very hungry caterpillar who is lurking somewhere on each double spread.
The cover of the book is particularly eye-catching with a background of gold foil and its gorgeous Christmas tree, surrounded by presents and decorations. The caterpillar is well camouflaged as well! The back cover is equally as gorgeous with its gold background and little cat batting at snowflakes.
This would make a delightful book to have on hand to read before Christmas.
Pat Pledger

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