The Woolly Bear Caterpillar
by
Julia Donaldson
Illustrated by Yuval Zommer
A little caterpillar with big hopes.....
Publisher: Pan Macmillan Australia
Imprint: Macmillan Children's Books
Publication date: 29th June 2021
Genre: Children's Picture Book
Pages: 32
RRP: & 26.99AUD
Format read: Hardcover
Source: Courtesy of the publisher
My review
We love everything Julia Donaldson here at The Burgeoning Bookshelf and The Woolly Bear Caterpillar is no exception. It has been read and enjoyed over and over.
The Woolly Bear Caterpillar has an ugly duckling vibe as the very plain, and humble, caterpillar searches for her favourite food, dandelion leaves, she happens across other caterpillars much more colourful than her. Each one has a boastful song to sing about how beautiful they are now and are sure to be even more beautiful when they turn into a moth. The Woolly Bear caterpillar was now feeling sad and wished she could be beautiful and exciting.
Each of the caterpillars find the perfect spot to spin their cocoon. They are all in for a few surprises when they emerge as moths!
TWBC is a brilliantly written picture book with stunningly illustrated garden scenes, in double spread, with a myriad of insect life on each page. The story is immersive and has an element of suspense as we wait to see each caterpillar emerge from it's cocoon.
Julia Donaldson uses repetition and alliteration to engage a young audience.
The themes of boasting and pride before a fall give rise to further discussion on the topic and the use of real-life caterpillars, that can be found in the family garden, gives the picture book an educational twist.
At the back of the book is an additional soft cover non-fiction mini book filled with photos and facts about caterpillars and moths.
Jay's favourite part of the book was when Woolly Bear hatched. He was absolutely amazed by the colours and patterns on the Tiger moth.
Dot's favourite part was the mini non-fiction book at the end.
Both children loved discussing which of the caterpillars we have seen in our garden. We are very much on the look-out for a Tiger moth now!
TWBC is the perfect book to add some fun science based learning into your child's day.
Ages: 4 - 10 years
Rated by Dot and Jay 5 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
About the author
Julia Donaldson is the writer of many of the world's best-loved children's books, including The Gruffalo and What the Ladybird Heard adventures. She was the UK Children's Laureate 2011-13 and was awarded a CBE for Services to Literature. Julia and her
husband, Malcolm, divide their time between West Sussex and Edinburgh. They love the great outdoors and can often be found walking on the South Downs, identifying plants and minibeasts galore... including caterpillars.
About the illustrator
Yuval Zommer graduated from the Royal College of Art with an MA in
Illustration. He worked for many years as a creative director in advertising agencies before turning his hand to writing and illustrating award-winning children's books, focusing on animals and the natural world. Yuval lives and works in an old house in London overlooking a small garden that is visited by foxes, birds, squirrels and many insects, some of which later find their way into his books.
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