The Very Hungry Caterpillar

THE ICONIC #1 BESTSELLER • The all-time classic picture book starring the world’s favorite caterpillar! Generations of children have grown up on this beautifully dramatized story of a caterpillar who eats his way to becoming a butterfly.

One of The Atlantic’s 65 Essential Children’s Books

“Gorgeously illustrated, brilliantly innovative.”—The New York Times Book Review

In the light of the moon a little egg lay on a leaf.
One Sunday morning the warm sun came up and—pop!—out of the egg came a tiny and very hungry caterpillar.

So begins the journey of Eric Carle’s most beloved storybook character. Follow along as one of nature’s loveliest marvels eats his way through an amazing variety of foods as he prepares to transform into a beautiful butterfly! Children will love the strikingly bold, colorful pictures against a simple text in large, clear type.

An innovative, entertaining story that teaches little ones about counting and the days of the week, this book doubles as the perfect way to introduce change as a positive and necessary part of life. The Very Hungry Caterpillar is an ideal gift for new babies, baby showers, birthdays, and other new beginnings!

Standard and Primary covers are widely available through general retailers. They often have higher print runs and can be cheaper, especially during sales.

In contrast, Direct Market (DM) and variant covers are primarily sold in comic shops. DM editions tend to have more limited availability and may be more valuable to collectors.

The main differences lie in artwork style, availability, price, and collector appeal. Ultimately, the choice between standard and variant covers depends on personal preference, budget, and individual collecting goals.

Comic book enthusiasts have various formats to choose from when collecting their favorite stories.
Here's a brief overview of the main types:

Omnibus

• Large, hardcover collections
• Usually contain complete runs or extensive story arcs
• Typically 800-1000+ pages
• Higher price point, often €100-€150

Oversized Hardcover (OHC)

• Similar dimensions to omnibus, but thinner
• Collect shorter runs or story arcs
• Usually 300-600 pages
• Priced between €30-€50

Hardcover (HC)

• Standard-sized hardcover books
• Collect 6-12 issues typically
• Similar dimensions to single issues, but with a hard cover
• Priced around €25-€35

Trade Paperback (TP)

• Softcover collections
• Standard comic book size
• Usually collect 4-6 issues
• Most affordable option, typically €15-€25

Other Formats

• Absolute Editions: Oversized, deluxe hardcovers (mainly DC Comics)
• Compendiums: Massive paperback collections
• Graphic Novels (OGN/GN): Original stories not previously released as single issues

The choice between these formats often depends on personal preference, budget, and collecting goals. Omnibus and OHC editions offer larger artwork and more content but at a higher price, while TPs provide a more affordable way to collect complete story arcs