Worlds Best Selling Book

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ray gower

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According to the BBC Arts Programme, the worlds largest selling childrens book is The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle and ranks as 199 on the BBC Good Read list

It is so well thought of that there are even university degrees based around it.

I have never heard of it.

Anybody actually read it well enough to offer an opinion?
 
Young Children's Books

Yes, it's very popular with 3-5 year olds. It has a hole right through the middle of the book which goes through each of the different foods the catterpillar eats. It eats so much it feels sick, then it eats green leaves and feels much better, then it turns into a Butterfly. I think you really need to have had a 3-5 year old at some time to appreciate it fully!

When my kids were small I think they liked 'Owl Babies' or 'The Grumpalump' (sp!) or 'Spot' or 'Little Bear' or 'The Blue Balloon' better.

The childrens author Tony Bradman lives near me. He writes the 'Dilly the Dinosaur' books, among others, which are very popular. His girls went to the same school as mine when they were much younger, but he was helping at the school summer fayre once and selling some books on a stall. A woman wanted to buy a book and he kindly offered to sign it for her. She looked at him really strangely and he said, "Well I wrote it you see!" -- The problems of being not so famous!

Then of course, should I mention 'Harry Potter'? That is the only book that will get 8-10 year old boys away from their Gameboys.
 
"In the light of the moon a little egg lay on a leaf"

You've never read "The Very Hungry Caterpillar"?!?! :eek: Poor deprived Ray. :( :p

I haven't read it for a few years now, but it's a nice book. It's not a long book - intended age range is probably about 5-6 years old, and most copies are big and made of cardboard. It's about a caterpillar's life - he hatches from an egg, eats everything he can find, then goes to sleep and wakes up as a beautiful butterfly. :D

It has pretty pictures, and it's a happy story, but I'm not really sure why it's the most popular children's book. And there are university degrees based on it? I don't understand how that would work. The whole book probably has about 50 words in it. I don't know... maybe there are hidden metaphors and things? :lol:
 
George Bush's Favourite

Apparently, George Bush says that 'The Very Hungry Catterpiller' is also his own favourite book from childhood.

It was first published in 1969; the year that George graduated from Yale.

I just don't understand how America voted for this guy. :rolleyes:
 
At least it proves he can read, even if it is sub-Noddy standard, then we knew that already ;)

Looking at the script of the BBC programme that introduced this useful nugget. The book is a fine example of portraying high moral standards in a fashion even children can understand.
It is in this that context that it is used for degree courses.

To me it is another sign of educationalists live on another planet
 
Re: George Bush's Favourite

Originally posted by Dave
Apparently, George Bush says that 'The Very Hungry Catterpiller' is also his own favourite book from childhood.

It was first published in 1969; the year that George graduated from Yale.

I just don't understand how America voted for this guy. :rolleyes:
Click to expand...


Which George Bush? there are 2 remember (why we needed more than one, I'll never know... but anyway) -- You mean George W.? Well, since he still hasn't grown up, then, he could, very well, be telling the truth.

to answer the last part - mindless sheep (or they just didn't like Kerry enough to vote for him, plus, I heard Kermit the Frog decided not to run this year - he was just feeling a bit too green)
 
Re: Re: George Bush's Favourite

Originally posted by Highlander II
Which George Bush? there are 2 remember (why we needed more than one, I'll never know... but anyway)
Click to expand...

I think there may well be some confusion there. It was something I just heard on the radio when I was driving the car. That was why I said 'apparently'. On the other hand George W is known for his Bushisms.

Without going too far OT, I think you are right -- Kerry just wasn't good enough. We will have the same problem next year in the UK. From my own experience and some polls I've seen people think Tony Blair consistently lied to them and is the master of spin-doctoring, but they will still vote for him despite that, because the other alternatives are even worse than someone who has lost their trust.

I also heard on the news today how students think UK degrees have been devalued. So exactly which Universities set this book as an English text?
 
Aye - he is, indeed, known for saying stupid things. ;)



I think I've read this book, actually, I'm quite sure of it -

Dunno if m'mom got it for my neice and nephew tho -

However, as a 'teaching' tool - not sure... *shrug* stranger things have happened...


(this is called, how to get a thread back on topic via political stupidity - ie: tangent! :) )
 
Actually, I think we've said practically everything that is possible about this book. It isn't that long or wordy, which makes me wonder exactly what there is to study!
 
Proably ranks up by the graffiti on a toilet cubicle wall above the paper dispenser- 'Sociology Degrees'
 
One of the comments at the bottom of that article asks how they can make the film with the "holes".

That is very insightful. It just won't be the same without the holes. :D
 
please tell me this will be a 'straight to DVD' release...

*bangs head*

I can't get "The Fountain" to even come out in the right year, but they can make a film about a freakin' caterpillar that eats stuff? ugh....
 
The question is, who is going to take the leading role?

Eddie Murphy perhaps, as he takes the Micheal Caine philosophy to stupid lengths?
Then somebody can tread on him?

Or Arnie?
And he can beat up the guy he trod on him?
 
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