The Very Hungry Caterpillar.

CARLE, Eric.

Item Number: 55060

Cleveland: World Publishing, 1969.

First edition with the number line 1-10 on the copyright page. Oblong quarto, original illustrated boards. Inscribed by the author opposite the title page, “For Laura With Best Wishes Eric Carle Oct 1970.” Carle has added a drawing of a caterpillar below his signature.  Fine in a near fine price-clipped (not an issue point) dust jacket. Housed in a custom half morocco clamshell box. Signed and inscribed first editions are extremely rare.

"Eric Carle was one of the first illustrators intrigued with the idea of introducing natural science concepts to young children. The Very Hungry Caterpillar has remained in print for [over] 25 years, attesting to its popularity" (Silvey, 120). The Very Hungry Caterpillar was originally published in 1969 and has since sold over 30 million copies and was voted the number two children's picture book in a 2012 survey of School Library Journal readers.