Arabella Miller's Tiny Caterpillar by Clare Jarrett

Arabella Miller's Tiny Caterpillar by Clare Jarrett
Geared Towards: Ages 4-8
Published By: Candlewick Press
Publication Date: February 2008
ISBN- 13: 978-0763636609

I'm all about books that not only have a good story, but that actually teach a child something too. Be it a lesson about sharing, not fighting, eating your veggies, or life in general. If there's a good message in the story, it makes it all the more appealing to me.

So it was Arabella Miller's Tiny Caterpillar. This is the story of how a young girl, Arabella, discovers a fuzzy caterpillar while she's out climbing trees one day. First Arabella talks to the caterpillar, then she plays with the caterpillar, then she takes it home with her. At home, she makes it a bed of grass and flowers, and then she feeds it lots of tasty foods just perfect for a caterpillar. After the caterpillar eats and eats, Arabella watches as it begins to grow. She then proceeds to watch the caterpillar as it makes its cocoon, and eventually blossoms forth as a beautiful butterfly.

What I really loved about this book, aside from the simple yet colorful illustrations and lovely sing song rhyme, was how it taught its young readers several lessons. It was only a handful of pages, but Jarrett incorporated key lessons that I spotted right off. Obviously, the biggest being the life cycle of the title insect, and how it starts as a caterpillar but after a time transforms in to a butterfly. There was also the lesson of being compassionate and careful with life around you, as well as the lesson of patience. Arabella took the caterpillar home, but she protected and freed it when necessary. And when her little friend made his home in his cocoon she had to exibit patience while she waited to see what would happen.

Here we have another perfect example of a well written book, that is sure to become a favorite of children, parents, and educators.

OUR RATING: 5 Hearts (I promise, as unfortunate as it is, there are books that don't get this rating from us. I just haven't gotten to them here yet. LOL)