FROM OUR EDITORS

Beloved author/artist Eric Carle brings together three of his Very Little books in one fabulous box! The board book editions of three of his bestselling titles -- The Very Hungry Caterpillar, The Very Busy Spider, and The Very Lonely Firefly -- are packaged together in this sturdy cardboard case, letting young readers take these critters wherever they go. A perfect gift for birthdays or any special occasion, this fun-loving library is bound to make your child's reading time sunny and magical.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Children all over the world have grown up with Eric Carle and his "very" books. Now, for the first time, three of these classic board books are together in their own little library! Packaged in a beautiful slipcase, the timeless The Very Hungry Caterpillar, The Very Lonely Firefly, and The Very Busy Spider make a collection essential for every new baby, and every child beginning the road to reading.

Note: The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art (www.picturebookart.org) in Amherst, Massachusetts, opened in November 2002, where children and adults alike can enjoy along with original picture book art, an arts and crafts room and become artists for a day (or a lifetime).

FROM THE CRITICS

Publishers Weekly

Eric Carle's Very Little Library is a boxed set of three favorite board books, The Very Hungry Caterpillar; The Very Lonely Firefly, with its flashing firefly lights; and The Very Busy Spider, with its tactile spider web. Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.

Children's Literature - Susie Wilde

One of the most revered writers for young children, Eric Carle is a perfect match for the toddler years. This boxed set contains three of his popular titles. Carle's bright collages, simple words, introduction of concepts, and understanding of young emotional development are winning combinations. They are all found in the board book version of The Very Lonely Firefly (orig. 1995). This story of light and loneliness contains a sensory surprise at the book's end. Carle's The Very Busy Spider (orig. 1984) comes to board book format with the same raised texturing that has thrilled preschoolers for over a decade. The spider busily spins her web while animals invite her to play. Children will have great fun making the animal noises, seeing and feeling the web grow, finding the fly on each page, and hearing the satisfying end as the spider falls asleep after her busy day. The most popular of the books has to be The Very Hungry Caterpillar. One Sunday a very hungry caterpillar hatched. He eats his way through a variety of foods that are boldly and colorfully illustrated. The story progresses with the caterpillar spinning a cocoon and waking up as a beautiful butterfly, illustrating one of nature's common but lovely marvels. This boxed set would make a lovely gift for any young child. 2004, Philomel, Ages 18 mo. to 5.