My niece and nephew visited this weekend with my sister Debbie. We wouldn’t let the kids on the Electronics until they had played a while. Since it was so hot I told the kids that they needed to pick out a game they could play together.
Lily and Jason came into the office to find a game and as they were looking for what they wanted to play. Lily found the children’s book Charlie the Caterpillar.
Lily asked if she could read this book and I said that would be fine. Lily came and climbed onto the couch with me. We opened the book up and as Lily began to read Charlie came and sat down next to us.
Jason wanted to learn what Charlie the Caterpillar did and why. Charlie liked having a Caterpillar named after him and Lily liked knowing there is nice bugs because she is terrified of any and ever bug out there.
I loved how the story teaches children to be themselves and it doesn’t matter what they look like. Having this book has helped Charlie as he has been struggling with the way people treat him and through the book Charlie heard a lot of kind words and when they were done reading the book we listened to the song and sung it and pretended to be Caterpillars and they showed each other what they would have done if they were Charlie.
Through the book Charlie now wants to study Caterpillar and Butterflies in our Homeschool Science Class. For Charlie I want to get a kit were he can raise his own Butterfly which Lily and Jason can help Charlie with.
I believe every parent should have a copy of for when there children are feeling down or struggling with how friends treat them because this book will lift there spirits and show them its okay to be different.
When Charlie the Caterpillar looks in the mirror, all he sees is what’s missing. But with the help of some caring and colorful friends, he begins to learn it’s what inside that counts.
The book’s lively illustrations in vibrant colors bring the story to life. Its lyrical words work for both reading silently and aloud.
The accompanying contemporary “Charlie the Caterpillar” song, also written by Gutman, is available on iTunes, Spotify and SoundCloud and is sure to have children and their parents tapping their toes, too (soundcloud.com/drewgut)!
About Andy Gutman
Andy Gutman is the author of Even, Charlie the Caterpillar, Pop Lullaby, What Can I Be Today and Be Kind. A self-described boring businessman by day, the Detroit father unleashes his creative side at night while the world is asleep. He has written and produced numerous songs, including song accompaniments to his children’s books.
All of Gutman’s books highlight important values including trust, love and kindness. His greatest accomplishment is his daughter Riley, who becomes more amazing with each passing day and has inspired the message behind Gutman’s books. Andy is a businessman, songwriter, author, poet but mostly a dreamer who tries to see the beauty in the world and the good in everyone.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
