The Very Hungry Caterpillar

Eric Carle's memorable children's best-selling book has been adopted by nutritionists, preachers, ecologists, actors, satirists, teachers and psychotherapists - and is still a favourite among parents and children.

It was cited by George W Bush as the most influential book he had ever read and it has been described as a profound philosophical text to rival Kahlil Gibran's The Prophet.

Poet John Hegley investigates the phenomenon.

Producer: Kate Taylor

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2004.

Why Eric Carle's classic children's book has remained a firm favourite.

Episodes

First
Broadcast
RepeatedComments
2004100020171204 (BBC7)
20171205 (BBC7)