The Very Hungry Caterpillar is Eric Carle's popular story book for young children. Weighing in at 225 words and lavishly illustrated, the tale follows a caterpillar as it munches its way through a variety of comestibles such as ice cream, salami, watermelon and a lollipop before it finally pupates and emerges as a butterfly. The book has been praised for its use of easy-to-read words which makes it good for teaching young children to read.

The original title of the book was to have been Willy the Bookworm. As of 2005, a copy is sold roughly every 57 seconds. George W. Bush has expressed his fondness for the book.

It has been translated into over 50 languages. Various interpretations have been placed upon it - for example, it is seen as a transformation story in Cambodia and an anti-capitalist work in the former East Germany.

The book was originally published in 1969.