The Very Impatient Caterpillar
A caterpillar cannot wait to change into a butterfly, repeatedly asking, "Is it time yet?" The shouting, oversized text captures the feeling of being impatient, making it a very relatable read for small children.
The Very Impatient Caterpillar by Ross Burach is estimated to take about 6 minutes to read aloud (403 words, about 2 sentences a page), and it lands best with children aged 3-6.
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- Estimated read-aloud time
- about 6 minutesEstimated read-aloud time
- Word count
- 403Counted words
- Sentences per page
- 2Sentences per page
- Re-read tolerance
- 4/5repeat friendly
- Vocabulary level
- 2/5everyday words
- Best for
- Ages 3-6Our editorial fit
Our review
This book is a wonderful way to talk about the concept of waiting. It validates the frustration children feel when they have to be patient, but does so in a way that is funny rather than frustrating.
The "call and response" nature of the caterpillar's questions makes it a highly interactive book. It’s particularly good for kids who like to join in and shout along with the characters.
Themes
- patience
- butterflies
- metamorphosis
- humour
- waiting
Books like The Very Impatient Caterpillar
Matched by refrain, density, length, and listener—not just the subject.
Questions parents ask
How long does it take to read The Very Impatient Caterpillar aloud?
About 6 minutes at an unhurried pace, including a standard allowance for page turns, pictures and participation, from a word count of 403. Stopping for a longer conversation on every page will add more time.
What age is The Very Impatient Caterpillar actually for?
Ages 3-6 in our testing, which is narrower than the publisher's range. With 2 sentences a page and vocabulary at 2 out of 5, it asks for that much attention span and no more.
Does The Very Impatient Caterpillar survive being read on repeat?
Yes. It survives a fortnight of nightly repeats, which is the real test.
Is The Very Impatient Caterpillar a good book for a child who will not sit still?
It helps that it has a refrain a child can join in with, and it asks the child questions to answer out loud. Those three features are what keep a wriggling toddler listening, far more than the subject matter does.
Will my child memorise The Very Impatient Caterpillar?
Probably, and fast. The book leans on a repeated refrain, and at 4 out of 5 for re-read tolerance it survives the nightly repeats that get a book memorised. Expect your child to chant the pattern back before they can actually read.
Can a beginning reader read The Very Impatient Caterpillar on their own?
It is closer than most picture books. With 2 sentences a page and plain vocabulary (2 out of 5), a confident early reader can attempt it, though it is written to be read aloud first.
What themes does The Very Impatient Caterpillar cover?
We tag it with patience, butterflies, metamorphosis, humour and waiting. Those are the threads that actually run through the book, not just the ones on the cover, which is how it earns its place on our themed lists rather than a keyword match.
