The World of Eric Carle is a range of new, exciting products based on the books and artwork of the man himself. Created by a number of companies, the range includes plush toys, puzzles, games, homeware, ceramics, clothing and partyware. I have received a selection of wonderful items based on The Very Hungry Caterpillar to review, and can honestly say that they are all so gorgeous! They have all the charm, nostalgia and magic of the classic book, embracing the gentle illustrations and original style, whilst staying modern, fresh and relevant to kids of today.
The range includes greeting cards. The birthday boy and girl designs are colourful and come in a sunshine yellow envelope, guaranteed to brighten up the birthday boy or girl's day.
Carrying on from the birthday theme, the range includes partyware for themed party clebrations, perfect for little ones. The 3m long paper garland comes with sixteen motifs, such as the caterpillar, his food and a rainbow, pre-strung with green cord. The table napkins feature strawberries and the caterpillar and come in a pack of 20 x 3 ply paper napkins.
I absolutely love this Nature Walk Scrapbook, which comes with 70 stickers. It encourages children out into the outdoors where they can try to spot all the wonderful plants and animals around them. The pages invite children to record their findings by drawing pictures or sticking things in or even by leaving a muddy welly print on the page. It is beautifully illustrated, with engaging words and interactive activities for little nature hunters to enjoy.
My Natural Trail Adventure is a 2 in 1 jigsaw puzzle and counting fun set. It contains a big 36 piece 40 x 40cm puzzle. It is double sided, with one side featuring insects that can be coloured in once the puzzle is completed. The activity book features lots of full colour, simple counting picture puzzles for little children. The chunky box has a velcro fastener to keep everything safe inside.
The 4-in-1 Games Box includes Matching Bingo, 4 Shapes-in-a-Row, Snap and Twisted Pairs games. The chunky playing pieces teach shape recognition, picture matching, memory and turn taking skills. Everything fits into the cube box and has a cord handle for carrying it around. It is aimed at children aged 3+ due to having small pieces.
This activity set comes in a beautiful, reusable metal tin. Inside there are 3 fun pads filled with colouring in pages and activity puzzles, 4 felt tip pens, 50 stickers and a double sided poster that has one side for colouring in. There is plenty here to keep children occupied and entertained on rainy days.
My absolutely favourite piece is this beautiful Caterpillar Shaped Party Plate from Portmeirion. It has four sections across the body of the caterpillar, perfect for holding small snacks such as pieces of fruit. It would be lovely on a themed party table, but is equally good for using all year round. Children would be encouraged to eat their fruit knowing how much The Very Hungry Caterpillar enjoys eating his! It is a high quality item, made with attention to detail and true to the illustrations of Eric Carle. It would make a lovely collectible piece for Portmeirion collectors with fond memories of the book. Portmeirion also do a range of other ceramic gifts such as figurines, moneybox, mugs and bookends, all featuring The Very Hungry Caterpillar.
This duvet cover and pillowcase set is suitable for cot bed sized duvets, so is perfect for a toddler's nursery. It has a gentle design featuring the caterpillar and his food. The pillowcase is reversible so you can choose between the same design as is on the duvet cover, or go for a big caterpillar with the wording "The Very Hungry Caterpillar". If this book is a child's favourite bedtime story, just imagine how comforting it would be for them to immerse themselves in the familiar illustrations as they snuggle down to sleep.
The World of Eric Carle products promote the joy of playful learning and discovery, inspiring children to explore and grow. There are products for play, for wearing, for cuddling, for bedtime, for parties and for being out and about. The Very Hungry Caterpillar can accompany little ones through many aspects of their lives, bringing familiarity, comfort, fun and inspiration.
You can find information on the products from the World of Eric Carle on the official World of Eric Carle Facebook Page. They make wonderful Christmas presents for children, with products suitable for all ages.
