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Secret Life
The Secret Life of the Woolly Bear Caterpillar
Kids often spot woolly bear caterpillars creeping across the ground in fall, but these furry-looking creatures seem to disappear as quicklyas they pop up. Where do they come from in autumn, and where do theygo? In fact, they live throughout North America all year long. In vividstorytelling style, Laurence Pringle uncovers the secret life of the woollybear caterpillar, following one caterpillar as she feasts, tiny and hidden, inthe tall summer grass; molts and grows; then sets off on the fall journeywhere she's most likely to be seen. Packed with surprising details (did you know that woolly bears can survive freezing temperatures by producinga natural antifreeze?), this book will appeal to every child who's been luck yenough to spy one of these beloved caterpillars—and to anyone who'd like to.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published April 1, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
February 13, 2017
Woolly bear caterpillars are common in New York State, so I was happy to find this book so I could read more about them. I learned a lot. Caterpillar droppings are called "frass." Contrary to popular belief, the red bands on these caterpillars can't predict the mildness or severity of the coming winter. Woolly bears molt, and every time they shed their skin, their red bands get wider. So the narrower the band, the younger the woolly bear. In the fall, they find some deep place to hibernate, and in the spring they form a cocoon. Eventually what emerges from the cocoon is an Isabella Tiger Moth. I've probably seen one and not even realized that it was once a woolly bear caterpillar! I would love to attend some of the woolly bear festivals mentioned at the end of the book. Libraries in NY state and anywhere else where woolly bears are found should have this book. Highly recommended!!
December 17, 2022
Growing up in a town with a famed "Wolly Worm Festival," I was expecting to know all the things. I was wrong, and sorely mislead in my knowledge of these incredible caterpillars.
This little volume is loaded with information! The illustrations and "storyline" make it accessible for younger kiddos, while the older ones (and their parents) will be steeped in Wolly Bear facts and legends.
I appreciate these little guys so much more now and look forward to pulling this book back out through the years.
This little volume is loaded with information! The illustrations and "storyline" make it accessible for younger kiddos, while the older ones (and their parents) will be steeped in Wolly Bear facts and legends.
I appreciate these little guys so much more now and look forward to pulling this book back out through the years.
April 22, 2023
This was such a cute little book about the woolly bear caterpillar. There was much I didn't know about these little critters besides the myth that they can predict the harshness of winter, but this book elaborated nicely on this, and other woolly bear facts.
I would say this book would be best used by children around ages 6 or older, as well as early grade school children.
Wonderfully fun and informative!
I would say this book would be best used by children around ages 6 or older, as well as early grade school children.
Wonderfully fun and informative!
March 11, 2022
Narrative nonfiction about the caterpillar that I see most from the bike path. Learned a lot: didn’t know they molted, that they turned into tiger moths, and that some cities have festivals for them. I did know the amount of orange color predicting the cold weather is just a superstition. Great back matter and pleasing detailed illustrations.
November 29, 2017
This is a great book to teach children about the most common found caterpillar. I remember as a kid always finding these but never knowing what they ate or did. I really enjoyed the illustrations in this book.
March 21, 2019
This is a great book to teach children about the most common found caterpillar. I remember as a kid always finding these but never knowing what they ate or did. I really enjoyed the illustrations in this book.
June 3, 2020
This author visited my child’s elementary school. This book is very informative and a little wordy for a child’s picture book, but they enjoy reading it!
December 10, 2022
Really interesting for me and my bug-loving kids!
March 19, 2020
*woolly bear caterpillars
*looking creatures seem to disappear as quickly as they pop up.
*live throughout North America all year long.
*tall summer grass
*Teaches kids about caterpillars
*looking creatures seem to disappear as quickly as they pop up.
*live throughout North America all year long.
*tall summer grass
*Teaches kids about caterpillars
June 13, 2018
I thought this book would be fun because these types of Caterpillars are something many kids grow up playing with and exploring. I think kids would like reading and learning about their furry friends.
June 28, 2014
Cut paper and mixed medium illustrations of wooly bear caterpillars--we called them "wooly worm" when I was a child--accompany informative text about these fascinating creatures and their life cycle. I liked how the author makes the caterpillar's disappearance after weeks of munching seem so mysterious--and then proceeds to solve the mystery of where it goes. Given the number of predators it might encounter during its lifespan, one wonders how likely it is that it somehow manages to survive. The back matter includes notes that dispel some common misperceptions about wooly bears and information about the origin of the word "caterpillar." It's a great word and fun to say, isn't it? I just about always enjoy books by Laurence Pringle, and this one is no exception. The focus on the caterpillar instead of the moth it becomes was a nice change of pace.
July 3, 2014
This colorfully illustrated children's picture book explores the life-cycle of the Isabella Tiger Moth, whose caterpillar is known as the "woolly bear." "Bella" the caterpillar goes about her business eating and growing bigger before finding a safe place to spend the winter. When spring arrives, she has one more feeding frenzy before spinning a cocoon and transforming into her moth form.
Many kids will have seen woolly bear caterpillars before, but probably will not be as familiar with the moth that they become. An afterword provides some additional information about woolly bears as well as a glossary. It would have been helpful to have a diagram of the lifecycle that shows all of the stages and gives a better idea of how long these creatures live - both as caterpillars and as moths.
Many kids will have seen woolly bear caterpillars before, but probably will not be as familiar with the moth that they become. An afterword provides some additional information about woolly bears as well as a glossary. It would have been helpful to have a diagram of the lifecycle that shows all of the stages and gives a better idea of how long these creatures live - both as caterpillars and as moths.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 23, 2014
Woolly bear caterpillars are a perennial favorite with children. Pringle provides an overview of the caterpillar’s journey from egg to caterpillar to pupa to isabella tiger moth. Paley’s engaging graphic mixed media illustrations are colorful and appealing.
A more detailed explanation of woolly bear myths and facts, as well as a glossary, is located at the back of the book. Young scientists will enjoy learning interesting details (such as woolly bears produce a natural antifreeze so they don’t freeze over winter) and scientific terms such as “setae” (the stiff, bristly “hairs” on a caterpillar’s body).
Appealing and informative, “The Secret Life of the Woolly Bear Caterpillar,” is a solid addition to elementary collections.
A more detailed explanation of woolly bear myths and facts, as well as a glossary, is located at the back of the book. Young scientists will enjoy learning interesting details (such as woolly bears produce a natural antifreeze so they don’t freeze over winter) and scientific terms such as “setae” (the stiff, bristly “hairs” on a caterpillar’s body).
Appealing and informative, “The Secret Life of the Woolly Bear Caterpillar,” is a solid addition to elementary collections.
April 7, 2014
This story about a caterpillar named Bella contains accurate facts about the lives of woolly bear caterpillars woven into a story full of drama.
The text is a little long for reading aloud, though the action is well suited to being shared with an audience. I learned a lot while reading this book, especially from the two page spread following the story that dispels some popular myths. A glossary is also included.
Cut paper illustrations give the artwork a nice visual texture. Recommended for grades K-5.
The text is a little long for reading aloud, though the action is well suited to being shared with an audience. I learned a lot while reading this book, especially from the two page spread following the story that dispels some popular myths. A glossary is also included.
Cut paper illustrations give the artwork a nice visual texture. Recommended for grades K-5.
March 19, 2014
A nice, informative narrative about the life cycle of on woolly caterpillar the author named Bella. The illustrations are not realistically drawn save for Bella, who has a bit more detail but is not totally realistic. This may limit interest/ use to readers just graduating from The Very Hungry Caterpillar. Scientific terms are provided parenthetically and defined in the glossary at the end of the book where the author debunks the myth about the severity of winter and woolly caterpillars and also provides more information. No source notes or suggestions for further reading.
May 17, 2016
This literary nonfiction narration of Bella's journey from egg to moth is colorfully illustrated in cut out paper and mixed media. The font is bolded in order to standout for the reader which will remember the dangers and day-to-day activities in the life of a woolly bear caterpillar's metamorphosis. The story also explores if it is truly possible for humans to observe this caterpillar to predict winter weather. Further notes at the end of the book give more information on this caterpillar, and a diagram of it's body is included.
June 17, 2014
A comprehensive introduction to the woolly bear caterpillar. The narrative follows Bella, the caterpillar, through her life cycle until she is an adult Isabella Tiger Moth laying her own eggs. I felt that there was a bit of a disconnect between the simple, young child feel of the book and the more difficult, vocabulary-laden text of the story.
A good fit for second grade, which studies butterflies and insects as part of a science unit.
A good fit for second grade, which studies butterflies and insects as part of a science unit.
April 19, 2014
SO happy to find this informative and engaging book. I'm sure there must be other books about woolly bears but I've not found them. Woolly bear caterpillars are big favorites with our family and I've never known much about them. Happily Pringle remedies that nicely here with a book that will be very useful in elementary classrooms.
I had NO idea woolly bears wintered over!
I had NO idea woolly bears wintered over!
August 9, 2016
They are instantly recognizable, but I really didn't know much at all about wooly bear caterpillars, and I bet you didn't either before reading this. I was very pleased to see a nod to the kind person helping the caterpillar across the road!
May 11, 2014
A detailed overview of the woolly caterpillar life cycle from egg to moth. There is plenty of vocabulary introduced in the story with a glossary at the end. Could be helpful with butterfly and life cycle units.
March 21, 2014
Appealing, informative narrative colorfully illustrated.
May 4, 2014
Contains glossary, labeled diagram, and additional information about the woolly bear caterpillars.
May 7, 2014
great integration of vocab, and although the illustrations were wonderful, sometimes I think nonfiction could use a photograph or two.
February 5, 2015
Excellent information about the woolly bear caterpillar. The illustrations seem very "young" for the type of information offered in this book.
July 20, 2015
An informative and comprehensive story about the life cycle of a woolly bear caterpillar, complete with an author's note and glossary.
November 5, 2016
Good information in this picture book. The illustrations are colorful but very stylized.
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February 4, 2018Nonfiction/Twin Text Entry #1
This book is a nonfiction informational book. I know this because it provides facts about woolly caterpillars. For example, it talks about the life of the caterpillar, the cocoon stage, and the transformation into a butterfly.
This book is intended for kindergarten to third grade.
I chose to pair this book with the fiction book: Love from The Very Hungry Caterpillar written by Eric Carle. These books relate because they both center on caterpillars. The Secret Life of the Woolly Caterpillar focuses on the facts of how a caterpillar grows and changes into a butterfly, while Love from The Very Hungry Caterpillar follows the caterpillar through the book and looks at things it loves. These books would be a great addition to a science and reading lesson. The teacher could read The Very Hungry Caterpillar during reading time, and during science read fact filled, The Secret Life of the Woolly Bear Caterpillar. This would allow the teacher to make connections between the two lessons, and giving the children a chance to learn about making connections.
This book is a nonfiction informational book. I know this because it provides facts about woolly caterpillars. For example, it talks about the life of the caterpillar, the cocoon stage, and the transformation into a butterfly.
This book is intended for kindergarten to third grade.
I chose to pair this book with the fiction book: Love from The Very Hungry Caterpillar written by Eric Carle. These books relate because they both center on caterpillars. The Secret Life of the Woolly Caterpillar focuses on the facts of how a caterpillar grows and changes into a butterfly, while Love from The Very Hungry Caterpillar follows the caterpillar through the book and looks at things it loves. These books would be a great addition to a science and reading lesson. The teacher could read The Very Hungry Caterpillar during reading time, and during science read fact filled, The Secret Life of the Woolly Bear Caterpillar. This would allow the teacher to make connections between the two lessons, and giving the children a chance to learn about making connections.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews