Top Children Books: The Very Clumsy Click Beetle (Eric Carle's Very Series)

Finally, here's a brand-new book in Eric Carle's extraordinarily popular Very series. And with a new surprise!

When a little click beetle falls onto his back, it seeks the help of a wise old click beetle. "Look at me," says the more experienced click beetle, giving a loud CLICK and flipping onto its feet. But try as it might, the clumsy little click beetle just can't seem to land feet first--or can it?

In the tradition of The Very Hungry Caterpillar Carle creates a winning story of perseverance and pride in achievement complete with an ingenious surprise that truly gives voice to the valiant little beetle as it CLICKs its way through the colorful pages and somersaults into your heart.Eric Carle first published The Very Hungry Caterpillar in 1969, fully intending to create a series of interactive creature books for children. The beloved busy spider, quiet cricket, and lonely firefly books followed, but the artist's quest was not truly complete until The Very Clumsy Click Beetle was born. Carle, who says he'd rather watch a bug attempt to climb over a pebble than join an expedition to Mount Everest, appreciates the small things in life: the Eyed Elator (Alaus oculatus), to be exact--unremarkable except for that when this beetle falls on its back, it can't roll over to get up. Instead, it will stretch and release a snap mechanism that clicks and flips the beetle through the air, and ideally, back onto its feet.

The very clumsy click beetle has no trouble with the clicking and flipping part, but it does have trouble landing on its feet. The young beetle tries and tries again, encouraged by an ambling turtle, a slithering snail, and a scurrying mouse. Finally, when a curious boy approaches, the beetle takes coaching from a wise old click beetle ("QUICK, CLICK and FLIP!") and succeeds. Children will love the bright, bold, tissue-paper illustrations that tell this story of perseverance, as well as--of course--the unusual clicking sound (emanating from an electronic chip with built-in battery and light sensor) that accompanies this playful book. (Click to see a sample spread. Copyright 1999 by Eric Carle. Permission of Philomel Books.) (Preschool and older) --Karin Snelson

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The Very Clumsy Click Beetle (Eric Carle's Very Series) is sold on Amazon for a good price because there are many discount programs. Now, you may save$14.48 when buying this item.