About this Item
A delightful and scarce 1981 first edition children's picture book in perfect condition.
Title: The Crawly Crawly Caterpillar
Author: H.E. Todd
Illustrator: Val Biro
Publisher: Carousel Books (Transworld Publishers Ltd.), London
Publication Date: 1981 (First Edition, first printing)
ISBN: 0552521299
Format: Stapled softcover / pictorial wrappers, 32 pages (including endpapers)
Condition: Very Good
Bright, clean covers with vivid colours; only minor creasing, no tears, or marks. Tight binding with all staples intact. The previous owner's name on the title page. Pages are crisp, bright white, and free of other inscriptions, stamps, foxing, or children's markings. A pristine survivor that looks almost as fresh as the day it was published. Extremely rare in this outstanding grade.
Story Summary
This charming picture book follows the life cycle of a "bristly crawly caterpillar with a yellow tummy" from a tiny grey egg on a nettle leaf through to a magnificent Red Admiral butterfly. Told with gentle humour and rhythmic text perfect for reading aloud, it teaches metamorphosis in an engaging way. Val Biro's warm, detailed watercolour illustrations bring the caterpillar's adventures vividly to life.
Author: H.E. Todd (1908?1988)
Herbert Eaton Todd (known affectionately as "Toddy") was a beloved British children's author best known for his long-running Bobby Brewster series (over 60 titles). A former schoolteacher and storyteller, he visited thousands of schools and libraries, captivating over a million children with his live readings. His stories are noted for their warmth, humour, and accessibility?ordinary children encountering magical everyday adventures. Todd collaborated frequently with Val Biro on several picture books, including this one.
Illustrator: Val Biro (1921?2014)
Balint Stephen "Val" Biro was a Hungarian-born British artist, author, and illustrator who emigrated to the UK in 1939. He designed an astonishing 3,000+ book jackets and illustrated hundreds of titles. He is most famous for creating and illustrating the Gumdrop series about a vintage car. Biro's expressive, lively style?often featuring rich colours and charming character details?made him a favourite for children's books. He worked closely with H.E. Todd on multiple titles and continued illustrating into his 90s.
This 1981 Carousel edition is a wonderful example of their collaboration and a classic of 1980s British children's publishing.
A perfect addition to any children's book collection, school library, or gift for a young nature lover. Feel free to ask questions or request more photos.
Seller Inventory # ABE-1782582589946
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