Caterpillar and Bean

œCaterpillar and Bean offers a charming and beautifully illustrated exploration of the life cycle and growth process, bringing science to life for young children aged five and above. In this engaging picture book by Martin Jenkins, with art by Hannah Tolson, a tiny white egg hatches into a hungry caterpillar that munches its way through the leaves of a bean plant. As it eats, grows and changes, it builds anticipation of its ultimate transformation. Measuring 28.0x23.2x0.9cm, this fourth instalment in Walker's Science Storybook series merges narrative with educational content, making it perfect for home, classroom or early science settings. Jenkins's clear explanations and Tolson's vibrant art support children's understanding of biological processes, while fostering curiosity about nature. Over 200 expressive words steer children through branching concepts like habitat, change and growth, making it both scientifically accurate and emotionally resonant. Teachers will appreciate its suitability for group discussion, hands-on investigations and visual literacy.

Educational Benefits:

• Explains life-cycle stages (egg → caterpillar → chrysalis → butterfly) in simple language.
• Introduces concepts of growth, transformation and plant-animal interdependence.
• Encourages scientific vocabulary acquisition (e.g., metamorphosis, habitat, nourishment).
• Fosters observational skills and curiosity through rich illustrations and narrative cues.

Classroom Ideas:

• Set up a real bean plant and observe caterpillars or butterflies over time.
• Draw and label each life-cycle stage in students' science journals.
• Recreate the story sequence using puppets, drawings or felt-board scenes.
• Conduct a œplant and crawl experiment to explore the relationship between plant growth and caterpillar feeding.

Information:

• Ages: Suitable for children aged 5+¯years
• Dimensions: 28.0x23.2x0.9cm
• Paperback - printed with non-toxic inks
• Ideal for shared reading