I only discovered the world of Eric Carle a few years ago. But since Aleksander was born, these books have become some of my favorites. At my baby shower, Anika gave me a German version of The Very Hungry Caterpillar (Die kleine Raupe Nimmersatt). I can now recite the whole thing by heart 
I’m not sure I can say that about the English version!
For Aleksander’s 2nd birthday, we did a Hungry Caterpillar theme. It was really fun putting all the details together I was especially pleased with the caterpillar cupcake-cake:
The day of his party, he even said one of his first German words: Raupe (caterpillar)! He liked the decorations so much, we left most of them up in our basement. You could say we have quite a thing for all things Caterpillar here, especially in German….
Last summer, I got a DVD of die kleine Raupe story plus four more … all in German! Although he didn’t show much interest in it at first, Aleksander has fallen in love with this DVD just as much as I have. We watch it regularly. Each story is illustrated with animated drawings from the Eric Carle books. The images are beautiful and vibrant.
The stories on the DVD are:
- Die kleine Raupe Nimmersatt
- Papa, bitte hol für mich den Mond vom Himmel
- Die kleine Grille singt ihr Lied
- Chamäleon Kunterbunt
- Ich male ein Lied
Although it isn’t listed on their website, the DVD is available through Alphabet Garten. You’d have to contact them, and they can get it in 3 weeks for about $25. It’s also available from amazon.de if that’s an option for you.
And did you know that there is a song in German about die kleine Raupe? (Nothing in English, though!) It’s called “Das Lied von der Raupe Nimmersatt” by Stephen Janetzko. You can dowload it from iTunes or amazon.com. I have to admit, it kind of annoyed me at first, but it has really grown on me! I sing the chorus to Aleksander whenever we see any caterpillar
I also know of an older recording by Ludger Edelkötter. It’s referred to as a Singspiel. And there is a song called “Der Schmetterling erinnert sich.” So far, I’ve only been able to find it used on amazon.de. A friend loaned me her old cassette from 1990. It’s a really cute rendition of the story set to music. Too bad it isn’t more readily available.
Finally, I’ve found a couple of audio books on CD that are available from amazon.de. When we went to Europe in December, I ordered two of them from amazon.de to be sent to my in-laws before we arrived.
The first is by Rolf Nagel (Jumbo Neue Medien & Verlag Gmbh, 2008). He offers wonderful renditions of:
- Die kleine Raupe
- Gute Reise, bunter Hahn
- Die kleine Grille singt ihr Lied
- Das kleine Glühwürmchen
- Die Affenmutter liebt ihr Kind
- Die kleine Spinne spinnt und schweigt
There is also a song called Das Geburtstagslied with music by Ulrich Maske.
Aleksander has really enjoyed listening to die kleine Raupe. It’s the story he knows best. I was surprised he was willing to sit and listen to the story without any pictures, but he does!
The second audio CD was a bit of a mistake. You see, it isn’t in Hochdeutsch (standard German), it’s in Sächsisch! Oops! It’s actually called De Glene Raupe Nimmersatt. I don’t know how that fact escaped me as I was ordering. Another lesson in why I shouldn’t do these things at night when I’m tired! Well, if you’re interested in German dialect, this audio CD is by Uwe Steimle (Jumbo Neue Medien & Verlag Gmbh, 2009).
So far those are all the German versions I’ve been able to find of the story. If you know of any others, let me know!
(No, I’m not getting compensation for advertising!)
Eric Carle is amazing!
I think I am gonna pee my pants. You ordered Sächsisch???? Hahahahaha. Oh god. Since I live in Sachsen that is just hilarious to me
!!! Hahahahaha. I should get that for my Au Pair and make her spot the difference 
!
Hahahaha!! That is too funny
I haven’t actually listened to it yet. I wonder how much I would understand!? 
I love The Very Hungry Caterpillar and have just discovered The Silent Grasshopper, which is great too! I didn´t know there was so much stuff related to it in German. Love the Hungry Caterpillar cupcake cake too BTW! X
Oh, there are so many wonderful books by Eric Carle! We also like the Quiet Cricket, the Mixed-Up Chameleon, Papa Fetch Me the Moom, Brown Bear What Do You See, Tier-ABC (I’m only finding this in German, French, & Dutch). They seem to have a lot of his books in Spanish translation, too, though! And there are a couple of great websites:
It was fun to make! I actually used sanding sugar instead of colored frosting. I was afraid of green tongues! But the sanding sugar made them a little crunchy!! Oh well, everyone enjoyed them!
http://www.eric-carle.com/home.html – this is his home page
http://www.carlemuseum.org/ – this is the museum page that also has a great online gift shop
Glad you liked the cake, too
Oh wow, this is fab. I had no idea there was a German song. This has been translated into Japanese as well, and was the first book I read by myself. I have only the English version memorized though, as that is what my kids ask for and it got stuck in my head at about the 50th time!
Did you read it in Japanese?? Apparently, it’s been translated into over 50 languages! Amazing! And so easy to get stuck in your head
Thanks for stopping by!!
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