The Very Hungry Caterpillar celebrates its 50th birthday this year, and KidKraft partnered with the World of Eric Carle for a colorful new collection. Debuting at Toy Fair New York, the KidKraft World of Eric Carle collection is inspired by the colors and themes of The Very Hungry Caterpillar, worked into new products including reading nooks, activity tables, and toys. The Toy Book has a first look at the new collection ahead of its showing at the Javits Center.
World of Eric Carle Caterpillar Corner | Ages 3 and up
Kids can lean back while reading, coloring, or playing with their devices on this slanted bench. A pouch for storing books hangs at the end of the bench, while the space behind two sliding doors underneath can house more books, toys, stuffed animals, or blankets. An open area keeps extra items on display. The fabric cushion reverses from pattern to solid, and the doors are reversible, too.
World of Eric Carle Roly Poly Shape Sorter | Ages 9 months and up
Ten differently shaped wooden blocks feature a number on one side and symbols for counting on the other, to introduce number recognition and counting. The cylindrical base has cutouts all around, so toddlers can fit the shapes through like puzzle pieces. Bungee cord barriers make it easy for kids to squeeze the pieces back out. The whole toy rolls for extra fun movement and to encourage crawling. Plus, it makes a rattle sound.
World of Eric Carle Wobble & Wiggle Bead Maze | Ages 9 months and up
This apple-shaped toy is on a wobbly base for surprising motion when babies touch it. Babies can follow the caterpillar’s journey through metamorphosis—eating his way through fruits and vegetables, making a cocoon, and eventually transforming into a butterfly—by sliding the shaped wooden beads along three separate tracks. Each bead represents a segment of the caterpillar. Tactile feet and antenna invite little hands to feel and discover.
World of Eric Carle Very Busy Activity Cube | Ages 9 months and up
With five sides for kids to explore, this toy keeps the senses engaged. The sides feature turnable gears and lift-up flaps adorned with graphic geometric patterns, the alphabet represented by square wooden blocks that show the letter and an animal that starts with that letter, and sliding discs and traceable knobs to foster coordination skills. The top features a rollercoaster bead maze, weaving in and out through a colorful display.
World of Eric Carle Very Hungry Activity Station | Ages 2-5
This beginner’s train set table includes train cars, puzzle pieces, and beads. Kids can follow the caterpillar on his journey from cocoon to butterfly, turn the disc on the tree stump to represent day or night, connect the train cars with easy-grasp magnets, load the cargo cars with picnic food from the shape sorter puzzle, and insert puzzle pieces into slots on the front to promote shape recognition. The fruit wooden beads slide between the two trees, while a butterfly train car with fabric wings completes the transformation below. Everything can be tidied up quickly, thanks to the included fabric storage bag.
KidKraft will exhibit in the Level 4 meeting rooms at Toy Fair New York. The World of Eric Carle The Very Hungry Caterpillar collection will be available at retail this summer.
