Success criteria for a retail event are clearly not the same as those for a normal birthday celebration, but if you judge our recent Very Hungry Caterpillar Party on the basis of having fun, eating cake and making things then we had such a blast on Tuesday! Twenty four caterpillar fans and two rather over excited booksellers.
From rather small beginnings, our own hungry caterpillar grew and grew and has now taken pride of place in the shop window. Everyone who came brought a paper plate which they had decorated with a green design to make the body of a great big caterpillar.
We had a story - and there really could only be one, but a very beautiful pop up version of the classic.
And then we made threaded pasta caterpillars and some rather fetching bookmarks.
If you want to make your own, here's how. We used some light cardstock, washable stamp pads and a single hole punch for those all important nibbled holes. Child's play (quite literally).
And the highlight of any party, the cake. Baked by Alison (maker of all the delicious cakes we serve in our courtyard garden), who truly outdid herself with a yummy cupcake caterpillar. Inspired by this one.
And the only element we couldn't organize in advance, the weather, turned out to be the most perfect we could have hoped for. A sunny spring afternoon. Happy days.
Oh Ali, this looks like such a wonderful event, well done to you and your colleagues. That has always been one of my favourite books and thankfully my children loved it with me, we used to spend whole afternoons acting it out!
Posted by: Rebecca | 23 April 2009 at 19:57
It all sounds fabulous! I wish I could have been there too! Lucy x
Posted by: Lucy Locket-Pocket | 23 April 2009 at 20:24
What a fitting anniversary tribute x
Posted by: The Antidote | 23 April 2009 at 20:33
Glad the weather smiled on you guys. That's a cute party theme. I know this is totally out there but how cool would it have been to give out take home gift bags that had those little butterfly cocoons in them or better yet a box that when they open a real buttyfly comes out. :)
Posted by: Gina | 23 April 2009 at 21:06
This looks like so much fun and is full of great ideas for people interested in a Carle birthday party as well! I love it, I'll be linking.
Posted by: Rachel | 23 April 2009 at 21:18
It looks perfect, Ali!!! Thank you so much for sharing this special event with us. Those kids will remember that forever, you know...
Posted by: misschris | 23 April 2009 at 21:26
what a lovely event... the hungry caterpillar is such a great book. love the bookmarks... inspired!
Posted by: ginny | 23 April 2009 at 21:28
That looks like so much fun! I love the bookmarks!
April xx
Posted by: April | 23 April 2009 at 21:36
I could have done with all these fabulous ideas two years ago with my "Hungry" obsessed son wanted such a birthday party! Wonderful!
Posted by: lina | 23 April 2009 at 21:39
that looks absolutely fabulous! and you got the weather! the bookmarks are such a lovely idea...and the cake!
what a hoot!
Posted by: bigbucketgirl | 23 April 2009 at 21:53
What a great party! My kids love the Hungry Little Caterpillar and I think we will be trying out your wonderful bookmarks!
Posted by: soo | 23 April 2009 at 22:15
oh hooray! what a wonderful way to celebrate the hungry little caterpillar!
Posted by: painted fish studio | 24 April 2009 at 03:38
Well done. Wish I could have come along for that one, my kids would have loved it. Love the bookmarks
Posted by: Thimbleina | 24 April 2009 at 07:13
It looks like a great event - the thumb mark bookmarks are great! I also have to see that pop up version of the book. There was Hungry Caterpillar stuff all over Japan so I managed to get a little bento box for my friend's little boy! Too cute!
Posted by: Di | 24 April 2009 at 08:06
I love those bookmarks - and the cakes, of course... I must go explore that cupcake website a little more...
Posted by: The Coffee Lady | 24 April 2009 at 09:19
Looks like a great party! Every year we do the hungry caterpillar with our kids at work...I'm thinking I might borrow a few ideas! thanks :o)
Posted by: Jane Weston | 24 April 2009 at 12:29
I love it! I especially love the cakes - oh, and the big plate caterpillar - oh, all of it!
Posted by: dottycookie | 24 April 2009 at 13:49
So glad it all went well - and the weather was good for you, what a bonus!!
Can just imagine that lovely, big caterpillar in the window - I bet it looks wonderful.
Would Mark etc like to open another shop in Gloucester or Cheltenham so I could work there, please?
Posted by: Karen J | 24 April 2009 at 13:50
That looks great! I might have to borrow some of those ideas for my daughter's birthday party...
Posted by: Alexis | 24 April 2009 at 14:54
What a cute idea! My four year old grandson loves this book -- his favorite. This would be great for his birthday party coming up in July. Thanks for sharing it.
Posted by: Georganna | 24 April 2009 at 15:15
What a great party theme. I remember reading that book to my children and they thoroughly enjoyed it. All the party details fit so well and enhance the story. Great job!
Posted by: Junie Moon | 24 April 2009 at 16:23
Pleased to see the weather was kind to you all.
Looks like great fun was had, love the cake!
Lisa
Posted by: Lisa | 24 April 2009 at 17:24
well done you!!
wish we could have crawled over...
Posted by: monica | 24 April 2009 at 17:49
It looks and sounds like a perfect afternoon of caterpillar fun. I know I still have that book somewhere - couldn't bear to part with it! x
Posted by: Kitty | 24 April 2009 at 19:36
Oh how wonderful! What an amazing job you did. I wish I could have been there, too! K x
Posted by: kristina | 25 April 2009 at 12:01
What a happy day it must have been - well worth all the planning. The bookshop must be a great place to visit.
Posted by: Louise | 25 April 2009 at 15:24
I love those bookmarks. I'm going to have to do that with my kids this summer.
Posted by: Liz | 25 April 2009 at 19:07
We're doing the hungry caterpillar in school next week - great ideas with the plates, I'll be pinching that idea!
Posted by: Michaela | 25 April 2009 at 21:43
Look at that little girl in the front row -she is entranced!
Posted by: Alice C | 25 April 2009 at 22:42
what a lovely day! your party sounds like such fun, now which of my children would like such a party the most so we can do it too??!!
Posted by: hannah | 25 April 2009 at 23:00
That looked like so much fun. I would have loved to have been there!
Posted by: Gina | 27 April 2009 at 20:02
Oh Oh I love this.... so super cool
Posted by: suzie sews | 06 May 2009 at 18:11
I love the paper plate caterpillar and the bookmarks are adorable!! I know what my daughters and I will be making in the craft room next week :)
Posted by: Pink and Green mama | 25 June 2009 at 15:02