❛ All my paintings are the outcome of quaint and beautiful things I have seen at tucking up time... It is then that I see deep into their little minds, and I am grateful for having the receptiveness of brain to retain the dainty secrets I have seen. Mabel Lucie Attwell, who died #OTD in 1964

Happy Halloween witches, warlocks and vampires! Here's some spookily good artwork by Janet Hill from Issue 34 of The Caterpillar. 🎃

We've got plenty of tricks and treats in our archives – like this spooky selection from Doug Cushman, from Issue 30. 👻 bit.ly/caterpillarbackissues

Quick! Before October is over for another year, we wondered if anyone has a favorite Autumn poem to celebrate the season? 🍂 Here's a classic from Robert Louis Stevenson, to kick things off...

As Halloween draws near, don't forget that sometimes monsters get lonely too. Just like in this poem by Myles McLeod, from Issue 23... 🐍💕 bit.ly/caterpillarbackissues

Swimming into the weekend – and all the adventures it will hold... 🐻‍❄ 'Dark Waters', from The Caterpillar Archives by Scottish artist Lucy Campbell #ArtistSpotlight

❛ Writing is to put love into the world. 'Harriet the Spy' author Louise Fitzhugh, born #OTD in 1928.

Hello October! Something brilliant and slightly spooky to welcome in the season, from Issue 17 of The Caterpillar – a fairytale collage by Kimberly Karr-Wlassak. 🌛 #ArtistSpotlight

'The Caterpillar is the sort of magazine I would have devoured as a young person’ – Liz Brownlee Hungry for funny poems, mind-blowing stories, and art that will make you want to pick up a pencil? Back issues from just €5, this way... 🐆 bit.ly/caterpillarbackissues

Long week? Us too. We think maybe we've all already Gone Bananas... Poem by Sophie Kirtley, originally from Issue 19. 🍌

❛A children's writer should, ideally, be a dedicated semi-lunatic, a kind of poet with a marvelous idea, who, preferably, when not committing the marvellous idea to paper, does something else of a quite different kind, so as to acquire new and rich experience. Joan Aiken, born #OTD in 1924.

A Sunday gift – beautiful art by the uber talented Hannah Lock. 'Gathering Flowers', from Issue 32. 💐 #ArtistSpotlight

In case you missed it – yesterday we announced Evie Wyld's winners of The Moth Short Story Prize 2025. Catch Clare Roche's first prize-winning story '(Un)Tethered' as part of The Irish Times' Summer Fiction series – in print and online: bit.ly/untetheredroche

❛ I thank you for / your point of view, / but I'll do me / and you do you. Some wise words to take us into the weekend - from our Spring 2021 issue. 🌈 bit.ly/caterpillarbackissues

Artist spotlight! We just LOVE this brilliantly gross piece by Freya Hartas, an illustrator based in the UK who specialises in #kidlit books. Originally from Issue 35...

❛ When people look at my work, they often say, “Your picture is so good. I can’t even draw a straight line.” I think everyone can learn to draw. The important thing is to keep trying, keep drawing. Illustrator Alice Provensen, born #OTD in 1918.

Ideal for young lovers of stories and art, and as aids for teachers to inspire, choc-a-bloc as they are with poetry, stories and stunning artwork... And now from just €20 for five issues, including postage! ✨️ bit.ly/caterpillarbackissues

❛ The sea's a salt blue dish. The sun's a golden peach. Here's some #MondayMotivation, even if you're very far from the sun and sand. Mary Green's gorgeous 'The Sea's a Salt Blue Dish', originally from Issue 21. Illustration by Fred Calleri.

❛It’s a mistake to think that a book for little children has to be like a glass of water so that every single element in it is accessible and clear and understood by a three-year-old. If they don’t understand something, they will ask. Goodbye to the great Allan Alhberg. #RIP

A summer poem for bright days and looooooong nights by Robert Louis Stevenson. What's your favourite summer poem to while away the sleepless hours? 🌇

We like to think we're the ideal holiday companion - perfect for small suitcases, glove compartments, and fold-down tray tables... Take us on your next adventure? 🌞 bit.ly/caterpillarbackissues

❛ A library is a good place to go when you feel unhappy... Books are good company, in sad times and happy times, for books are people - people who have managed to stay alive by hiding between the covers of a book. Charlotte's Web author E. B. White, born #OTD in 1899.

This beautiful painting by Canadian artist Claudia Tremblay originally appeared back in Issue 14 – but we still love it just as much now! #ArtistSpotlight 🦋

Ah, the weekend - the perfect time for some self-reflection... 'an essay on bad habits' by James Butler (Issue 30, art by Rachael & Phillippa Corcutt)

Art by award-winning children's author and illustrator Wolf Erlbruch, born #OTD in 1948. 🎈

In case you missed it... 🌱 Yesterday we announced Kate Wakeling's 2025 winner of The Caterpillar Prize. If you haven't checked it out yet, here's another chance to read Laura Theis's winning poem 'I complain to my friend who has been turned into a tree'.

This is a milestone dream-come-true - my poem 'I Complain To My Friend Who Has Been Turned Into A Tree' has won the Caterpillar Poetry Prize! 🌳 @thecaterpillarmag.bsky.social Writing for children is such a joy and something I'd love to do for the rest of my life 🤞 www.irishtimes.com/culture/book...

❛ There's a man-eating post box / at the end of my street... Even weekend errands can be fun, with the right poems! Like this one from Bernard Pearson, from The Caterpillar Archives. 📮

❛ I write books that seem more suitable for children, and that's OK with me. They are a better audience and tougher critics. Kids tell you what they think, not what they think they should think. Maurice Sendak, born #OTD in 1928.

❛ I'm not interested in creating a book that is read once and then placed on the shelf and forgotten. I am very happy when people have worn out my books, or that they're held together by Scotch tape. Richard Scarry, author and illustrator, born #OTD in 1919.

Hello June! 👋 Here's a poem from John Updike to welcome in a new month... Do you know a great poem about June? Or have you written one yourself? Share in the comments! #SharingSunday

From the archives, a little #ArtistSpotlight on Dutch artist Jantina Peperkamp, whose brilliant painting 'De kleine piloot (The Little Pilot)' appeared on the cover of Issue 12 in 2016.

❛ Writing is a miracle. You can travel anywhere in the world, to any time and any place – and still be home in time to have dinner. Children's author Mary Pope Osborne, born #OTD in 1949. Hello fellow travellers! 🗺️

A little poem for anyone experiencing Sunday scaries... Originally from Issue 37. 🌞bit.ly/caterpillarbackissues

❛ What we read and how we read as children is not trivial or 'childish'. It's these books that contribute to our patterns of thinking, dreaming, hoping, fearing, yearning for... Happy birthday to past Caterpillar Poetry Prize judge, the brilliant Michael Rosen! 🎈

Sundays are for keeping things simple – just the bear necessities... 🎨 Natalie Rukavishnikova (Issue 10)

❛ From beautiful and thought-provoking to quirky and fun, something for everyone! – Linda Middleton Stories, poems, and art to while away the hours with - perfect for bright young minds, but sure to be loved by anyone looking for an adventure... 🍄 bit.ly/caterpillarb...

❛Under the ground, deep in the earth among the roots of the trees, the little root children were fast asleep all winter long. What's your favourite poem or story about the changing seasons? 🎨 Sibylle von Olfers' beautiful illustration for 'The Story of the Root Children'

Lots of these around this weekend –– here's an egg-cellent poem by Jill Lambert from Issue 19. 🥚

Stop scrolling! Someone wants to say hello! Meet 'Mabel', courtesy of illustrator Elaine Macintyre, who featured in Issue 36. Other alternatives to scrolling this way... 💕 bit.ly/caterpillarb...

❛ If you don't see the book you want on the shelves, write it. American children's author Beverly Cleary, born #OTD in 1916.

Don't worry if today didn't go how you planned - there's always another chance tomorrow! Like in this very charming poem from @lisavperron.bsky.social (originally from Issue 33)... 🫧 bit.ly/caterpillarbundles

Don't forget to join us tomorrow at 6pm for our live Moth Poetry Prize awards ceremony - featuring readings from our shortlisted poets. Plus, be the first to find out who judge Fiona Benson has chosen as this year's overall winner.... 🎉 instagram.com/themothmagazine

❛ The very best kids' magazine I have ever read. — Jane Hinrichs Packed with sensational stories, question-provoking poems, and adventurous art, The Caterpillar is the perfect thing for looooooong evenings and even longer weekends. Grab a copy here! 🌈 bit.ly/caterpillarbackissues

And so the reading begins! A massive thank you and good luck to everyone who entered this year's Caterpillar Poetry Prize. All entrants will be notified of their result by 14 May 2025 - and the winner will be announced in June.

❛ Don’t forget the old adage that says the last poem you chuck in at the end of your submission is always the one that mystically rises to the surface... - Kate Wakeling, 2025 judge Final chance! Closing midnight (your time) 31 March. Go, go, go! ⏰ bit.ly/tcpp25

✨️ Only 5 days left to enter! ✨️ Over at @thecaterpillarmag.bsky.social, and with this year's judge and CLiPPA prize-winner Kate Wakeling, we're on the hunt for the very best poem written by an adult for children. And we want to hear from you! Closing 31 March. 🐛 bit.ly/tcpp25

Hello you! 👋 Have you entered The Caterpillar Poetry Prize yet? There's only one week to go... There's up to €1,000 and a trip to @circleofmisse up for grabs! Closing 31 March - don't miss your chance. 🚨 bit.ly/tcpp25 Art by Mary Scott (Issue 25)

It's #WorldPoetryDay and the countdown to the Caterpillar Poetry Prize deadline continues – 10 days left to enter! Here are some wise words from this year's judge, @WakelingKate. We want to hear from you, even if this will be your first poem ever... ✍️ bit.ly/tcpp25