You know it's a classic children's book when you have it memorized. When I just recently dusted off my 8 year old son's copy of The Very Hungry Caterpillar and began reading it to my five month old daughter (because it's never too early to read to kids!), I felt a rush of happiness as she cooed and tried to grab the hard cardboard pages. It's been years since I read these classics to my son, and now I'll be able to pour through them all her. For me, cuddling up with a child and a good book are one of the simple yet wonderful pleasures of life.

See The Very Hungry Caterpillar and Other Eric Carle Favorites live at the Field Museum, interpreted by the Chicago Children's Theater, for a limited engagement, April 6 - May 2. What a wonderful chance to tie in a museum visit with a great play, together with your favorite tot. The 10 am performance may work best for the smaller set.

Afterwards, enjoy lunch at the in-musuem Corner Bakery, overlooking Sue, and then visit some of the kid-friendlier sights. Don't miss the Crown Family Play Lab, where budding archeaologists can dig up dinosaur bones and tiny anthropologists can grind corn as they learn about life in a pueblo.

For more information, visit the Chicago Children's Theater's Web site and the Field Museum.

Amy Bizzarri is a mom of two living in Logan Square. She also blogs at tiramisumom.com.

See more of Amy's stories here.

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