Inch by Inch

In this classic book, a winsome, winning inchworm is proud of his ability to measure anything under the sun.

To keep from being eaten, an inchworm measures a robin's tail, a flamingo's neck, a toucan's beak, a heron's legs, and a nightingale's song.

In this classic book, a winsome, winning inchworm is proud of his ability to measure anything under the sun.

Children's Literature

This classic work, originally written by the award-winning author in 1960, has been reissued by the publisher in a large, beautiful edition. It is the timeless tale of an enterprising inchworm who finds himself under attack by a robin. Not wishing to become the bird's next entree, the inchworm protests that he serves a useful purpose since he can measure things. The robin then challenges him to measure his tail. The robin is so impressed with the inchworm's ability to measure that he takes the inchworm to show to his other feathered friends. The inchworm successfully calculates various parts of a flamingo, toucan, heron, pheasant, and hummingbird, but trouble ensues when a nightingale steps forth. "Measure my song," he says to the inchworm. The inchworm protests that it is impossible to do so, but when the nightingale insists, he devises a clever plan to outwit the bird. This story is one that never loses its charm. Children will particularly love playing "find the inchworm" in the large illustrations. A modern Aesop's fable, this edition of the Caldecott Honor Book should be in the home of every child. Reviewer: Leona Illig

Leo Lionni, a renowned designer, illustrator, and creator of children’s books, was the recipient of the 1984 American Institute of Graphic Arts Gold Medal and was honored posthumously in 2007 with the Society of Illustrators Lifetime Achievement Award. His picture books include four Caldecott Honor Books: Inch by Inch, Frederick, Swimmy, and Alexander and the Wind-Up Mouse. Hailed as “a master of the simple fable” by the Chicago Tribune, he died in 1999 at the age of 89.