Giant caterpillar finds home at Avon Kindergarten

Avon Kindergarten children Rex Rooney, Matheus Hamill, Harmony Leigh, Oscar Trenary and Beauden Dudley think the caterpillar is pretty comfortable.

A generous act has led to a "ginormous" caterpillar living in the reading corner at Avon Kindergarten.

Modelled off the main character in the Eric Carle book The Very Hungry Caterpillar, the stuffed insect was made by the Stratford Creative Fibre group and the Creative Fibre Yarn Weavers.

Creative Fibre Yarn Weavers leader Maree Liddington says the caterpillar was a joint project between the two groups for the Fabulous Fibre Exhibition which was held over winter at The Village Gallery in Eltham.

Oscar Trenary has a rest on the Very Hungry Caterpillar.

The caterpillar was displayed in the gallery window during the exhibition and caught somebody's eye. The buyer asked for it to be gifted to a worthwhile cause.

Maree says the person was from out of Taranaki and paid $200 for the caterpillar, which went back to the groups who made it. Maree says it was decided among members that the kindergarten would be a perfect place for the caterpillar.

She says making the insect was a lengthy process, which started off with members each knitting or weaving one metre of material. After creating their pieces, everybody got back together to sew the pieces together.

The stuffing from multiple duvets and pillows was used to fatten him up and his feet were made out of little stuffed socks.

"We were happy with it. "Although it was a lot of work, it was also a lot of fun to make - we all enjoyed it."

She says the groups' members were happy the caterpillar had such a loving home and was being enjoyed by the children.

Avon Kindergarten Head Teacher Avis Laursen says the kindergarten was grateful for the donation.

"The children love it - they sit on it and read on it and really enjoy it.

"It's a lovely caterpillar."