Eric Carle (1929 ~ )
Eric Carle is acclaimed and beloved as the creator of brilliantly illustrated and innovatively designed picture books for very young children.
His best-known work, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, has eaten its way into the hearts of literally millions of children all over the world and has been translated into more than 47 languages and sold over 29 million copies.
Eric Carle’s Biography
Born in Syracuse, New York, in 1929
Eric Carle moved with his parents to Germany when he was six years old; he was educated there
So, in 1952, with a fine portfolio in hand and forty dollars in his pocket, he arrived in New York.
Soon he found a job as a graphic designer in the promotion department of The New York Times.
Later, he was the art director of an advertising agency for many years.
One day, respected educator and author, Bill Martin Jr, called to ask Carle to illustrate a story he had written.
Martin’s eye had been caught by a striking picture of a red lobster that Carle had created for an advertisement.
Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? was the result of their collaboration. It is still a favorite with children everywhere.
This was the beginning of Eric Carle’s true career.
Soon Carle was writing his own stories, too.
His first wholly original book was 1,2,3 to the Zoo, followed soon afterward by the celebrated classic, The Very Hungry Caterpillar.
Eric Carle’s Art
- distinctive and instantly recognizable.
- collage technique, using hand-painted papers, which he cuts and layers to form bright and cheerful images.
- a toy that can be read, a book that can be touched.
Eric Carle says…
“With many of my books I attempt to bridge the gap between the home and school. To me home represents, or should represent; warmth, security, toys, holding hands, being held. School is a strange and new place for a child. Will it be a happy place? There are new people, a teacher, classmates—will they be friendly?
Eric Carle’s Awards List
- Kurt Vonnegut Jr. Literature Award presented by the Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library, 2008
- The NEA Foundation Award for Outstanding Service to Public Education, 2007
- John P. McGovern Award in Behavioral Sciences, Smithsonian Institution, 2006
- Laura Ingalls Wilder Award from the Association for Library Service to Children, American Library Association, 2003
- Japan Picture Book Award, Presented by Mainichi Newspaper for Lifetime Achievement, 2000
- Regina Medal, Catholic Library Association, 1999
- Silver Medal from the City of Milano, Italy, 1989
The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art
http://www.picturebookart.org/
