Eric Carle author page

Eric Carle biography

Eric Carle (1929–2021) was an American author and illustrator renowned for his distinctive picture books for young children. Born on 25 June 1929 in Syracuse, New York, he moved to Germany with his family at the age of six. Carle studied at the State Academy of Fine Arts in Stuttgart, graduating in 1950.

In 1952, Carle returned to the United States with a portfolio and $40. He began working as a graphic designer for The New York Times and later served as an art director at an advertising agency. His illustration career commenced when author Bill Martin Jr. invited him to illustrate Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? (1967), a collaboration that became a classic in children’s literature.

Carle’s first self-authored book, 1, 2, 3 to the Zoo, was published in 1968. The following year, he released The Very Hungry Caterpillar, which has sold over 50 million copies and been translated into more than 60 languages. Carle’s unique collage technique, using hand-painted papers, became a hallmark of his work, often incorporating interactive elements like die-cut pages and sound effects.

Over his career, Carle wrote and illustrated more than 70 books, including The Grouchy Ladybug, The Very Busy Spider, and The Very Quiet Cricket. His contributions to children’s literature earned him numerous accolades, such as the Laura Ingalls Wilder Award (now the Children’s Literature Legacy Award) in 2003, the Regina Medal, and the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Society of Illustrators.

In 2002, Carle and his wife, Barbara, founded The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art in Amherst, Massachusetts, dedicated to the appreciation of picture book illustrations. Eric Carle passed away on 23 May 2021 at the age of 91.

Eric Carle

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