Eric Carle ​

Eric Carle was an American designer, illustrator, and writer of children's books. He is best known for The Very Hungry Caterpillar, a picture book that has been translated into more than 66 languages and sold more than 50 million copies, making it one of the best-selling children's books of all time.

Quick Facts ​

• Wrote and illustrated more than seventy books.
• His works have been translated into 66 languages.
• Best known for creating The Very Hungry Caterpillar, which has been translated into 62 languages and sold more than 50 million copies.
• His career as an illustrator and children's book author took off after he collaborated on Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?
• Received numerous awards for his work, including the Laura Ingalls Wilder Award for his lifelong contribution to children's literature.
• His works have been sold more than 145 million copies.

Background ​

Carle was born in 1929 in Syracuse, New York, to German immigrant parents. His mother encouraged his love for art from a young age. He lived in Germany during World War II and learned about graphic design and typography during high school in Stuttgart. After coming back to America, he began working as a graphic designer for The New York Times, but he truly found his passion when he illustrated his first children's book, "Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?" in 1967. However, it was "The Very Hungry Caterpillar," published in 1969, that catapulted his career and became a beloved classic worldwide. He continued to write and illustrate numerous award-winning children's books until his passing in 2021.

Writing Style and Impact ​

Eric Carle’s writing style is simple yet imaginative, and his innovative illustrations are a significant aspect of his work. His stories often involve animals and nature, aiming to foster children’s understanding and appreciation of the world around them. His work has played a crucial role in children's literature, translating complex concepts into a language that young minds can easily understand and relate to. His most noted book, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, has been praised globally for its intuitive teaching of numbers, days of the week, healthy eating, and metamorphosis.

Notable Works ​

• The Very Hungry Caterpillar (1969)
• The Grouchy Ladybug (1977)
• The Very Busy Spider (1984)
• Papa, Please Get the Moon for Me (1986)
• The Very Quiet Cricket (1990)
• From Head to Toe (1997)
• The Very Clumsy Click Beetle (1999)