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 25 languages
and sold over twelve million copies. Since theCaterpillarwas
published in 1969, Eric Carle has illustrated more than sixty
books, many best sellers, most of which he also wrote.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, and
graduated from the prestigious art school, the Akademie der
bildenden Kunste, in Stuttgart. But his dream was always to return
to America, the land of his happiest childhood memories. 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 ofThe 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 was1,2,3 to the Zoo, followed soon afterward
by the celebrated classic,The Very Hungry Caterpillar.
Eric Carle's art is distinctive and instantly recognizable. His art
work is created in collage technique, using hand-painted papers,
which he cuts and layers to form bright and cheerful images. Many
of his books have an added dimension - die-cut pages, twinkling
lights as inThe Very Lonely Firefly, even the lifelike sound of a
cricket's song as inThe Very Quiet Cricket- giving them a playful
quality- a toy that can be read, a book that can be touched.
Children also enjoy working in collage and many send him pictures
they have made themselves, inspired by his illustrations. He
receives hundreds of letters each week from his young admirers. The
secret of Eric Carle's books' appeal lies in his intuitive
understanding of and respect for children, who sense in him
instinctively someone who shares their most cherished thoughts and
emotions.
The themes of his stories are usually drawn from his extensive
knowledge and love of nature - an interest shared by most small
children. Besides being beautiful and entertaining, his books
always offer the child the opportunity to learn something about the
world around them. It is his concern for children, for their
feelings and their inquisitiveness, for their creativity and their
intellectual growth that, in addition to his beautiful artwork,
makes the reading of his books such a stimulating and lasting
experience.
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? I believe the passage from home to school is the second
biggest trauma of childhood; the first is, of course, being born.
Indeed, in both cases we leave a place of warmth and protection for
one that is unknown. The unknown often brings fear with it. In my
books I try to counteract this fear, to replace it with a positive
message. I believe that children are naturally creative and eager
to learn. I want to show them that learning is really both
fascinating and fun."
Eric Carle has two grown-up children, a son and a daughter. With
his wife Barbara, he lives in Northampton, Massachusetts. The
Carles spend their summers in the nearby Berkshire hills.
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,aThe 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 25 languages and sold over twelve million copies. Since theaCaterpillarawas published in 1969, Eric Carle has illustrated more than sixty books, many best sellers, most of which he also wrote.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, and graduated from the prestigious art school, the Akademie der bildenden Kunste, in Stuttgart. But his dream was always to return to America, the land of his happiest childhood memories. 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 ofaThe 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.aBrown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?awas 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 wasa1,2,3 to the Zoo, followed soon afterward by the celebrated classic,aThe Very Hungry Caterpillar. Eric Carle's art is distinctive and instantly recognizable. His art work is
A TIME Magazine Top 10 Children's Book of 2015!
* "Carle creates fun and laughter in this homage to the
surrealist artist René Magritte. [P]erfect for storytimes and
silly times all round. Carle hits it out of the nonsense
park!"–Booklist, starred review
* "A sure hit as a read-aloud and a definite purchase for picture
book collections."–School Library Journal, starred review
* "A picture book made to incite pleasure and joy."–Kirkus Reviews,
starred review
* "[The Nonsense Show], with its cleanly designed white pages,
makes the unexpected elements of the imagery stand out and prompts
questions and wonder."–Horn Book, starred review
A TIME Magazine Top 10 Children's Book of 2015! * "Carle creates fun and laughter in this homage to the surrealist artist Ren Magritte. [P]erfect for storytimes and silly times all round. Carle hits it out of the nonsense park!"-Booklist, starred review * "A sure hit as a read-aloud and a definite purchase for picture book collections."-School Library Journal, starred review * "A picture book made to incite pleasure and joy."-Kirkus Reviews, starred review * "[The Nonsense Show], with its cleanly designed white pages, makes the unexpected elements of the imagery stand out and prompts questions and wonder."-Horn Book, starred review
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