The Very Creative Children’s Book Author: A Conversation with Eric Carle

By Cathy Elcik

Mention Eric Carle and most people think his career as one of the most recognizable children’s-book illustrators all started with one very hungry caterpillar. But Carle didn’t hit the children’s illustration scene until educator and author Bill Martin Jr. noticed a very red lobster that Carle had created for an advertisement during his tenure as a graphic designer.

Martin engaged the illustrator for his 1967 classic, Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? Carle then went on to publish 1,2,3 to the Zoo in 1968 before leaving his indelible mark on children’s literature with The Very Hungry Caterpillar in 1969.

From this start, Carle moved on to a career that has included more than 75 picture books and that last year expanded to include co-founding the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art in Amherst, Mass., the first full-size museum in the United States devoted to picture book art.

Now, 36 years after his first book, Carle has collaborated with Bill Martin Jr. again in his 2003 release, Panda Bear, Panda Bear, What Do You See? Though Carle doesn’t like to talk about works-in-progress, he will say that he has no intention to stop producing books for children.

“I am currently working on new projects and I have no plans to retire from making books,” he says. “Although one child wrote me and said, ‘Our teacher makes us read all of your books. Could you retire soon?’”

We recently had a chance to ask the famed author and artist about his illustrious career. Here are a few highlights from the conversation:

Can you share a few anecdotes about fans you’ve met, either in person or through letters?

Carle: Receiving letters from children, as well as adults (teachers, librarians, students, parents, etc.), is certainly an enjoyable part of my work. A child in Texas once wrote to me: “I would like to visit you, but I’m not allowed to cross the street.” Another child wrote: “Your book The Very Hungry Caterpillar is like a little poem.” Another wrote: “You and I are alike. You love color and I love color.”