Eric Carle, best known for the beloved children’s book The Very Hungry Caterpillar, has died at the age of 91.
His team released a statement to his Twitter account, announcing “with heavy hearts” that Carle had passed away on May 23. They added: “Thank you for sharing your talent with generations of young readers.”
Carle’s most famous work, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, was published in 1969. It has sold more than 50 million copies and been translated into 62 languages.
Carle has written and illustrated over 40 children’s books alongside the caterpillar classic. We took a look through his back catalogue and found some less well known gems for both children and adults alike.
Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? (1967)
Carle’s first published work details a lumbering bear and his many vibrantly illustrated friends. The singsong rhythmic text makes it very easy for young children to engage and consider questions and answers – and maybe even spot their new favourite animal, such as a purple cat.
All in a Day (1986)
This is a collaborative effort of ten internationally acclaimed artists, including Carle, collected by Mitsumasa Anno. It captures the events in the lives of nine children on New Year’s Day in various countries all over the world, highlighting time, climate, environmental and social differences. Each tale emphasises the commonality of humankind and how children can be different but still mutually understand one another. Children can begin to understand and appreciate cultural differences through the creative artwork woven throughout the book.
