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Illustrator and author of classic children’s books including The Very Hungry Caterpillar and Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?
Eric Carle, who has died aged 91, was best known as the author-illustrator of The Very Hungry Caterpillar, a deceptively simple 16-page picture book whose original production and story not only entranced very young children with the most arresting “Pop!” in literature but also provided entertainment and satisfaction for their parents.
Like many who have an exceptional success, Carle did not like to be acknowledged for the one title only. He was quick and sometimes testy in pointing out that he had created many other books, too – more than 70. But with its adaptability to different formats and the slew of merchandising that sees his character on everything from a pencil to a tea service, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, a “modern classic” that has sold more than 55m copies around the world, remains his biggest legacy. As Carle himself quite happily recalled in an interview, “So much from so little, as one of my friends once put it.” Continue reading...