I have just returned from a short trip to western Massachusetts. It was a very full and busy few days. I was happy to be in my old studio again, to see all my books and papers stored there. I even made a few small pieces of abstract art, in between the excitement of scheduled events.
I attended the beautiful wedding of the daughter of dear friends, which was held at The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art. Here I am with the bride and groom and a young friend.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtHhf7ZBhgamPvfTJZ1NV0mZrlu0jdt8aH4O_FyZn2hyphenhypheniJ83th5IRpJr7LzB8zt0VggkVdW2jFAcwlaQyIYb1apEoTyvC-Tu4DqVX1MUsXi0owANC7d7vNnoK8dOXKHrnzK7sUPWJN_q8/s320/wedding.jpg)
The next day, I went back to the Museum for the book signing, which was attended by more than 500 visitors and museum members some of whom traveled quite a distance to be there. It was great to be at the Museum again (I am impressed by the main hall every time I walk inside), to see old and new friends and to be welcomed by such a kind and patient crowd.
Here I am signing books:
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho6_xeQD7E88eE93aB0TGDe4q71LInNiXj1WRsCrWL1R3FgtPXQPZnCSqvhtnkgY0VCRyJEDMDeTZ-YSoh8r3fJJygxeKYfr1dHfH5oXJMMgXXUeMR-eXV2kxyY733c6a30ygase44eFU/s280/EC+signing+09.08.23.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhViF87lSDNNB627WIPPx2PPZena6ePo53dQfMmfOyC0OUROxD_ArC4c669nyw-yeRQjntkuiehFoxHeAD1N0LeimyYRw9uUaVL_UTyL6sFy8YPpQhhcvIOqqe963TO70oYf6PR4SuvZSs/s280/signing.jpg)
And here I am after the signing with Stacy Gabrielle from Crayola, and Alix Kennedy, Director of The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art. I was very honored to receive a giant Crayola crayon in my new favorite color: "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" green. The only other special crayon color of this kind that Crayola has created was for Oprah! And it was the color purple!
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQUQyx9Q-2xzMw-ZuRsFG5PO0PDfkAHwbFoP98YqX_Agp6YthyphenhyphenZpZCdoDqOHecc3V2dTjHWMB6eupiespMOp1e8P48KSSqUQbcxbR-xSo4u2YLuzQ7RidyR2jG1sGCtaklL1S_v_Lhi54/s280/crayon.jpg)
And this is me in The Very Hungry Caterpillar seat that was sent to the Museum by my German publisher Gerstenberg Verlag:
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMy97YTb_VkWhzLIdxT87MBqLwHjRT3qxTWDH0Fr_F5p3bv8hXlSnreYEefHLhyphenhyphenFyHTOmOZAlob4i1q0N7cvTHNt_7qISHtkiVr1S8AJtX7wIelVZ57ra0JtmWIAama7pG5xcpmbblKGs/s280/VHC.jpg)
It was a very memorable time, truly a pleasure, and I am glad to be home again with Bobbie surrounded by the hills of North Carolina.
Eric Carle