Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Birthday to The Carle

This week, The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art turns 8 years old. But the seed or idea for the museum was planted when Bobbie and I traveled to Japan many years ago. We were inspired by our visit to this beautiful country and in particular by the Chihiro Art Museum, where the work of children's book artist Iwasaki Chihiro resides.

Now, all these years later, we are amazed to be marking The Carle's 8th birthday. From a tiny seed, so much has grown. There are many people who have supported The Carle since its early days and people who make it all happen day in and day out, the museum's wonderful directors and staff. To all of you, we are very grateful and very proud.

Society of Illustrators

I was very honored to receive a 2010 Lifetime Achievement Award from the Society of Illustrators, an award that was also given this year to Alice and Martin Provensen. Alice was a recipient of a Carle Honors Award in 2009. I was delighted to attend the ceremony in New York last week and to see the 30th Annual Exhibition of Original Illustration. And to have a chance to meet some of the award winners at the event.


My editors Ann Beneduce and Pat Gauch were there with me, which made the night even more special.


Here is Anelle Miller, director of the Society of Illustrators introducing me. I hope you will enjoy these photos!

Carle Honors 2010

Last month, the 5th Annual Carle Honors, the Gala for The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, was held in an inspiring space built underneath the bridge on East 59th Street in New York City. It was an elegant evening, attended by many dear friends and colleagues.


I was delighted to greet the honorees and celebrate with them. This year the Museum recognized the sculptor Nancy Schön (in the photo with me above) who created the well-known bronze Make Way for Ducklings sculptures in Boston, author and illustrator David Macaulay creator of The Way Things Work, the collectors Allan and Kendra Daniel who have been great supporters and contributors to the Museum and Stephen Mooser and Lin Oliver cofounders of the Society for Children's Book Writers & Illustrators.


It was a wonderful evening and I was very grateful to all the artists who contributed their beautiful work for the auction.
I hope you will enjoy the photos I've included from the Carle Honors in the gorgeous Guastavino's space under the bridge.

The caterpillar's tomato

The season's last tomato that I grew here in North Carolina.
I sacrificed this one for the caterpillar who seemed so happy to have it. Does anyone know what kind of caterpillar this is?

A Day in My Life

Dear Friends,
Here is a glimpse of a recent day at home in North Carolina. I spent my morning in the kitchen. My ingredients list included: eggs, flour, butter, milk and oranges (I like to make fresh squeezed juice).


Here I am settling down to enjoy my breakfast!


Later I worked in my studio where my ingredients list included: paintbrushes, tubes of colorful paint, papers and pencils



The sun was out and the room was bright.
Sweet fruit juice, a plate of pancakes and time to work.
No complaints.

My Books and All Kinds of Learners

Many teachers who work with children who are autistic or children who have learning disabilities write to me and tell me that my books are helpful in their classrooms. I’m not an expert in the field of education but I am very pleased that I do reach all kinds of learners.

I started school in the US and had a wonderful experience. But when my family moved back to Germany it was a different story. There was a strict, mean teacher and I began to hate school and hating school prevented me from learning. Back then it wasn’t recognized whether you were learning disabled but I’m sure I was.

I try in each of my books to include learning and entertainment and I aim to let readers into my world, my life experiences. The learning part I always camouflauge. It’s just one aspect; one dimension of the book.

I feel strongly that each child is an individual; each child is different. I don’t even like to use the word children. I prefer to say, a child and a child and a child. I think I make my books for a child, and that child is me, the child in me.