Eric Carle: Picture Writer

I am delighted to share that a new film has been made about my work called Eric Carle: Picture Writer The Art of the Picture Book. And that the New England Film Festival Premiere for this film will take place on Saturday, July 28th 2012 at the Woods Hole Film Festival!

Here is a short trailer you might like to watch.

Ezra Jack Keats

It is a delight and an honor to have the work of Ezra Jack Keats on exhibit at The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art. In the mid-1960's, when I was just getting started as an illustrator of books for children, a friend of mine offered to introduce me to Ezra Keats, a Caldecott Medal Winner. The truth was, I did not know what the Caldecott Medal was or meant at that early stage of my career.

Soon afterward, I was fortunate to have lunch with the very kind and warm Ezra Jack Keats. After lunch, Ezra invited me to his studio where he showed me how he created his beautiful marbled papers. We talked about the business of publishing, he explained so much to me. And he assured me -- I had not quite made the leap of faith into the new direction I was heading -- a living could be made from illustrating books for children.

So, from strangers to colleagues, we soon became friends. We had dinners together and went to parties at each other's apartments in the Village or the Upper Eastside. I was a greenhorn at the threshold of the world of picture book making, and he an experienced professional who reached out to me, such a kind and generous spirit.

I hope you will enjoy the exhibit of his work and if you cannot see it at the Museum, enjoy his wonderful books. 

Ezra Jack Keats, 1973. Photo: Beverly Hall. The Snowy Day and The Art of Ezra Jack Keats is organized by The Jewish Museum, New York, from the collection of the de Grummond Children's Literature Collection, The University of Southern Mississippi. The exhibition was funded at The Jewish Museum through a generous grant from the Ezra Jack Keats Foundation. Additional support was provided by the Joseph Alexander Foundation, the Alfred J. Grunebaum Fund, and the Winnick Family Foundation. Exhibition support at The Carle has been generously provided by Penguin Young Readers Group and the Ezra Jack Keats Foundation.

Birthday gift

I have been enjoying my birthday week in Massachusetts, especially this past Saturday when it was such a gift to meet so many friends at my annual book signing at The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art. It gives me a hopeful feeling to see the families together and to meet the teachers and parents and grandparents. Thank you so much for coming all who were there - from near and far - I had a great time!

Photo credit: Kristin Angel

My Annual Book Signing

I am looking forward to seeing friends and visitors and to signing books with my favorite blue pens at
The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art on Saturday, June 23, 2012. For more information about the signing, please visit the Museum's web site here. Hope to see you there!

Summer fruits

Soon it will be summer and it will be time for The Very Hungry Caterpillar Fruit Salad!

1 Apple
2 Pears
3 Plums
4 Strawberries
5 Oranges
bunch of mint leaves

Peel, pare, seed, hull and section each fruit.
Cut into bite-sized pieces.
Then put them all together in a big bowl and chill.
Garnish each serving with a sprig of mint.

Serve to a small group of friends, after reading a good book.
You'll enjoy every bit of it!

Dolly Parton's Imagination Library

Thank you to my friends at Dolly Parton's Imagination Library for selecting my book 1, 2, 3 to the Zoo to be included in their impressive program. This literacy program has donated nearly 40 million books to children in the United States, Canada and the UK. I am honored to be a part of the Imagination Library and hope you will enjoy learning about it, too!

Happy Mother's Day

                                           
         To all mothers everywhere!