Biography of Eric Carle
Eric Carle was born in Syracuse, New York in 1929. He is a cherished and famous Children’s author and illustrator. He creates brilliant and innovative picture books for young children. His most famous work is the book called The Very Hungry Caterpillar.
Carle grew up in Germany, where he received most of his education. As a little boy, he grew up loving to draw and create art. He has never stopped.
Eventually, he moved back to the United States to begin to work. He started off working as a graphic designer in the promotion department of The New York Times. After that, he was the art director for an advertising agency.
Carle began his career as a children’s author and illustrator because one day Bill Martin Jr., author of the children’s book Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What do you see?, asked him to collaborate on the book as an illustrator. Soon after creating this famous children’s book together, Eric Carle began writing and illustrating his own children’s books and his career took off. Carle’s first children’s book that was solely written and illustrated by him is called 1, 2, 3 to the Zoo, and was published in 1968.
All of Eric Carle’s illustrations are considered a work of art and are very distinctive. According to the Eric Carle website, he uses a collage technique, using hand painted papers, which he cuts and layers to form brightly colored images. His illustrations are very unique, and he also tends to add different dimensions to them such as using twinkling lights, die cut images, and even life-like sounds.
Eric Carle’s inspiration for his books comes from his immense appreciation and broad knowledge of nature. Due to his unique, relatable, and brilliant work in children’s literature, and his understanding and dedication to children, Eric Carle has won many awards such as The Original Art Lifetime achievement Award from The Society of Illustrators, the Kurt Vonnegut Jr. Literature Award, Laura Ingalls Wilder Award, Outstanding Friend of Children Award, and the Japan Picture Book Award.
Carle currently lives in the Florida Keys and Massachusetts with his wife. He also enjoys spending time with his two adult children. His most recent work was the children’s book What’s your Favorite Animal? which was published in 2014.
Awards and Recognitions
Carle grew up in Germany, where he received most of his education. As a little boy, he grew up loving to draw and create art. He has never stopped.
Eventually, he moved back to the United States to begin to work. He started off working as a graphic designer in the promotion department of The New York Times. After that, he was the art director for an advertising agency.
Carle began his career as a children’s author and illustrator because one day Bill Martin Jr., author of the children’s book Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What do you see?, asked him to collaborate on the book as an illustrator. Soon after creating this famous children’s book together, Eric Carle began writing and illustrating his own children’s books and his career took off. Carle’s first children’s book that was solely written and illustrated by him is called 1, 2, 3 to the Zoo, and was published in 1968.
All of Eric Carle’s illustrations are considered a work of art and are very distinctive. According to the Eric Carle website, he uses a collage technique, using hand painted papers, which he cuts and layers to form brightly colored images. His illustrations are very unique, and he also tends to add different dimensions to them such as using twinkling lights, die cut images, and even life-like sounds.
Eric Carle’s inspiration for his books comes from his immense appreciation and broad knowledge of nature. Due to his unique, relatable, and brilliant work in children’s literature, and his understanding and dedication to children, Eric Carle has won many awards such as The Original Art Lifetime achievement Award from The Society of Illustrators, the Kurt Vonnegut Jr. Literature Award, Laura Ingalls Wilder Award, Outstanding Friend of Children Award, and the Japan Picture Book Award.
Carle currently lives in the Florida Keys and Massachusetts with his wife. He also enjoys spending time with his two adult children. His most recent work was the children’s book What’s your Favorite Animal? which was published in 2014.
Awards and Recognitions
- Honorary Degree from Smith College, Northampton, MA , 2014
- Honorary Degree from Appalachian State University, Boone, NC 2013
- Great Friend to Kids Awards, Association of Children’s Museums, Pittsburgh, PA 2013
- The Original Art Lifetime Achievement Award from the Society of Illustrators, New York, NY, 2010
- Kurt Vonnegut Jr. Literature Award presented by the Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library, 2008
- Honorary Degree from Bates College, Lewiston, ME, 2007
- The NEA Foundation Award for Outstanding Service to Public Education, 2007
- John P. McGovern Award in Behavioral Sciences, Smithsonian Institution, 2006
- Laura Ingalls Wilder Award from the Association for Library Service to Children, American Library Association, 2003
- Honorary Degree from Niagara University, Niagara, NY, 2002
- Officer’s Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany, 2001
- Honorary Degree from College of Our Lady the Elms, Chicopee, MA, 2001
- Japan Picture Book Award, Presented by Mainichi Newspaper for Lifetime Achievement, 2000
- Outstanding Friend of Children, Pittsburgh Children’s Museum, 1999
- Regina Medal, Catholic Library Association, 1999
- University of Southern Mississippi Medallion from DeGrumond Collection, University of Southern Mississippi, Hattisburg, MS, 1997
- The 1995 David McCord Children’s Literature Citation, Framingham State College + The Nobscot Reading Council of the International Reading Association, 1995
- Silver Medal from the City of Milano, Italy, 1989
- In addition, Eric Carle has won many awards for his books including First Prize for Picture Books from the International Children’s Book Fair, Bologna, Italy; the Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Best Book Award, The American Institute of Graphics Award, the Selection Du Grand Prix Treize, France, as well as awards from The Association of Booksellers for Children, The American Booksellers Association and The American Library Association.
Sources
"Eric Carle." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, n.d. Web. 14 Apr. 2015.
"A Video Interview with Eric Carle." Reading Rockets. N.p., 09 Aug. 2013. Web. 18 Apr. 2015.
"Welcome to The Official Eric Carle Web Site." The Official Eric Carle Web Site. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Apr. 2015.
"Eric Carle." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, n.d. Web. 14 Apr. 2015.
"A Video Interview with Eric Carle." Reading Rockets. N.p., 09 Aug. 2013. Web. 18 Apr. 2015.
"Welcome to The Official Eric Carle Web Site." The Official Eric Carle Web Site. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Apr. 2015.