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Eric Carle: Still a Curious Kid at Heart
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Picture books seem to be spilling off library and bookstore shelves these days, but there remain those talented and iconic author-illustrators who hold -- and will always hold -- a special place in the hearts of children and parents around the globe. One of our personal favorites is Eric Carle, with his bold and brilliant illustrations, his childlike curiosity, his deep devotion to the natural world and his ability to see (and show) the power and beauty in even the tiniest of creatures.
We recently introduced a new line of toys and gifts featuring magnificent Eric Carle artwork, inspiring us to reflect on his prolific career and what makes his world so remarkably inviting to book lovers of all ages.
Carle often speaks and writes about his early nature explorations, his fascination with the world’s tiniest creatures and the excitement he felt exploring the woods and finding little creepy crawlies under rocks and twigs and leaves. His father encouraged him to explore nature with a reverence for all the world's creatures. He took the boy on walks and explained the life cycles and habits of the tiny insects and animals they encountered, always remembering to return them to their homes – under rocks, on leaves, in hollow logs – before they left. Over the years, Carle (who turns 80 on June 25, 2009!) has never lost his curiosity about or reverence for nature, something that comes through in the bright, beautiful illustrations and heart-warming stories of his beloved books.
Before becoming a children's book illustrator, and later an author-illustrator, Carle worked as a graphic designer. He was once asked to work on some educational materials, but he found them dull and uninspired. With his own childlike nature still intact, he knew instinctively they would never hold young readers' interest. Then he met renowned children's author Bill Martin, Jr., who asked Carle to illustrate his book Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? The collaboration changed Carle's life.
Suddenly he realized an artist could create a vivid and inviting world for children, encouraging them to explore the magical world of books and become lifelong readers. By combining his graphic design skills with his storyteller’s passion, he began creating books that doubled as toys, or toys a child could read. Most of Carle's books do double as toys, with flaps to lift, holes cut out for little fingers to poke through, parts that fold out or overlap others, and so much more for young readers and pre-readers to do. No longer passive listeners and watchers, Carle invites them in to experience the joy of books with their own hands and minds.
Carle's love of nature -- and his deep respect for his young audiences -- come through in his stories as well as his artwork. On the surface he tells simple little tales that move from beginning to end in an easy-to-follow manner. But delve a little deeper and you find there's much more to discover. He purposely includes many layers in his works to reach children where they are developmentally every time they read his stories.
Take The Grouchy Ladybug, for example. On the surface, there's the simple and amusing story of insects arguing and, ultimately, resolving their differences. For very young children that's sufficient. But older, more sophisticated readers can be drawn into the underlying lesson about how the rising and setting of the sun creates what we know as time and day and night. For those readers who are ready, Carle's simple board book can inspire a curiosity about the natural world and an interest in scientific discovery to last a lifetime.
Even very young children gain important knowledge from Carle's classic The Very Hungry Caterpillar. They learn or practice counting, the days of the week, and what a variety of tasty foods are called ... and they're introduced to the natural wonder that occurs when a caterpillar transforms itself into a cocoon and then a beautiful butterfly.
When Eric Carle invites children into the world of his books, he's not only interested in entertaining them or teaching them specific facts. He's interested in inspiring his young audiences to continue exploring on their own. He wants to awaken the curiosity and natural wonder he so vividly recalls -- and has somehow retained -- from his own childhood.
We couldn't be happier to introduce a new line of products featuring the iconic artwork of Eric Carle. We hope they'll speak to you as warmly as they speak to us:
Animal Lacing Cards: A set of 10 lacing cards featuring cover illustrations from some of Carle's beloved books. Just like his "books to play with/toys to read," these cards encourage little fingers to poke around and explore while developing fine motor skills.
Decorative Prints: A collection of 12 ready-to-frame posters showcasing the colorful and charming art of Eric Carle. Ideal artwork for every young book lover's room.
Growth Chart: This 10-panel accordion-fold chart measures up to 6 feet so the whole family can compare heights. Features Eric Carle's inimitable art and colorful stickers to mark those measurement milestones.
Journal for Baby's First Year: Eric Carle's heartwarming art illustrates your record of baby's first year. Includes a wonderful mobile to hang in baby's room, too.
ABC Animal Flash Cards and Number Flash Cards: These colorful, durable cards are a wonderful introduction to the alphabet and the numbers 1 through 10, featuring Eric Carle's delightful art. They're sturdy enough for hours of play, but they also make great wall art.
Birthday Party Kit: What a great idea for a delightful, stress-free birthday party! This set includes everything you need to host your child's party, and it's all illustrated with Eric Carle's colorful, engaging artwork. You get a 24-page booklet with party-planning tips, recipes, and games; 20 festive party-favor bags; 20 colorful crowns; a decorative 'Happy Birthday' banner; a Pin-the-Tail-on-the-Elephant game; and more than 50 stickers. It's a happy birthday for baby ... and easy party planning for Mom and Dad!
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