The Very Hungry Caterpiller

If someone mentions Eric Carle's name, you may think he sounds familiar, but you may not be able to place him. However, if you saw his books, even without  titles you know would know him immediately.
Eric Carle's books are done as collages. The colors are beautiful, the pictures bright and appealing. All of his books are written with a unique element added to them. For instance, in "The Very Lonely Firefly", tiny lights light up the ending to show the firefly he isn't alone.  In "The Very Quiet Cricket", the book chirps at the end as a cacophony of crickets joins the hero.
Eric Carle is not just visual in his books. He also employs the tactile. In "The Very Busy Spider" letters are raised, so that children can feel them as well as see them. Children and adults who are visually impaired can enjoy this book right off the shelf.
Eric Carle began his career as a graphic artist, then later worked in an advertising agency. In 1967 he illustrated his first book, Brown Bear Brown Bear what do you see?  His second book in 1968 was 1,2,3, to the zoo.  A simple counting book. Then in 1969 he wrote "The Very Hungry Caterpillar".  With that book Eric Carle became a household name.
The reader follows the hungry caterpillar as he starts out as an egg, then eats his way into a butterfly. The pages are die cut, starting out very short to begin with, and then gradually working their way up to book size. The book shows the caterpillar eating things both good and bad. The hungry caterpillar makes learning fun as the readers count off both the days until he becomes a butterfly and the items he eats. .
Eric Carle's books are colorful, educational and enjoyable. Since his first book, he has written or illustrated over 70 books for children, sometimes writing 3 or more in a single year.. When you find one of Eric Carle's books you might see a grouchy lady bug, or meet a dragon, or plant a seed. But you won't be bored!