Though he was born in Syracuse, New York, in 1929, Eric Carle did most of his growing up in Germany, where he moved with his parents at the age of six. While there he was educated at Akademie der bildenden Künste, in Stuttgart, a prestigious art school.
He returned to America in 1952 where he found a job as a graphic designer for The New York Times. One particular advertisement designed by Mr. Carle caught the eye of author/educator, Bill Martin Jr., and he contacted him to see if he would be interested in illustrating one of his books. What was born of this collaboration was the great classic Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do you See?, and the real beginning of Eric Carle's career! (Together Mr. Carle and Mr. Martin also produced Polar Bear, Polar Bear, What Do You Hear?, Panda Bear, Panda Bear, What Do You See?, and Baby Bear, Baby Bear, What Do You See?)
Before long, Mr. Carle was writing and illustrating his own books, the first being 1, 2, 3 To The Zoo, and followed closely by the award winning classic, The Very Hungry Caterpillar! In the years since he started, Eric Carle has written and/or illustrated over 70 books, many of them celebrated classics!
Mr. Carle’s art is easily some of the most recognizable in the world of children's literature.. He creates his work using a collage technique. Using hand-painted papers, he cuts and layers them to form bright and distinct images for his books! Mr. Carle and his wife even founded The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art to greater celebrate the greatest art work in children's literature.
If you would like to learn more about Mr. Carle, his works, and awards, please check out The Official Eric Carle Web Site or Eric Carle's Official Blog right here on Blogger!
