Eric Carle was the author of many children’s books. His best-known is The Very Hungry Caterpillar. Sadly, on May 23rd, Carle passed away; he was 91 years old.
The Very Hungry Caterpillar was published back in 1969 and would go on to be a top-selling book. Carle’s career would produce over 70 books to be enjoyed by children around the world. The pillars of his work: Color and more color, and animals.
Carle said that much of his inspiration for books stems from when his father took him on nature walks. “I think it started with my father. He took me for long walks and explained things to me,” he stated, according to NPR.
At one point, his parents moved back to Germany just before the start of WWII. After graduating from art school he returned to America and began working for The New York Times. He would later serve in the U.S. military during the Korean War, as well as work in advertising.
Story via Neda Ulaby with NPR