If asked to name a baby book, a great deal of us would probably call The Very Hungry Caterpillar, the book about one caterpillar’s journey from caterpillar to butterfly. It’s one of the best known children’s books of all time, and just one of the wonderful books written by beloved children’s author Eric Carle, who has sadly died aged 91.
Eric Carle was born on June 25th, 1929 and first worked as an illustrator for an ad company before being asked to collaborate on a children’s picture book. That book was Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What do you see? And it’s still in print today. In 1969 Carle wrote what would be his most famous children’s book, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, though at that time he could never have imagined it would become the most famous picture book in the world. The book has been translated into 66 languages and has sold more than 50 million copies, which is equivalent to 1.8 copies every minute since its publication.
When asked why it was so endearing, Carle said of The Very Hungry Caterpillar “I think it is a book of hope. Children need hope. You, little insignificant caterpillar can grow up into a beautiful butterfly and fly into the world with your talent.” And he certainly lived up to that in his writing, success and his accolades.
Today it was announced in a statement from the family that Carle had passed away, aged 91. No cause of death was given. A tribute has appeared on his official website.
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