Eric Carle was a German-American designer, illustrator, and writer of children’s books. He was most known for his book, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, which propelled him into fame. It has been translated into more than 60 languages. In 2003, the American Library Association awarded Carle the biennial Laura Ingalls Wilder Medal (now called the Children’s Literature Legacy Award), a prize for writers or illustrators of children’s books published in the U.S. who have made lasting contributions to the field. He was celebrated as a children’s author whose books have been cherished by many.
Eric Carle was born on June 25, 1929. His career as an illustrator and children’s book author took off after he collaborated on ‘Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?’ His books have been voted one of the best Children’s books numerous times over the years. He wrote and illustrated more than 70 books for young children, selling more than 170 million copies. Carle died on May 23, 2021, at his studio home in Northampton, Massachusetts
1 I just think that whatever our eyes touch should be beautiful, tasteful, appealing, and important. -Eric Carle
Beauty is something that gives us joy. We’re always looking at something or the other. And if things that we look at are appealing and enchanting to us, it fills our hearts with joy and wonder.
2 I do my best to simplify and refine, to be logical and harmonious. -Eric Carle
Logic and reason is what one needs in life. No matter what problems you are faced with, you can always find a solution by being logical. Never let your emotions take away your sense of reason.
3 I also try to keep an open mind, to listen to my intuition and allow for the unexpected, the coincidental. -Eric Carle
Always keep an open mind. Life is uncertain and you never know what other surprises you will find along the way. So always listen to your intuition and be ready for the unexpected to happen. That is what makes life so interesting.
4 Ultimately, my aim is to entertain, and sometimes to enlighten, the child who still lives inside of me. -Eric Carle
We are innately curious minds. There’s a child within us all. And it is paramount that we keep that child within us alive. Keep him enlightened and entertained. That is what adds colour and zeal to our lives.
5 I knew even as a child that, when I grew up, I would be an artist of some kind. -Eric Carle
Art is something that lights a fire within us all. Every child has an affinity for art. They look at even the simplest of things with wonder and awe. And isn’t that what one needs in life: the ability to look at things with curiosity and passion and find beauty in even the most mundane things?
6 I try to express the essence of my stories and ideals very clearly, using simple shapes. -Eric Carle
You do not need sophisticated visuals to tell a story. Sometimes, the best things are expressed through the simplest of mediums. What matters is that you convey your ideas in a clear and concise manner.
7 One day I think it’s the greatest idea ever that I’m working on, The next day I think it’s the worst that I’ve ever worked on. -Eric Carle
You may not always feel that surge of inspiration in your work. Somedays you may be motivated to conquer the world but on others, you may feel low and uninspired. And that’s okay. Being passionate constantly is tiring. What matters the most is that you do not give up.
8 The hardest part is developing the idea, and that can take years. -Eric Carle
An idea takes a long time to grow. You need to develop it, to let it take size and form. An idea has its own personality. You need to help it become what it ought to be. It’s essentially like raising a child.
9 Don’t forget to have art in your life – music, paintings, theater, dance, and sunsets. -Eric Carle
Art is what gives us something to strive for. It is what alleviates us from our usual mundane life and takes away the dullness and monotony of it. Art is what makes our life bearable, be it music, painting, dance or even nature itself.
10 Simplify, slow down, be kind. -Eric Carle
Life is simple. You need to be able to enjoy it. To feel it and understand it. There’s so much beauty and joy all around you. We miss it because we are so stuck up on the things that do not matter. To truly enjoy life, slow down, be kind and spread love.
10 Best Quotes by Eric Carle, Author of The Very Hungry Caterpillar
1. I just think that whatever our eyes touch should be beautiful, tasteful, appealing, and important. -Eric Carle
2. I do my best to simplify and refine, to be logical and harmonious. -Eric Carle
3. I also try to keep an open mind, to listen to my intuition and allow for the unexpected, the coincidental. -Eric Carle
4. Ultimately, my aim is to entertain, and sometimes to enlighten, the child who still lives inside of me. -Eric Carle
5. I knew even as a child that, when I grew up, I would be an artist of some kind. -Eric Carle
6. I try to express the essence of my stories and ideals very clearly, using simple shapes. -Eric Carle
7. One day I think it’s the greatest idea ever that I’m working on, The next day I think it’s the worst that I’ve ever worked on. -Eric Carle
8. The hardest part is developing the idea, and that can take years. -Eric Carle
9. Don’t forget to have art in your life – music, paintings, theater, dance, and sunsets. -Eric Carle
10. Simplify, slow down, be kind. -Eric Carle