Eric Carle was inspired to write children's books by his love of nature and exploring as a child. Some of his most famous characters, like the hungry caterpillar, were based on animals he observed in the forests and castles near his hometown in Germany. Carle believed in using simple words and bright colors in his books, an approach influenced by his art teacher who introduced him to expressionist art. Throughout his career, Carle published over 70 books and won several awards, but his most popular was The Very Hungry Caterpillar. The document then provides examples of activities teachers can do to engage children with Carle's books.

1. Eric Carle

2. • Eric Carle, was born
June 25, 1929,
Syracuse, New York,
US. Died, May 23,
2021.
• Eric Carle was an
American writer and
illustrator of
children’s literature
who published
numerous best-
selling books.

3. What inspired Eric Carle to write books??????
• Eric Carle had a love and knowledge for nature,
an interest shared by most small children. Carle
wanted his books to give the opportunity for
children to learn something about the world
around them.
• Eric Carle’s famous characters were inspired by
the fox holes, spider webs, bugs and animals
that he found exploring castles as a child in
Stuttgart, Germany.

4. Simplicity at it’s best!!!!!!
Eric Carle believed in simple words and bright colors. His outlook on how he visualized art, is due to an
art high school teacher that would change his life. When Eric Carle was 13, he was invited to the art
teacher’s home where he was secretly showed expressionist art. At that time Carle born to German
immigrant parents in New York, his family returned to Germany, and under the Nazis modern,
expressionistic, and abstract art was banned and only realistic and naturalistic art was permitted. After
graduating from a German school and returning, back to the United Stated Carle worked as a graphic
designer. It was then he met Bill Martin Jr. the writer of the book “Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What do
you See”? Whom he collaborated with as the illustrator. Carle’s books speaks to children’s interest,
curiosities, fears, and hearts. His books leave room for young readers to imagine, daydream, and create
their own stories.

6. Awards and Achievements
• Eric Carle’s bestselling book is The Very Hungry
Caterpillar, but he has created over 70 books, each
with iconic illustrations and characters. Although Eric
Carle never won the Caldecott award The Very
Hungry Caterpillar is one of the bestselling children’s
book of all time.
• The Laura Ingalls Wilder Award
• The Regina Medal
• The Japan picture Book Award
• The NEA Foundation Award for Outstanding
Service to Public Education.

7. Activity’s
1. Caterpillar name sort- Using red construction paper create the Face of the caterpillar. Then with green
construction paper cut into circles write the letters of each child name on the circles. Mix them up and let the
children sort them to find the correct spelling of their name. Glue the caterpillar together as they find the
correct spelling. A name card can be provided to help children match and identify the letters/ correct spelling.
2. Read The Very Hungry Caterpillar, then make caterpillar puppets out of popsicle sticks, red and green
construction paper, and googly eyes so the children can, memorize the story or create a story of their own.
3. Read the story Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What do you See? Then hide animal replicas around the classroom and
choose children to find the animal replicas. The teacher will ask (Example…… John Doe, John Doe what do you
see…….. Once the child has spotted an animal, they will respond ( I see a ?????? Looking at me) sharing the
name of the animal they found.

8. Activities continued………..
4. The very busy Spider craft sticks - The children will color print outs of the characters of the book. After they color
the print outs glue them to a craft stick. The teacher will then read the book an as your reading the children will
hold up the character you are reading about as you read the story.
5. Read the book the very busy spider, then have large group finger play with the poem…….
“The Sneaky, Greedy Spider”
The sneaky , greedy spider ....( take fingers and crawl up arm)
Creeps on eight hairy legs
She spins a web of silk…….( hold up both hands in the air and wiggle fingers)
And fills a sack of eggs
She catches a tired fly…….( clap hands together)
And wraps him like a mummy……( make two fist and move them in circular motion)
Dinner is served
Her feast is rather yummy…..( Rub tummy)
By Nicolette L.