Eric Carle passed away on May 23, 2021, at the age of 91. The cause of his death was kidney failure, as confirmed by family statements and reports from various sources.
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Carle continued to work on his art until shortly before his passing, illustrating his dedication to his craft even in his later years. He died peacefully at his summer studio in Northampton, Massachusetts, surrounded by family members.
Eric Carle’s career as an illustrator truly began when Bill Martin Jr., an educator and author, noticed an illustration of a red lobster that Carle had created for an advertisement.
Impressed by Carle’s unique style, Martin invited him to collaborate on a picture book, leading to the creation of Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?. This book became a bestseller and launched Carle’s career as a children’s book illustrator and author.
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In 1969, Carle wrote and illustrated his first solo books, 1, 2, 3 to the Zoo and The Very Hungry Caterpillar. His artwork was distinctive, created using a collage technique with hand-painted papers that he cut and layered to form bright and colorful images.
Throughout his life, Carle received numerous honorary degrees from prestigious institutions, including Williams College, Smith College, and Bates College. His contributions to children’s literature were widely recognized, and he won several awards, including the Japan Picture Book Award, the Regina Medal, and the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Society of Illustrators.
In 2009, Google honored Eric Carle by inviting him to design a special Google Doodle for the first day of spring, inspired by The Very Hungry Caterpillar. In 2019, a new species of jumping spider was named after Carle to commemorate the 50th anniversary of The Very Hungry Caterpillar and to celebrate Carle’s 90th birthday.
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