The Very Brilliant Bookmaker, Eric Carle

 Word of Eric Carle's passing  will have reached you by now, no doubt. My few comments here  will not be the most memorable commentary that you'll read. But I do want to add my thoughts about the way this gentle giant of the kingdom of children played a central role in my reading, teaching, and writing life. I avoid naming favorites among books, authors, and other precious things. In fact, though, Eric Carle will always hold a place in my heart beyond measure.

Across  many years and grades of teaching, I used a video (VCR!) featuring him in conversation with the viewers, who he clearly understood were children, but whom he treated with respect and sincerity that any viewer of any age or status would welcome. Carle's personality and brilliance reached right through the screen and into our hearts. His conversation ranged from his early childhood and family, his joy in creating art and stories, and his warm invitation to children to try out the things he demonstrated. 

For his passing, I want to preserve here a summary of one short section of that program. 

He described his "trilogy" of three picture books as holding the core of his beliefs about growing up and becoming a person in a  wide, wonderful, and worrisome world. 

As he worked on THE VERY HUNGRY CATERPILLAR, he realized it was a book about HOPE.

 

Later, as he worked on THE VERY BUSY SPIDER, he reflected on the value of WORK. 

Still later, THE VERY QUIET CRICKET reminds us of the importance of finding our own VOICE.

The legacy of Eric Carle's art and stories will never end. May every child have the opportunity to know and love them. And may we all help every child to grow up gentle and confident- with hope, hard work, and a clear voice.