Martin, a professor at the University of Washington who studies children's literature, says The Very Hungry Caterpillar's writing helps little kids grasp concepts like numbers and the days of the week. Perhaps that career helped him prepare for using the simple, resonant language of The Very Hungry Caterpillar.

military during the Korean War and, upon return, moved into advertising. after graduating from art school at age 23 and was immediately hired by The New York Times. The man who wrote The Very Hungry Caterpillar experienced hunger firsthand.Ĭarle headed straight back to the U.S. His immigrant parents decided to return home to Germany - his mother was homesick - and they arrived just in time for World War II.Įric Carle and his most famous creation, during a 2009 appearance on the Today show.Ĭarle was beaten by teachers and shot at by soldiers, and his beloved father disappeared into a Russian prisoner-of-war camp for years after being drafted to fight for the Nazis. Born in Syracuse, N.Y., he remembers an early childhood filled with art, light and walking through nature holding his father's hand. I did the book, after all!'Ĭarle didn't start writing books for children until he was almost 40. Will I ever be able to do that? Yes, you will. You, little insignificant caterpillar, can grow up into a beautiful butterfly and fly into the world with your talent. He's wearing suspenders and a shirt that matches his lively blue eyes.

He was too frail to talk with NPR for this story, but earlier this year, Penguin Random House released a commemorative video of Carle musing on the book's success. Nearly 50 million copies have been sold since the classic picture book was first published in 1969, and it has been translated into over 62 languages.Īuthor Eric Carle, now 89 years old, lives in Key West, Fla. Maybe it's for a grandchild, an expectant parent or a dear friend's new baby. On average, every 30 seconds someone in the world buys a copy of The Very Hungry Caterpillar.

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