Meet Legendary Kids' Author Eric Carle

Eric Carle, the beloved creator of timeless illustrated picture books such as The Very Hungry Caterpillar, has a special friendship with the owners of in Glen Rock. That's why he’ll make a rare public appearance on Saturday at 11 a.m. to sign his new book, The Artist Who Painted a Blue Horse.

"The owners of the store, Bob and Mary, are good friends and also of the Museum (The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art,)" Carle said. "Over the years I make scheduled public appearances less frequently. I have too much to do in my studio! So when I do have a signing, like the one coming up at Books Bytes & Beyond it is even more special for me.

Carle told Glen Rock Patch that The Artist Who Painted a Blue Horse has personal significance for the artist because it was inspired by expressionist painter Franz Marc: “When I was about 12 or 13 years old my art teacher Herr Krauss introduced me to abstract and expressionist art during a time when works such as these had been banned and forbidden to be painted or exhibited in Nazi Germany. This experience at first shocked me, but in the end changed my view of art, though I didn't know it at the time.”

The 82-year-old artist, who was born in Syracuse, NY, in 1929 but returned with his family to their native Germany in the 1930s, remembered being enthralled by the so-called “degenerate art” reproductions of paintings of modern and expressionistic art, which his teacher secretly showed him.

"[They] were unlike anything I had been exposed to before. Herr Krauss was a courageous teacher to defy the dictatorial rules of the time."

Carle began his career back in America as a graphic artist at an ad agency using a collage technique he had learned in art school. This unique technique would lead to the start of his writing and illustration career. His best-known work, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, has eaten its way into the hearts of literally millions of children all over the world and has been translated into more than 25 languages.

Since the Caterpillar was published in 1969, Carle has illustrated more than sixty books, many best sellers that he also wrote.

“It is always a pleasure to meet the families and teachers and librarians and grandparents and children who come to my book signings," Carle said.

Don’t miss this chance to meet Eric Carle this Saturday. The autographing ticket is free with the advance purchase of the book. Call 201-670-6766 to reserve your book — a hardcover will run you $17.99.