Eric Carle, children’s author and illustrator of The Very Hungry Caterpillar and many other children’s books, has died at the age of 91. Here, readers share their memories of what the celebrated author’s work means to them.
‘We still read The Very Hungry Caterpillar weekly’
I’m a mother of two. From the moment I was pregnant with my first son, now four, I knew that I wanted to share the love of reading with him from an early age. At my baby shower I had a “story book” theme and requested books in lieu of cards. We received more than one hundred books including The Very Hungry Caterpillar from my sister in law. While it’s worse for wear now, we still read it weekly. He will be greatly missed but his work will live on through us for many years to come. Shelby Hamilton, 27, Brookville, Indiana, USA
‘The children were entranced’
I retired more than 20 years ago after working in London libraries. Every Tuesday afternoon, there was a an hour when under five-year-olds, accompanied by a parent, would come to play and have a story read to them. As an assistant whose duties included dealing with the junior department in the library, I was often the one who did the reading and Eric Carle’s The Very Hungry Caterpillar was one of the children’s favourites. As most parents and carers know, a small child’s attention span can be somewhat brief, but with this book they were entranced and very attentive, which I am sure would have pleased Eric. Anonymous, Hertfordshire
‘The shock plot twist at the end of The Very Hungry Caterpillar still makes me smile’
This was the first book I remember reading at primary school in 1987 and is without doubt one of my favourite books of all time. It was one of the first books I read to my own kids, and hopefully they will share it with theirs. I own at least three copies and I have no idea why. I still often read through it, even though my own kids are teenagers now. As ridiculous as it sounds, the shock plot twist at the end still makes me smile. What’s the moral of the story? Eat until you burst? Or just be yourself and you’ll be fine? Both work for me! Niall McCracken, 38, public sector worker, Staffordshire
‘I still draw stars the way Eric Carle did’
Brown Bear, Brown Bear, and Draw Me A Star were two of my very favourite books growing up. Eric Carle’s approach has also influenced my own writing, particularly the two children’s short stories that I am currently finishing off. He has a timeless style. I still draw stars the special way illustrated in the back of the book. Thanks, Eric. Kell Tibenham, 22, Cheltenham
‘His book helped my son cope with his fear of bugs’
My son, age six, who has autism, has been completely obsessed with Eric Carle books and has learned to read lots of them. It really helps his concentration and his reading skills, and has helped him cope with his fear of bugs. Claire Hueston, 41, music lecturer, Carrickfergus, Northern Ireland
‘I can almost recite his books by heart’
As a young, lower primary school teacher doing casual work, I planned a day for five- to seven-year-olds based on The Very Hungry Caterpillar. I’d start off the day reading the story, then develop the rest of the day into science, nature, healthy eating, story writing, art, and so on. It was all triggered by the wonderful, engaging story. I then later read this gorgeous book, and his others to my own three children. Over, and over, and over again. All of these years later, I can almost recite them by heart. Eric Carle has inspired so many people, young and older, all around the world. Magical. Jacqui Reith, 58, teacher, Dunedin, New Zealand
