The Colorful World of Eric Carle Books

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Doesn’t Eric Carle Choose Just the Most Peculiar Ideas for His Picture Books?

A caterpillar, a spider, a star and a box of plastic ducks. Who would have thought that these and other seemingly mundane themes would become runaway hits, entertaining millions of children around the world for decades?

The magic and mystery of Eric Carle Books

There’s just something about Eric Carle books that jumps off the pages to reach out and touch you regardless of whether you’re 3 or 33( or older). You don’t really know what’s going to happen until you’ve begun to read…and then…it’s too late to stop even if you want to. (Which isn’t likely, anyway). The words seem to flow and the pages seem to turn themselves. And before you realize you’re reading, you’ve reached the end.  Reading aloud from one of his books is almost like having a conversation with your child. It’s as if you’re asking questions, pondering answers together, piecing together a puzzle and discussing possibilities.

What Makes Eric Carle’s Books So Special

Many say the magic of Eric Carle’s books lies in his vibrant collages that are always brimming with life. There’s this child-like enthusiasm that spills over which is impossible to resist.  The explosion of color accompanying the caterpillar’s transformation into a butterfly in The Very Hungry Caterpillar  enthralls every young child( and his parent) who encounters the book.  Check out this video of Eric Carle describing the creation of the book that continues to entertain children everywhere. 

While Eric Carle’s colorful collages are central to his books and remain unmatched, there’s more to it. 

At first glance, it seems like the words that help tell the story play second fiddle to the images. But, try replacing or skipping any of the words in The Very Busy Spider, The Very Hungry Caterpillar or ‘Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?’ as you read and you’ll immediately sense the difference. The words in Eric Carle’s books are like teeth or piano keys -you may be barely aware of them when they’re there -but you’re sure to miss them terribly the second they’re gone! The books look simple and straightforward enough, but contain carefully chosen words and phrases. Switch a single punctuation or letter and you lose the cadence, the natural flow of the book.

Have you Read These Not-so-popular Eric Carle Books?

A couple of weeks ago, M and I picked out a couple of Eric Carle’s books that we hadn’t read before. In fact, I don’t remember having seen them on display in book stores either.  Both make wonderful, refreshing reads and are quite different from anything we’ve read before.

The first one is Draw me a Star.  

Eric Carle Books

 Eric Carle shares a fascinating anecdote about his inspiration for this book which is about  an artist bringing alive everything he draws, thereby creating the world by drawing it. You’ll find the characteristic collages, short sentences and simple words. You’ll also find instructions to help your child learn to draw a star…a great book to create a childhood memory with. My daughter loves tracing her fingers over the star and then copies those movements on paper as she draws her own star. 

 I think Draw me a Star is great as a read-aloud book,  a bedtime story or even a beginning reader book. It is sure to inspire budding artists as well. ( Also, if you read it with a child old enough to ask questions about the universe, creation and life, this book is sure to give you plenty to talk about!)

Eric Carle Book

 The second book, 10 Little Rubber Ducks shares some elements with other popular count-and-read books, but the context, the plot and the treatment are something that bear the unmistakable Eric Carle stamp. Inspired by a news report, this is a story of ten rubber ducks that get separated in transit between factory and store.  Curious young minds are bound to wonder and ask what happened to them.  You and your child will enjoy discovering where each duck ended up. Read and relish this story of the ten rubber ducks that got lost at sea, headed in different directions and found their own destinies. This is a great pick to introduce your children to numbers, directions, modes of transport, various animals and their habitats.

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