Eric Carle’s most popular storybook character, the Very Hungry Caterpillar, is having a birthday celebration at the Frist Art Museum in Nashville (on exhibit until February 23, 2020).
For 50 years now both children and adults have been delighted with the little caterpillar who eats his way through quite a feast as he grows and grows, and finally transforms into a glorious butterfly.
In the exhibit, all of Carle’s books are available to be read on cozy floor pillows on “grass” rugs, or under colorful reading nooks.
The original artwork of his unforgettable characters hangs on the gallery walls. Who doesn’t love the blue horse, the purple cat, or the lonely firefly illustrated in Carle’s signature collage art style?
According to the museum’s bio, “Eric Carle was born in Syracuse, New York, in 1929 and moved to Stuttgart, Germany, when he was six. At school, many of his teachers encouraged his love of art. He remembers that, even as a young child, he was attracted to large sheets of paper, big brushes, and colorful paints – the same tools and materials he uses to make his picture book collages. Many of his stories are inspired by simple everyday experiences with his family and friends, such as making pancakes or playing together. Carle’s books also reflect his fascination with nature and animals, from majestic peacocks and polar bears to humble beetles, caterpillars, and fireflies. His characters go through big changes or on long journeys, just like we all do as we grow up!” Carle turns 90 years old this year.
This weekend, Shiloh and I went to the Frist Art Museum’s Exhibition. She seemed most intrigued that I knew all of the characters because I had read these same books to her daddy when he was little.
I, on the other hand, was most intrigued by the creative genius of an illustrator and author of children’s picture books whose use of everyday events, bold bright colors, and whimsical creatures has captured the imaginations of children around the world for the past 50 years. As we read the stories and Shiloh eagerly supplied all the repetitive parts with joy, I noted again how our human minds learn by repetition.
And, I was equally surprised at the depth of nostalgia the exhibit stirred up within me, to be experiencing generational succession in real time.
