Eric Carle (1929–2021) was one of the best-known illustrators of our time. The creator of more than 70 picture books, he combined winsome stories and exuberant collages that appeal to young readers and adults alike. In 2002, Eric Carle and his late wife, Barbara Carle, founded The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art in Amherst, Massachusetts. The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art is the international champion for picture books. We collect, preserve, and exhibit original illustrations, encourage guests of all ages to read and create art, and foster an ever-growing audience passionate about children’s literature. The Carle opened its doors in 2002 with a bold but simple vision: to ensure that picture-book illustration, as an art form, would be celebrated around the world. Since then, the Museum has been a tireless champion for picture book art, amassing a world-class collection of original illustrations and organizing exhibitions that travel the globe. Our education programs, which focus on the joys of art and books, have reached hundreds of thousands of children.