‘The Very Hungry Caterpillar’ author Eric Carle dies

Children’s writer Eric Carle who penned the best-selling book The Very Hungry Caterpillar, has died aged 91.

“In the light of the moon, holding on to a good star, a painter of rainbows is now travelling across the night sky,” a family statement said about the beloved author’s recent passing.

The book, first published in 1969, features a caterpillar who eats his way through many different foods on different days of the week before finally emerging as a butterfly.

With its distinctive artwork and subtle educational concepts, the 224-word book has been translated into 66 languages and sold more than 50 million copies worldwide.

“It is with heavy hearts that we share that Eric Carle, author and illustrator of The Very Hungry Caterpillar and many other beloved classics, passed away on Sunday, May 23rd at the age of 91,” the statement read, without elaborating.

Remembering the late author, his team further wrote on Instagram, “When asked why he thinks The Very Hungry Caterpillar has remained popular for so long, Carle said, “I think it is a book of hope. Children need hope. Your little insignificant caterpillar can grow up into a beautiful butterfly and fly into the world with your talent.” Thank you, Eric Carle, for sharing your great talent with so many generations of young readers.”

His readers and fans, including the rich and famous, paid their tribute to the beloved children’s writer on social media.

The books he created across more than six decades have sold over 170 million copies and include the other timeless classics such as “Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?” (1967), “Do You Want to Be My Friend?” (1971), “The Grouchy Ladybug” (1977), “Papa, Please Get the Moon for Me” (1986), “‘Slowly, Slowly, Slowly,’ said the Sloth” (2002), “The Very Clumsy Cricket” (2017), and so many more.

Bright collage images, imaginative stories, and little details made Carle’s illustrations uniquely playful. Aside from his illustrations, he is also known for his other fine art works including collage, painting, works on paper and fabric and sculpture. His family said he was a true artist until the end and created drawings as recently as this spring.