The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art

About the Museum

The mission of The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, a non-profit organization in Amherst, MA, is to inspire a love of art and reading through picture books. The only full-scale museum of its kind in the United States, The Carle collects, preserves, presents, and celebrates picture books and picture book illustrations from around the world. In addition to underscoring the cultural, historical, and artistic significance of picture books and their art form, The Carle offers educational programs that provide a foundation for arts integration and literacy.

Eric and Barbara Carle founded the Museum in November 2002. Eric Carle is the renowned author and illustrator of more than 70 books, including the 1969 classic The Very Hungry Caterpillar. Since opening, the 40,000-square foot facility has served more than half a million visitors, including 30,000 schoolchildren. Its extensive resources include a collection of more than 10,000 picture book illustrations, three art galleries, an art studio, a theater, picture book and scholarly libraries, and educational programs for families, scholars, educators, and schoolchildren. Educational offerings include professional training for educators around the country.

Click for Coupons

Hours:

Hours from September through June

• Tuesday – Friday* 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
• Saturday 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
• Sunday 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm
• *Open Monday through Friday during the Massachusetts February and April school vacation weeks.

Hours in July and August

• Monday – Friday 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
• Saturday 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
• Sunday 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm

Holiday Closures: Independence Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas, and New Year’s Day

The Lord Jeffery Inn/ Eric Carle Museum Package