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.
Read here about the remarkable life of Eric Carle MORE
Hours:
Closed Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday
Holiday Closures: Independence Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas, and New Year’s Day
Kid in a Candy Store: The Picture Book Art of Seymour Chwast November 18, 2023 - April 14, 2024 Central Gallery Enter a world of whimsy. Seymour Chwast’s revolutionary contributions to the world of graphic design have overshadowed his equally impactful picture book career—until now. This is the first museum exhibition to focus on Chwast’s books for […]
Bilingual Storytime: Mandarin & English Free with Museum admission Share stories in Mandarin and English during this bilingual read-aloud of Eric Carle’s 10 Little Rubber Ducks. Participants will be invited to explore original artwork from the book in the exhibition Environmental Eric Carle. WHO YOU'LL MEET YAN WU Yan Wu is a Mandarin-English interpreter and translator. She is currently a […]
In Conversation: Seymour Chwast and Leonard S. Marcus Free with Museum admission Hear from world-renowned graphic designer Seymour Chwast and guest curator Leonard S. Marcus as they discuss how the eye-popping color, bold lettering, and buoyant wit of Chwast’s commercial work informs his out-of-the-box children’s books. This program is in conjunction with the exhibition Kid in a […]
PuppetKabob Presents The Snowflake Man December 30, 2023 at 11:30 am - 12:15 pm Auditorium $4.00 REGISTER The story of The Snowflake Man is inspired by Wilson “Snowflake” Bentley, the self-educated farmer and scientist who attracted world attention when he became the first person to photograph a single snow crystal. The Snowflake Man swings audiences into the historic 1920s through creative […]
Join The Center Dance Studio for creative movement and narrative dance inspired by Daniel’s Good Day, by Micha Archer. Kids will love this interactive class that honors the reader, and storyteller, in all of us. Bring your imagination and your dancing feet! Recommended for children ages 2-6. Caregiver participation welcome. Free with Museum admission
Enjoy this interactive storytime for early learners. Move, sing, talk, and explore materials during this interactive storytime designed with toddlers and preschoolers in mind. Recommended for children under 5 and their caregivers. WHO YOU'LL MEET DAVID FEINSTEIN Literacy Educator at The Carle since 2017, David enjoys working with artists, educators, and families to create and share their stories.
Inspired by the Elephant & Piggie book series by Mo Willems, First Book Friendiversary is a celebration of friendship and reading. Families visiting between February 7-11 will receive a FREE Elephant & Piggie book while supplies last! Please note: Elephant & Piggie costume characters will not be in attendance.
