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.
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
Picture everything Eric Carle! Enjoy this unique museum experience with your family. Begin your stay with in-room snacks for the family and new plush friends for the kids.
Then head on off to the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art with admission for four and a gift card to get you started in the gift shop. Finally, start each morning off right with breakfast for four in our restaurant, 30Boltwood.
Rates starting at $293
October 2019
The Eric Carle Museum, Special Storytime
Most marshmallows don’t grow on trees. But who doesn’t love to wander through the woods in the fall? Join Rowboat Watkins and Doug Salati for a reading of their latest books, Most Marshmallows and Lawrence in the Fall. We will then make paper forests of our wildest imaginings! Free with Museum Admission. Book signing to follow program. Can’t make it to the event? You may reserve signed books online or contact The Carle Bookshop at shop@carlemuseum.org.
Find out more »The Eric Carle Museum, Happier Family Comedy Show
Founded in 2015, Happier Valley Comedy is the heart of improv comedy in Western Mass! Their Happier Family Comedy Show is all about letting creativity flourish in an accepting atmosphere. Each improv show is an hour-long, all new, and created on the spot based on audience members’ suggestions and participation. Geared for kids ages 5-12, you won’t want to miss this program packed full of high energy and family-friendly funnies! $10 Adult / $5 Youth (Members: $9 Adult / $4.50 Youth)…
Find out more »The Eric Carle Museum, Word Play with Center Dance Studio
Join Center Dance Studio for creative movement and narrative dance inspired by picture books: Hands Up! by Breanna J. McDaniel (September 19). Bring your imagination and your dancing feet! Program will take place inside if inclement weather. Free with Museum Admission; registration required Ages 3 and up; caregiver participation welcome Click here to register. This program is supported in part by a grant from the Amherst Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.
Find out more »The Eric Carle Museum, Special Storytime
Join author-illustrator Thyra Heder as she reads from her new picture book How Do You Dance?, a celebration of personal expression that will inspire young and old readers alike to get up and get moving. This fun-filled interactive program will include a discussion of Heder’s creative process, drawing demonstration, and dance party! And perhaps a disco ball or two. Free with Museum admission. Book signing to follow program. Can’t make it to the event? You may reserve signed books online or…
Find out more »The Eric Carle Museum, Special Storytime
Whole Book Approach Storytime with Megan Dowd Lambert; Families will enjoy a Whole Book Approach Storytime with Megan Dowd Lambert, author of Reading Picture Books with Children: How to Shake up Storytime and Get Kids Talking about What They See. Free with Museum Admission
Find out more »The Eric Carle Museum, Special Storytime
Whole Book Approach Storytime with Megan Dowd Lambert; Families will enjoy a Whole Book Approach Storytime with Megan Dowd Lambert, author of Reading Picture Books with Children: How to Shake up Storytime and Get Kids Talking about What They See. Free with Museum Admission
Find out more »