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:
The Bookshop, Art Studio, and Reading Library hours are the same as the Museum.
Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Day.
Braille Storytime with Mary Westgate Free with Museum admission Join Berkshire Hills Music Academy’s Mary Westgate for a fun, music-filled storytime featuring singing, musical instruments, and braille books. WHO YOU'LL MEET MARY WESTGATE Mary Westgate has been reading Braille books and singing with children for over 10 years. Mary is a day student at Berkshire Hills Music […]
Award-winning author Mara Rockliff will share a special presentation for her new picture book biography: Signs of Hope: The Revolutionary Art of Sister Corita Kent, illustrated by Melissa Sweet. Sister Corita Kent, the “pop art nun,” burst onto the 1960s art scene with splashes of color and ad slogans transformed into messages of love, hope, peace, […]
Birds of Prey with Tom Ricardi Get a close-up look at owls and other birds of prey with Tom Ricardi, a licensed rehabilitator and wildlife biologist, and learn about the great work being done at the Massachusetts Birds of Prey Rehabilitation Center, which cares for injured birds. Then visit the exhibition Birdwatching with Eric Carle following the program! […]
Storytime with State Representative Mindy Domb FOR FAMILIES April 18, 2024 at 11 - 11:30 am Reading Library Free with Museum admission WHO YOU'LL MEET MINDY DOMB Mindy Domb was elected in November 2018 to represent the residents and communities of the 3rd Hampshire District, which includes the towns of Amherst and precincts 1 and 2A in […]
Join author/illustrator Ashley Belote for a special story time and draw along to celebrate her new picture book, Don’t Wash Winston! Book signing to follow program. Can’t make the event? You may reserve signed books online. WHO YOU'LL MEET ASHLEY BELOTE Ashley Belote is an award-winning author and illustrator of numerous picture books for children. She is the illustrator of Frankenslime and Valenslime by Joy Keller, and […]
The Carle is pleased to be participating The Highland Street Foundation’s Spring Week program. Admission to The Carle is free on Wednesday, April 17.
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.
The Barbara Elleman Research Library (BERL) Lecture: Brian Pinkney Free with Museum admission Lecture Title: The Rhythm of My Art For our 12th annual Barbara Elleman Research Library (BERL) lecture, award-winning Brian Pinkney will reflect upon his acclaimed career. Pinkney is the illustrator of several highly praised picture books including The Faithful Friend, In the Time of the Drums, […]
Join Director of Education Courtney Waring for an interactive tour exploring The Carle’s current exhibitions. Free with Museum admission REGISTER
Join The Center Dance Studio for creative movement and narrative dance inspired by Patricia Intriago’s Dot. 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.
Alphabet Soup: How Picture Books Are Made, From A to Z offering an insider's view of the many steps artists and authors take to create picture books January 13 - June 2, 2024 East Gallery From woodblocks to pixels. Twisting Tales December 20, 2023 - August 4, 2024 Reading Library Once a fairy tale casts its spell, […]
Public Tour Join Assistant Curator Isabel Ruiz Cano for a guided tour exploring The Carle’s current exhibitions. EXHIBITION Alphabet Soup: How Picture Books Are Made, From A to Z January 13 - June 2, 2024 From woodblocks to pixels.
Join us for art-making, a museum-wide scavenger hunt, films, and storytime. Guests can also meet the Very Hungry Caterpillar in our Great Hall for pictures and be part of a Wiggle Jiggle Dance Party! Schedule 1:00 - 1:30 pm - Meet The Very Hungry Caterpillar! 1:30 - 1:45 pm - Wiggle Jiggle Dance Party with The Very Hungry Caterpillar […]
Stand up to dragons and celebrate Paper Bag Princess Day! Join us for a special reading of Robert Munsch’s classic picture book, currently featured in our exhibition Twisting Tales. Participants will enjoy an interactive storytime followed by an invitation to create their own wearable art. Interested in celebrating the 5th annual Paper Bag Princess Day at your library, […]
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
February School Vacation Week February 20 - 25, 2024 The Carle is open Tuesday through Sunday during February School Vacation Week! Come for art-making, storytimes, and special guests! Everyday Art Project: The Bigger Picture! January 10 - February 25, 2024 Create your own folded drawing to expand and reveal a bigger picture! Special Storytime: Astrid Sheckels February 21, 2024 at 11 am - 11:30 […]
Inspired by the Elephant & Piggie book series by Mo Willems, First Book Friendiversary is a celebration of friendship and reading. Families with children who visit The Carle between February 7-11 will receive a FREE Elephant & Piggie book while supplies last! One book per child. During Friendiversary, buy one admission and get one admission of equal or lesser value. We are grateful to Disney Publishing for their […]
Whole Book Approach WORKSHOPS January 26, 2024 at 9:30 am - 12:30 pm Onsite at the Museum $40 $34 Members REGISTER Learn about The Whole Book Approach and discover the difference between reading with children and reading to children. (3 PDPs) Participants will explore how to evaluate the picture book as an art form with the goal of using this critical engagement with […]
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 […]
It’s The Carle Bookshop’s Annual Holiday Sale! Save 15% off your entire purchase in-store and online, including sale items. Museum Members take an additional 15%. Don’t miss the sale! Here’s all the ways you can shop with us this year: Shop online and select curbside pickup. We’ll pack you order and email you when it’s ready. No lines! […]
