You may not know Eric Carle's name, but you (and your children) certainly know his work. (The Very Hungry Caterpillar, anyone?) Acknowledge his birthday this Saturday by reading one of his books, baking a caterpillar cupcake cake, making a crafts project, or visiting his museum (if you're headed to Massachusetts!).
Craft
You and your kids can make one of these Eric Carle-inspired craft projects from GummyLump.com's blog:
- Eric Carle's Mixed Up Chameleon comes to life with waxed paper, tissue paper, and googly eyes to create a colorful chameleon.
- Using colored macaroni, rice, and lentils, kids can make Brown Bear (a sensory craft) from the book Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? (shown).
- This cute caterpillar inspired by the book The Very Hungry Catepillar is made from green and red pom poms, googly eyes, paper, and yarn.
Cook
Don't let your kids get too attached to this healthy caterpillar, which was inspired by Carle's book, The Very Hungry Caterpillar. It's made with avocado, mango, chicken, and carrots.
Visit
If you're headed to Amherst, Massachusetts, be sure to stop into the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art. Current exhibitions include:
- Meet Your Friends from Japan (through September 20, 2011). The exhibit includes Japanese picture books that share similar graphic qualities or imaginative themes as those in Eric Carle's works.
- The Art of Eric Carle: Family and Friends (through September 4, 2011). To mark the 40th anniversary of the book Do You Want to Be My Friend?, this exhibit features the theme of friendship.
Hear
On July 16, 2011 at the Essex County Enviornmental Center in Roseland, NJ, preschoolers can join Ms. Barbara for a reading of The Very Hungry Caterpillar, learn about the caterpillar's metamorphosis from egg to adult, and create a caterpillar craft. Preregister for this event by calling 973-228-8776.
Bake
Use your creativity to put together a Very Hungry Caterpillar cupcake "party train." Use Coco Cake's blog post for inspiration! (Send us your completed photos, and we'll try to upload them to this page!)
Play
Download A Horse of a Different Color and have your preschooler match colors to the names of animals. Or, have her complete the maze to help Mama Bear find her cub in Is Baby Bear Hiding?
Listen
Bill Martin reads Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?
For more information on Eric Carle, his books, games, and a list of books he's written, visit his website.
