Events | September 12, 2013

Eric Carle Book Signing, Pre-Launch of <i>Friends</i> Book

Amherst, MA (September 11, 2013)—The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art is pleased to announce that Eric Carle will be signing books at the Museum on September 21 at 10:00 am (members 9:00 am). The Carle Bookshop is proud to offer guests the one-day only opportunity to purchase Eric Carle’s new picture book Friends before its official November release date.  A limited number of copies are available. The signing is free with Museum Admission.

The book signing will accompany The Carle’s exhibition The Art of Eric Carle: Friends, which opens September 17, 2013. “The Museum is thrilled to showcase the artwork in Eric’s new book and to be the first to offer the book for sale,” says Executive Director Alexandra Kennedy. “Visitors will have the opportunity to learn more about Eric, see some early drafts of his work, and reflect on friendship as his source of artistic inspiration.”

About the Book and Exhibition

Illustrated with his signature colorful, tissue-paper collages, Friends tells a story about perseverance, love, and childhood. When a little boy’s best friend moves away, the boy braves harsh weather, tall mountains, and long distances to reunite with her.

Friends was inspired by many of my own friendships,” says Carle. “One that I had as a three-year-old boy, another as a six year old when I was taken by my parents to Germany, and another as a young man when I arrived back in the United States with my portfolio in hand. I have always believed that friendship is very important. I know it was for me as a child. I can still remember my strong attachments and feelings for my friends when I was a boy.”

Carle’s initial version of the book was about marriage rather than friendship, and he reworked it to keep the story child-like. The exhibition features the finished art from the book as well as preliminary drawings and mock-ups, emphasizing Carle’s rigorous editing process.

Signing Guidelines

A limited number of tickets to the signing will be distributed to visitors on the day of the event. The general public may enter at 10:00 am. Museum Members may enter from 9:00 to 9:45 am. No tickets are available in advance. A limited number of copies of Friends will be available on September 21 only at The Carle Bookshop.

  • Limit 3 books total per ticket holder (includes 1 book from home per group or family)
  • No personalization
  • Eric will be signing books only
  • No flash photography allowed

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. Museum hours are Tuesday through Friday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday 12 noon to 5 p.m. Open Mondays in July and August and during MA school vacation weeks. Admission is $9 for adults, $6 for children under 18, and $22.50 for a family of four. For further information and directions, call 413-658-1100 or visit the Museum’s website at www.carlemuseum.org.