The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art

10/10/2026

"Julián Is a Mermaid" by Jessica Love has faced bans and challenges in the United States, limiting readers’ access to stories that reflect diverse identities and experiences.

The story follows Julián, a child fascinated by mermaids, whose curiosity and self-expression are met with encouragement from the adults around him. Through Julián’s experience, the book affirms the importance of creating space for children to explore who they are and discover the world around them.

Picture books featuring LGBTQ+ representation are frequently targeted by censorship efforts. Explore more stories and their impact in our online exhibition, "ALL: A Look into LGBTQ+ Representation in Picture Books". https://bit.ly/4xTAy3c

📚 Today marks the final day of Banned Books Week, which raises awareness of censorship and celebrates the freedom to read. What picture book has broadened your perspective, helped you feel seen, or opened up a meaningful conversation?

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🎨 Jessica Love, Illustration for Julian is a Mermaid (Candlewick Press). © 2018 Jessica Love.

10/08/2026

What kind of Fall are you feeling? 🍂

Whatever your fall favorite, there’s a picture book inspired theme for you at The Carle Bookshop!

🎁 Throughout October, every order over $75 will receive a FREE Eric Carle Pumpkin Kit! https://bit.ly/473wgJV

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🍄 Fungi Grow (Beach Lane Books). Text © 2023 Maria Gianferrari and illustrations © 2023 Diana Sudyka.

🎃 Little Bunny, Fall Is Here! (G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers). © 2025 Deborah Marcero.

🍎 The Apple Pie That Papa Baked (Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers). Text © 2007 Lauren Thompson and illustrations © 2007 Jonathan Bean.

🐝 Bruno the Beekeeper: A Honey Primer (Candlewick). © 2021 Aneta Frantiska Holasová.

👻 Gustavo, the Shy Ghost (Candlewick). © 2020 Flavia Z. Drago.

🧹 A Spoonful of Frogs (Greenwillow Books). Text © 2022 Casey Lyall and illustrations © 2022 Vera Brosgol.

🦊 Hector Fox and the Map of Mystery (Islandport Press ). © 2023 Astrid Sheckels.

10/07/2026

Come explore Jerry Pinkney's striking and soulful picture book illustrations from new angles 📚

🖼 "Soul, Sound & Voice: The Art of Jerry Pinkney" is on view through January 3. Co-organized with Woodmere.
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🎨 Jerry Pinkney, Illustration for Sweethearts of Rhythm: The Story of the Greatest All-Girl Swing Band in the World by Marilyn Nelson (Dial Books). Courtesy of Gloria Jean Pinkney. © 2009 Jerry Pinkney.

09/30/2026

How did this Eric Carle illustration evolve from an intricate fishing boat into a playful steamship?

"All Around Us" was envisioned as a collection of books with vignettes about the sky, land, sea, and even underground. At first, Eric considered creating highly detailed collages. Ultimately, he opted for more simplified shapes and a white background, which better served the early-reader series.

Eric believed in creating "books you can play with," and recognizable shapes and strong contrasts invite readers to wonder: How many stories can come from a single shape or color?

The two alternate illustrations are on view in "Eric Carle’s Modernist Inspirations" through February 28.

📆 Join us Saturday, October 3 at 1 pm for a curator-led tour of the exhibition! Gain deeper insight into Eric's visual language and the curatorial process. https://bit.ly/4AWqvMC
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🎨 1️⃣ On View September 19, 2026 to February 28, 2027:
Eric Carle, Variant illustration for All Around Us. Collection of the Eric and Barbara Carle Foundation. © 1986 Penguin Random House LLC.

🎨 2️⃣ Eric Carle, Alternate illustration for All Around Us. Collection of the Eric and Barbara Carle Foundation. © 1986 Penguin Random House LLC.

🎨3️⃣ Eric Carle, Illustration for All Around Us. Collection of the Eric and Barbara Carle Foundation. © 1986 Penguin Random House LLC.

09/28/2026

On September 17, we gathered at for the 2026 Carle Honors Benefit Gala to celebrate the incredible impact of picture books and the community that uplifts them. 🦋

Each year, we honor individuals and organizations who elevate picture book art. Congratulations to this year's honorees!

🎤Emcee: Kwame Alexander ()

💚 Artist: Bryan Collier ()
💛 Angel: Ellen Michelson
💚 Bridge: International Youth Library ()
💛 Mentor: Claudia Bedrick, Publisher of Enchanted Lion Books ()
💚 Inspiration: Robert L. Forbes ()

Thank you to everyone who joined us for this very special evening, those who celebrated with us from afar, and to everyone who follows along from home. Your support helps The Carle share the power of picture book art with audiences around the world.

09/25/2026

What patterns and textures make you feel cozy? 🛏️

Juana Martinez-Neal - Author Illustrator uses layers of gesso, acrylic paint, pencil, and graphite to give this towering stack of mattresses a rich, tactile quality in "La Princesa and the Pea". The twist on the classic fairy tale is set in Peru within the Willoq community, known for its intricate red weavings and textiles.

And if you look closely… you might spot a little surprise in the textured darkness beneath the bed. 👀

📢🖼️ Our exhibition "Weaving Words" opens November 21! Explore the connections between fiber arts and picture books over the past 60 years. https://bit.ly/3VPx4Ae
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🎨 Juana Martinez-Neal, Illustration for La Princesa and the Pea by Susan Middleton Elya (G.P. Putnam’s Sons). Museum Purchase. © 2017 Juana Martinez-Neal.

09/25/2026

Thank you Publishers Weekly for this wonderful recap of the 2026 Carle Honors! 💚

The children’s publishing industry gathered at the New York Historical in Manhattan on September 17 to celebrate the annual Carle Honors.

09/22/2026

Fall is full of color! 🍂

Happy autumnal equinox! As the world outside begins to shift into shades of red, orange, and gold, we’re celebrating the vibrant colors found in picture book art, too.

📆 Explore all the fall exhibitions, events, and activities coming up at The Carle! https://bit.ly/4rcugZK
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🎨 Eric Carle, Illustration for The Tiny Seed. Collection of Eric and Barbara Carle. © 1987 Penguin Random House LLC.

09/19/2026

Two artists, connected across generations by a shared visual language. And now, their work brings people together in the gallery, too. 💙

📢 "Eric Carle’s Modernist Inspirations" is officially open!

The exhibition traces Carle’s formative years in Germany, when his art teacher secretly introduced him to the so-called “degenerate” artists banned by the regime—including Expressionist Franz Marc.

Marc’s "Genesis" woodcut, originally intended for an illustrated edition of The Bible, bursts with animal forms and prismatic energy. Decades later, Carle’s endpapers for "The Artist Who Painted a Blue Horse" echo that same dynamic energy through bold lines and vibrant color.

🖼️ The first rotation of artwork is on view through February 28, 2027, with the second rotation on view March 6–September 6, 2027. Learn more here: https://bit.ly/4yMYV2b
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🎨💛 On view September 19, 2026 to February 28, 2027:
Eric Carle, Illustration for The Artist Who Painted a Blue Horse. Collection of The Eric and Barbara Carle Foundation. © 2011 Penguin Random House LLC.

🎨🖤 On view September 19, 2026 to February 28, 2027:
Franz Marc, Genesis: Creation of the Animals I, 1914. Gift of Mrs. John Wintersteen (Bernice M. McIlhenny), class of 1925, Smith College Museum of Art, Northampton, Massachusetts, SC 1957.72. Public domain.

09/16/2026

René Magritte 🤝 Eric Carle

What happens when artists turn the ordinary upside down?

Bonus fun fact: Both artists began their careers working in commercial art, making posters and advertisements.

🖼️ Our exhibition "Eric Carle’s Modernist Inspirations" opens this week on September 19! Come explore selections of his artwork in dialogue with works by modernist figures. https://bit.ly/4fVoBTK

📷 Magritte's "L’eminence grise" is generously on loan from our neighbors, Smith College Museum of Art.
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1️⃣ The Nonsense Show (Penguin Random House LLC). © 2015 Eric Carle.

2️⃣ Eric Carle, Alternate illustration for The Nonsense Show. Collection of the Eric and Barbara Carle Foundation. © 2015 Penguin Random House LLC.

3️⃣ René Magritte, "The Treachery of Images" copyright © 2015 C. Herscovici / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York. ; Eric Carle, Illustration for The Nonsense Show. Collection of the Eric and Barbara Carle Foundation. © 2015 Penguin Random House LLC

4️⃣ René Magritte, L’eminence grise, from Le Fidélité des Images, 1938 (print 1976). Purchased, Smith College Museum of Art, Northampton, Massachusetts, SC 1977.13.13. Public domain.

5️⃣ Eric Carle, Illustration for The Nonsense Show. Collection of the Eric and Barbara Carle Foundation. © 2015 Penguin Random House LLC.