On his Instagram, page his team shared Carle’s reflections on the success of The Very Hungry Caterpillar. “I think it is a book of hope,” Carle had said. “Children need hope. You, little insignificant caterpillar can grow up into a beautiful butterfly and fly into the world with your talent.” According to Carle’s family, the author passed away in Northampton, Massachusetts at his summer studio. His family members were with him. Carle is survived by a daughter and son. As the family wrote on a website devoted to Carle and his late wife Bobbie, “In the light of the moon, holding on to a good star, a painter of rainbows is now traveling across the night sky.” Since its debut in 1969 The Very Hungry Caterpillar mesmerized children and adults as it told the story of the transformation of a caterpillar to butterfly. “I remember that as a child, I always felt I would never grow up and be big and articulate and intelligent,” he said in a 1994 interview in The New York Times.”‘Caterpillar’ is a book of hope: you, too, can grow up and grow wings.” Translated in 60 languages, the book has sold 40 million copies and was even a go-to book for George W. Bush and Hillary Clinton who read it to children during their campaigns. As author and illustrator Peter H. Reynolds tweeted, “Heaven just got more colorful,” he wrote. “Eric Carle..made his mark, splashing bravely and inspiring those around him to do the same.” Next, sad movies to watch on Netflix right now.
