A very hungry crayon
Eric Carle, whose hungry caterpillar served as the logo for the L.A. Times Festival of Books earlier this year, will be presented with a special crayon today in Massachusetts. In a public event at Amherst's Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, Crayola will present the children's book author and artist with a 5-foot-tall crayon, in the color they've named Very Hungry Caterpillar Green.
It's the first such award in five years. The last recipient was Oprah Winfrey, who received a "The Color Purple" crayon, which was, not surprisingly, purple.
2009 marks the 40th anniversary of the publication of "The Very Hungry Caterpillar," a book that's both beautiful and -- with the holes the caterpillar "chews" through its pages -- delightfully surprising. It has sold 29 million copies in 45 languages. Creator Carle celebrates his 80th birthday this year.
Attendees will be treated to ice cream and cake and get their own caterpillar-green crayons today only, while supplies last.
-- Carolyn Kellogg
Image: "The Very Hungry Caterpillar," by Eric Carle. Credit: Eric Carle / Philomel Books
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Great posting on “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” celebration! Even adult readers and writers can appreciate all Eric Carle has brought to generations of imaginations. I was so inspired, I had to comment further: www.sarahmccoy.wordpress.com
Posted by: Sarah McCoy | August 23, 2009 at 07:01 PM
What a lovely tribute to a wonderful author! Mr. Carle's book has instilled such delight to so many children, they will adore having a special coloured crayon to create their own caterpillars with. What would the world be like without Crayola to tint our creative juices with?
Posted by: Lorraine | August 24, 2009 at 11:54 AM