Penguin Young Readers has announced the launch of an imprint devoted to the works of author-illustrator Eric Carle, coinciding with the 50th anniversary of Carle’s classic picture book, The Very Hungry Caterpillar. The World of Eric Carle imprint, which will exclusively publish books by Carle, will kick off in winter 2019 with three new titles: Calm with the Very Hungry Caterpillar, Eric Carle’s Book of Many Things, and Happy Birthday from the Very Hungry Caterpillar.
A recipient of the Laura Ingalls Wilder Award (now called the Children’s Literature Legacy Award), Carle has illustrated more than 70 books, many of which he also wrote; more than 145 million copies of his books have sold around the world. The Very Hungry Caterpillar has been translated into 62 languages, and sales have reached nearly 50 million copies. In 2002, Eric and his late wife Barbara cofounded the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art in Amherst, Mass., which showcases illustrations from across the globe.
Helmed by Francesco Sedita, publisher of Penguin Workshop, the new imprint will feature books emphasizing creativity, discovery, and learning. All backlist Carle titles will be rebranded under World of Eric Carle. Sedita said in a statement, “The opportunity to work closely with Eric Carle and his wonderful team is a childhood dream come true. The Very Hungry Caterpillar played a vital role in my childhood and I’m thrilled to get Eric’s art—and beautiful messages—into the hands of children for many generations to come.”
Carle said, “I am delighted that Penguin Books for Young Readers is making a special home for The Very Hungry Caterpillar and my other books with the new World of Eric Carle imprint. I hope friends and readers will enjoy my books for many years to come.”
