The Very Wonderful Eric Carle
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By Debra Lau Whelan -- School Library Journal, 10/21/2009 2:10:00 PM
Eric Carle, 80, says he’s officially retired. SLJ caught up with the legendary author and illustrator to talk about the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art and how he spends his time these days.
It’s been a while since your last book. Can we expect another any time soon?
I’m in retirement mode. I haven’t done a book in a couple of years. I don’t feel like doing another one, and I doubt that I will. My last book was Baby Bear, Baby Bear, What Do You See? (Holt, 2007).
When did you decide it was time to retire?
About four or five years ago. We sold everything we had up in Massachusetts, and we have a house now in the Florida Keys and one in Blue Ridge Mountains, North Carolina. And we switch between the two. We’re real retirees now.
Why stop working when you’re so successful?
I’ve worked hard all my life, right out of school. I had my first job when I was 20 years old, and I’ve working ever since, paying taxes, alimony, a psychiatrist—everything—I’ve paid it. So I’ve had enough of that.
Are you focusing your energies on the museum now?
No, that’s done by the museum people. I am surrounded by wonderful people at the museum. Motoko Inoue is my assistant who has been with me for 17 years. There’s someone who looks after the money and business part. The two of them handle everything. They just give me things, and I sign it. I don’t know what I sign.
The museum is such a success. You must be happy with it.
Very, very. You know, it was not easy. It was a good idea, but then when we got into the actual part of doing it, it was frightening at times. But now it’s so wonderful. Nick Clark is the curator. Alex Kennedy is the director. They’re such a wonderful staff. We’re so lucky. We trust everybody. Twice a week I get mail and sign what needs to be signed, we talk about a few things. It’s incredible really.
Whose idea was it to create a museum?
My wife and I. We are the founders and Hampshire College gave us seven and a half acres as a gift to build the museum on. And some of the money comes from my publishers and friends, and some from us.
Are you involved in the daily decision making or the exhibits?
No, not any more. The Eric Carle Museum is independent of me now. They are so efficient and they love their jobs. It’s just amazing. When my wife and I started thinking about the museum 15 years ago, we went through times when we were so enthusiastic and at other times, we woke up in the middle of the night and stuck our heads in the pillows and said, “What are we doing?, What are we doing?” But it all worked out.
What do you do with your time these days?
Oh, not much. I get up late. Have breakfast for a long time. Play a game of solitaire. I have a studio, and I do little things. I do some posters for friends. There is a school in Spain that asked me to do a poster, and I did that for them. For the 40th anniversary of The Very Hungry Caterpillar, I did some promotional materials. And I’ve developed some interests. I’ve been photographing close-up spray cans you see in the street with construction people. They’re beautiful abstract photos, beautiful abstractions.
Are you planning to do anything with these photographs?
They’re just for fun. I like textures, grass, leaves, bark, and water in a swimming pool. I photograph all of them just for fun. It’s amazing what you can see, the scribbling on the street, parking lots, the white lights, and the blue light. That’s what I do for fun.
My daughter’s preschool celebrates your work for an entire month, and she loves Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? (Holt, 1983). Do you have a favorite?
Do You Want to Be My Friend? (HarperCollins, 1971) because it’s about friendship, which is very important.
