A TRIBUTE TO A CHILDHOOD HERO ERIC CARLE 1929 – 2021

The Very Hungry Caterpillar author has enchanted fans for more than five decades

- Emma Babbington

He was one of the most loved and successful children’s authors of the 20th century, best known for a greedy caterpillar who ate its way through a wide variety of food before transforming into a beautiful butterfly.

But the most famous creation by Eric Carle, who passed away surrounded by his loved ones on May 30 aged 91, was very nearly A Week With Willi The Worm. It was only Eric’s editor pointing out that a worm as a main character might not be very appealing to readers that led to the creation of The Very Hungry Caterpillar.