Artful Collaboration: Eric Carle & Ann Beneduce

The author-editor relationship is a collaborative partnership built on mutual respect, trust, and a shared commitment to creating the best possible work. It can also be a highly personal alliance. Eric Carle and editor Ann Beneduce worked together over five decades and developed a steadfast friendship. Ann published the first picture book Eric wrote and illustrated—1, 2, 3 to the Zoo in 1968—and she played a vital role in bringing The Very Hungry Caterpillar to life the following year. Eric followed Ann as she moved to different publishing houses, including Philomel, the imprint she created in the early 1980s. Ann continued to edit Eric’s books even after her retirement, including the 2015 publication The Nonsense Show. “Ann had the greatest influence on me,” acknowledged Eric. “We were well suited for each other.” 

What to Expect

This exhibition explores the 50-year professional relationship between the beloved picture book artist, Eric Carle, and the legendary picture book editor, Ann Beneduce. It includes never-before-exhibited art, correspondence, and photographs.