Photograph of two people reading a book together.
See full image

Eric Carle and Ann Beneduce, c. 1982. Courtesy of The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art.

Artful Collaboration: Eric Carle & Ann Beneduce

September 7, 2024 - March 9, 2025
West Gallery

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. 

Illustration of party foods.

Eric Carle, Illustration for The Very Hungry Caterpillar. Collection of Eric and Barbara Carle. © 1969, 1987 Penguin Random House LLC.

Exhibition Highlights
Illustration of abstract colored shapes.
Illustration of person dressed as butterfly.
Illustration of Friends hugging
Illustration of monkeys on a train
Illustration of Santa with farming tools.
Illustration of ducks
Illustration of colored dots.
Illustration of Ann Beneduce name in colored collage.

Eric Carle, For Ann, Merry Christmas, 1996. Collection of the Estate of Ann Beneduce. © Penguin Random House LLC.

Photograph of Eric Carle and Ann Beneduce.

Eric Carle and Ann Beneduce at 2016 Carle Honors. Courtesy of the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art.

Featured Artists

Photograph of Eric Carle smiling.

Eric Carle

Eric Carle illustrated brilliant and innovatively designed picture books for children, including his most well-known title, The Very Hungry Caterpillar. In 2002, Carle and his wife, Barbara, co-founded The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art.
Artist website