It's time to tumble in the grass, weave a web, find a friend or become a butterfly.
Children can step into the pages of Eric Carle's colorful picture books when the new exhibit, "Very Eric Carle: A Very Hungry, Quiet, Lonely, Clumsy, Busy Exhibit," opens at the Creative Discovery Museum on Saturday, May 27.
Co-organized by Children's Museum of Pittsburgh and The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art in Amherst, Mass., "Very Eric Carle" is the first North American traveling exhibit for children inspired by the art of beloved children's author and illustrator Eric Carle.
At this play-and-learn exhibit, his classic "Very" series introduces five special insects who take journeys of discovery. Children can become the Very Hungry Caterpillar as they follow his path, weave a web with the Very Busy Spider or find their light with the Very Lonely Firefly. They can make the Very Clumsy Click Beetle flip and jump, compose a night symphony with the Very Quiet Cricket or make art using many of Carle's materials and techniques.
The exhibit also includes a gallery of prints from Carle's "Very" book series.
"We are very excited to host 'Very Eric Carle' this summer," says Henry Schulson, executive director of Creative Discovery Museum. "I loved reading the 'Very' series to my children when they were young. The exhibit is a wonderful celebration of art and nature and a great way to inspire children to be lifelong readers."
"Very Eric Carle: A Very Hungry, Quiet, Lonely, Clumsy, Busy Exhibit" will be on display at Creative Discovery Museum through Sept. 1.
The Very Quintet
Each story in the quintet of "Very" books is a testament to Eric Carle's love of nature, his respect for the emotional lives of children and his recurring themes of friendship, creativity and the power of imagination.
The messages of these books are found throughout the exhibit, inspiring visitors to think a little deeper about hope, hard work, love, belonging and persistence in their own lives.
* The Very Hungry Caterpillar is about hope. Like the little caterpillar, children will grow up, unfold their wings and fly off into the future.
* The Very Busy Spider is about work. Children learn they need to work and finish tasks despite distractions.
* The Very Quiet Cricket is about love. Crickets and people alike go in search of a suitable mate.
* The Very Lonely Firefly is about belonging. We all want to belong to a group, a family and fit in with our fellow creatures.
* The Very Clumsy Click Beetle is about persistence. Each of us faces obstacles in life, but we need to try and try again until we overcome challenges.