The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art

In 2002, The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art opened in Amherst, MA. My wife Bobbie, loved art and children – she worked in the field of special education. She was a tremendous guiding force as we embarked on this project, created a Board of Directors and hired staff in the early years of the Museum’s life.

It has been said that picture books are an introduction to literature for the very young reader. Bobbie and I wanted to build a museum that would be for the first-time museum visitor: an introduction to the experience of looking at art. We were interested in developing enthusiasts for the art of picture books and in encouraging the habit of museum going in our younger visitors. And we wanted to show the highest examples of that art to demonstrate the beauty, the seriousness, and the fun of it. We wanted to create a museum that exhibits the work of national and international picture book artists. And while we didn’t know this would happen, we were thrilled that the Museum became a home for so many illustrators. A place for picture book artists to exhibit their work and know that it would be cared for and loved by the Museum staff and community. In 2015, sadly, Bobbie passed away. But our shared dream of a place where picture book art is enjoyed and honored continues. Bobbie’s Meadow, an outdoor space at the Museum is a beautiful wildflower meadow and outdoor space created in memory of my dearest Bobbie.