Eric Carle's Immersive Exhibition Returns to Pittsburgh Children's Museum

An immersive exhibition based on Eric Carle's beloved children's books returns to the Children's Museum of Pittsburgh this spring. 'Very Eric Carle: A Very Hungry, Quiet, Lonely, Clumsy, Busy Exhibit' opens on May 23 and runs through September 6. The interactive installation originally debuted at the museum in June 2015 and has since traveled to 27 venues across 19 states, attracting over two million visitors. Drawing from Carle's quintet of 'Very' books—including 'The Very Hungry Caterpillar'—the show invites visitors into nature-filled environments inspired by his collage techniques. Museum executive director Jane Werner, who helped conceive the original exhibition, developed an admiration for Carle's work while reading his books to her own children. In 1999, after becoming executive director, Werner's institution presented Carle with the Great Friend of Children Award. The exhibition teaches early learning concepts like counting and sizes alongside moral principles such as patience and empathy. Hands-on activities include a field of four-foot-tall grass blades in 'The Very Clumsy Click Beetle' section.