Abeno Harukas Art Museum in Osaka has announced a new exhibition: "Eric Carle Exhibition: It Starts with The Very Hungry Caterpillar," a retrospective of beloved American picture book artist Eric Carle (1929–2021).
The exhibition is scheduled to run from Saturday, March 20, 2027 through Sunday, May 9, 2027.
About the Exhibition
The Very Hungry Caterpillar—the iconic picture book in which the page size changes with each spread and the caterpillar's bites are expressed through die-cut holes—continues to be cherished by children around the world. This exhibition is held in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the Japanese edition of the book, and is organized in full cooperation with the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art in Massachusetts, USA.
Visitors can expect approximately 180 works on display, including original artwork from 27 picture books such as The Very Hungry Caterpillar (1969), Papa, Please Get the Moon for Me (1986), and 10 Little Rubber Ducks (2005). The exhibition also showcases Carle's work from his graphic design career, dummy books created during the early conceptual stages of his projects, and the hand-painted papers he used to craft his distinctive collage illustrations.
The exhibition offers visitors the opportunity to experience the vibrant colors of Carle's original artwork, his skill as a designer and bookmaker, and the gentle warmth he brought to his stories for children.
Exhibition Overview
- Exhibition title: Eric Carle Exhibition: It Starts with The Very Hungry Caterpillar
- Period: Saturday, March 20, 2027 – Sunday, May 9, 2027
- Venue: Abeno Harukas Art Museum (Osaka)
- Co-organizers: Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, Yomiuri Shimbun, Yomiuri Television
Abeno Harukas Art Museum hosts a diverse program throughout the year. The 2026 schedule includes "Brooklyn Museum Collection: Special Exhibition Ancient Egypt" (from March 20, 2026), "Van Gogh's Bridge and the Impressionists: From the Wallraf-Richartz Museum Collection" (from July 2026), "Andrew Wyeth Exhibition" (from October 2026), and "Lucy Rie Exhibition – Elegant Vessels Connecting East and West" (from December 2026).
