Illustration from The Very Hungry Caterpillar copyright

© 1969 and 1987 by Eric Carle

The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art

Announces The 2024 Carle Honors Honorees

And A Special Celebration of Marlo Thomas and

the 50 ^th Anniversary of The Picture Book, Free to Be . . . You and Me

Amherst, MA (June 24, 2024) -The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, an international champion for picture book art, and its creators, has announced the 2024 Carle Honors Honorees. These distinguished individuals will be awarded at the Benefit Gala at the New-York Historical Society, in New York City, on Thursday, September 26, 2024. Now in its 17 ^th year, the gala remains focused on individuals and organizations whose creative vision and long-term dedication have had a profound effect on picture book art and the vital role they play in the children’s literature community.

“The children's book world has no shortage of awards and accolades but the Carle Honors is the only one that is designed to acknowledge the whole, far-flung community of gifted and generous people and organizations that together perform the vital work of creating the best children's books and getting them out to all who benefit from them,” said Leonard S. Marcus, Carle Trustee, children's literature historian, and chairman and founder of the Carle Honors Committee.

This year’s Honors boasts a new venue and format with the goal of inspiring the joy felt through engagement with the Museum. The presentation of awards will feature honoree tributes from Grace Lin, Dr. Claudette S. McLinn, and more. A special musical revue with Marlo Thomas and Friends will pay homage to the 50th anniversary exhibition of the book Free to Be…. You and Me , which will open at The Carle in November 2024. A reception with cocktails, food, and mingling will follow for all. In lieu of an auction, The Carle will spotlight the newest artworks added to our significant permanent collection including pieces by Ludwig Bemelmans, Lucy Cousins, Leo and Diane Dillon, Barry Moser, LeUyen Pham, Beatrix Potter, and Mo Willems, among others, and honoring those artists who contributed these works.
 

The 2024 Carle Honors honorees are:

Artist : Uri Shulevitz
Uri Shulevitz is a distinguished artist in children's literature, celebrated for his Caldecott Medal and Caldecott Honor-winning works. Born in Warsaw, he fled the German invasion and endured extreme hardship before making his way to New York. His journey is detailed in his books "Chance" and "How I Learned Geography." Now 89, he was honored with Tall Tales and Short Tales: The Art of Uri Shulevitz, a 2015 exhibition at The Carle, where he plans to leave much of his archive. Working in a wide variety of media, Shulevitz demonstrates remarkable versatility as he interprets an equally wide range of literature.

Angel : We Need Diverse Books
We Need Diverse Books (WNDB) is a non-profit organization advocating for essential changes in the publishing industry to produce and promote literature that reflects the lives of all young people. Founded in 2014 as a grassroots hashtag, WNDB has grown rapidly into a leading voice for diversity in publishing. As they celebrate their 10th anniversary this year, WNDB continues to make a significant impact through awards, grants, mentorships, internships, public programs, book lists and more. Their recent initiative, Indigenous Reads Rising, highlights their commitment to diverse voices. The award will be accepted by Ellen Oh, founding member and honorary trustee.

Bridge: KidLit TV

KidLit TV, founded by Julie Gribble, is an innovative multi-media company dedicated to bringing picture books and their creators to children worldwide through libraries, classrooms, and home computers. The platform provides access to author and artist interviews, captivating read-alouds, interactive drawing tutorials, and other book-inspired activities, making reading engaging and accessible. Recognized with a Parents' Choice Gold Award and as one of the American Association of School Librarians' Best Digital Tools for Teaching and Learning, KidLit TV is committed to fostering a love of reading in young minds. Julie Gribble will accept the award. 

Mentor : The Horn Book
Founded in Boston in 1924, The Horn Book is the world's first critical journal dedicated to children's literature. It began as a newsletter by Bertha Mahony in support of her Bookshop for Boys and Girls and has grown to include The Horn Book Magazine, The Horn Book Guide, and the prestigious Boston Globe–Horn Book Award, becoming a cornerstone in youth literature review. The Horn Book fosters contemporary literary discussions through platforms like Notes from the Horn Book, Family Reading, and Calling Caldecott. As it celebrates its 100th anniversary, it continues to shape and influence the field of children's literature.

The Carle Honors Honorees are selected each year by a committee chaired by Marcus. The committee recognizes four distinct awards: Artist, for lifelong innovation in the field; Angel , whose generous resources are crucial to making illustrated children’s book art exhibitions, education programs, and related projects a reality; Bridge, individuals or organizations who have found inspired ways to bring the art of the picture book to larger audiences through work in other fields, and Mentor, editors, designers, and educators who champion the art form.