Opening Tomorrow! 'Eric Carle Exhibition: It all started with The Very Hungry Caterpillar' The caterpillar arrives early. Original goods and special projects too!
The Eric Carle exhibition opens on April 25 at the Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo. It features original artworks, photo spots, and exclusive merchandise.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 25, 2026 at 02:18
- 🔍 Collected: April 24, 2026 at 18:02
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 24, 2026 at 21:12 (3h 10m after Collected)
Opening tomorrow, Saturday, April 25 at the Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo, 'Eric Carle Exhibition: It all started with The Very Hungry Caterpillar'. We will inform you about the venue, exhibition original goods, and special project information.
Topic 1. The caterpillar makes a special appearance at the private viewing!
What appeared in the spacious exhibition room was... a caterpillar! Ahead of the opening of this exhibition, he specially rushed to the museum. He enjoyed the space as he pleased, viewing the artworks where he is depicted, and striking poses in front of the 'Papa, Please Get the Moon for Me' photo spot.
The caterpillar viewing artworks where he is depicted. The caterpillar striking a pose at the photo spot.
Topic 2. Inside the exhibition rooms at the Tokyo venue
This exhibition consists of 4 chapters. As the subtitle 'It all started with The Very Hungry Caterpillar' suggests, the exhibition begins with original illustrations from the picture book 'The Very Hungry Caterpillar'. 'Dummy books', which are like storyboards created during the conceptual stage of making a picture book, are also on display. For the dummy book 'Willi the Worm's Week' (replica) displayed in Chapter 1, you can see all the pages. Please feel Carle's thought process, including parts that differ from the published content.
Chapter 1 Exhibition View
In Chapter 2, we trace Eric Carle's life until he became a picture book author, and Chapter 3 delves into the picture books Carle aimed for: 'books you can play with and toys you can read'. We introduce picture books with 'tricks' that let you enter the picture book world, such as books where you look for shapes with the protagonist, and books where you move your body with animals.
Chapter 2 Exhibition View, Chapter 3 Exhibition View
Chapter 4 includes an area recreating Japan's connection with Carle, as well as his studio.
The 'Caterpillar with a Frame', which serves as the main visual for this exhibition, is also displayed here.
Chapter 4 Exhibition View
Please also pay attention to the joy of seeing things that can only be appreciated in original paintings, such as lively brushstrokes, the texture of art materials, and bouncing crayon lines.
Imagine how Carle painted the materials for his collages. There is also a caterpillar grimacing from a stomachache.
(Left) Eric Carle 'The Very Hungry Caterpillar' (Detail) 1987 Edition Cover Collection of the Eric and Barbara Carle Foundation.
© 1969, 1987 Penguin Random House LLC.
(Right) Eric Carle 'The Very Hungry Caterpillar' (Detail) 1987 Edition Collection of the Eric and Barbara Carle Foundation.
© 1969, 1987 Penguin Random House LLC.
● Photography is permitted at the 3rd-floor photo spot and on the 1st floor. Please check the exhibition official website or guidance inside the venue for details.
The exhibition rooms have spacious aisles, making it possible to view while pushing a stroller. Please ask venue staff if you need to use an elevator. Childcare services are also available, making it perfect for your child's 'museum debut'.
★ Tokyo Children's Art and Culture Platform 'TOKYO Culture Debut' Collaboration Project
Cultural Experience Childcare Service
[Dates] Sunday, May 24, Tuesday, June 2 - Sunday, June 7, Tuesday, June 9 - Friday, June 12, Sunday, July 5
*Tuesdays to Fridays 12:30-16:30 each day, Saturdays and Sundays 10:00-17:00
[Venue] Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo
● Details and application acceptance will be announced on the Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo website in early May.
Topic 3. Don't miss the exhibition's original merchandise!!
The special shop offers many original goods exclusive to this exhibition. In addition to caterpillar goods, wonderful collaborations are also in preparation.
★ familiar x Eric Carle Exhibition Original Design T-shirt
Collaboration product with 'familiar', a baby and children's brand originating from Kobe!
Eric Carle's artwork is transformed into a plaid bear silhouette. It's a wonderful design that stands out on a white background, perfect for the upcoming season.
[Price] 100, 110, 120cm 12,100 yen (tax included)
S, M, L sizes 14,300 yen (tax included)
[Sales start from May 1!]
★ ayanofukumura x Eric Carle Exhibition Original Glass Accessories
'Glass art that is both an accessory and a work of art'. A collaboration with the glass accessory brand 'ayanofukumura'! Accessories born from inspiration derived from Eric Carle's works. Please also enjoy the individual differences unique to handmade items.
[Price] Necklaces from 3,100 yen (tax included)
Pierced earrings / Earrings from 3,100 yen (tax included)
In addition to this, various acrylic stands and pop-up...
Topic 1. The caterpillar makes a special appearance at the private viewing!
What appeared in the spacious exhibition room was... a caterpillar! Ahead of the opening of this exhibition, he specially rushed to the museum. He enjoyed the space as he pleased, viewing the artworks where he is depicted, and striking poses in front of the 'Papa, Please Get the Moon for Me' photo spot.
The caterpillar viewing artworks where he is depicted. The caterpillar striking a pose at the photo spot.
Topic 2. Inside the exhibition rooms at the Tokyo venue
This exhibition consists of 4 chapters. As the subtitle 'It all started with The Very Hungry Caterpillar' suggests, the exhibition begins with original illustrations from the picture book 'The Very Hungry Caterpillar'. 'Dummy books', which are like storyboards created during the conceptual stage of making a picture book, are also on display. For the dummy book 'Willi the Worm's Week' (replica) displayed in Chapter 1, you can see all the pages. Please feel Carle's thought process, including parts that differ from the published content.
Chapter 1 Exhibition View
In Chapter 2, we trace Eric Carle's life until he became a picture book author, and Chapter 3 delves into the picture books Carle aimed for: 'books you can play with and toys you can read'. We introduce picture books with 'tricks' that let you enter the picture book world, such as books where you look for shapes with the protagonist, and books where you move your body with animals.
Chapter 2 Exhibition View, Chapter 3 Exhibition View
Chapter 4 includes an area recreating Japan's connection with Carle, as well as his studio.
The 'Caterpillar with a Frame', which serves as the main visual for this exhibition, is also displayed here.
Chapter 4 Exhibition View
Please also pay attention to the joy of seeing things that can only be appreciated in original paintings, such as lively brushstrokes, the texture of art materials, and bouncing crayon lines.
Imagine how Carle painted the materials for his collages. There is also a caterpillar grimacing from a stomachache.
(Left) Eric Carle 'The Very Hungry Caterpillar' (Detail) 1987 Edition Cover Collection of the Eric and Barbara Carle Foundation.
© 1969, 1987 Penguin Random House LLC.
(Right) Eric Carle 'The Very Hungry Caterpillar' (Detail) 1987 Edition Collection of the Eric and Barbara Carle Foundation.
© 1969, 1987 Penguin Random House LLC.
● Photography is permitted at the 3rd-floor photo spot and on the 1st floor. Please check the exhibition official website or guidance inside the venue for details.
The exhibition rooms have spacious aisles, making it possible to view while pushing a stroller. Please ask venue staff if you need to use an elevator. Childcare services are also available, making it perfect for your child's 'museum debut'.
★ Tokyo Children's Art and Culture Platform 'TOKYO Culture Debut' Collaboration Project
Cultural Experience Childcare Service
[Dates] Sunday, May 24, Tuesday, June 2 - Sunday, June 7, Tuesday, June 9 - Friday, June 12, Sunday, July 5
*Tuesdays to Fridays 12:30-16:30 each day, Saturdays and Sundays 10:00-17:00
[Venue] Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo
● Details and application acceptance will be announced on the Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo website in early May.
Topic 3. Don't miss the exhibition's original merchandise!!
The special shop offers many original goods exclusive to this exhibition. In addition to caterpillar goods, wonderful collaborations are also in preparation.
★ familiar x Eric Carle Exhibition Original Design T-shirt
Collaboration product with 'familiar', a baby and children's brand originating from Kobe!
Eric Carle's artwork is transformed into a plaid bear silhouette. It's a wonderful design that stands out on a white background, perfect for the upcoming season.
[Price] 100, 110, 120cm 12,100 yen (tax included)
S, M, L sizes 14,300 yen (tax included)
[Sales start from May 1!]
★ ayanofukumura x Eric Carle Exhibition Original Glass Accessories
'Glass art that is both an accessory and a work of art'. A collaboration with the glass accessory brand 'ayanofukumura'! Accessories born from inspiration derived from Eric Carle's works. Please also enjoy the individual differences unique to handmade items.
[Price] Necklaces from 3,100 yen (tax included)
Pierced earrings / Earrings from 3,100 yen (tax included)
In addition to this, various acrylic stands and pop-up...