艾瑞·卡爾：為孩子閃亮的星星

江西 江海連

艾瑞·卡爾，國際兒童文學大師、繪本作家，他一生創作了超過70 本圖書。《好餓的毛毛蟲》是其最為著名的作品，被翻譯成70 多種語言，銷量超過5,500 萬冊。他的個人圖畫書美術館，更是美國第一個圖畫書美術館。

Eric Carle, the author and artist behindThe Very Hungry Caterpillarand dozens of other children's books,passed away at the age of 91.Mr Carle's lively, creative, and colorful works were loved by children around the world.

Mr Carle was the author or illustrator (插圖畫家)of over 70 books for children, includingThe Grouchy Ladybug, The Mixed-Up Chameleon, and

Papa, Please Get the Moon for Me. Mr Carle and his books have won many awards,including the Laura Ingalls Wilder Award.The Very Hungry Caterpillarwas Mr Carle's best-known book. It was published in 1969. Since then, over 55 million copies of the book have been sold, and it has been translated into more than 70 different languages.

Mr Carle was born in Syracuse, New York in 1929. His parents were Germans. As he was growing up, Mr Carle spent a lot of time with his father, who would take him out walking in nature. His father would show him small creatures, explaining their life cycles and filling the young boy's head with wonder. This helps explain why so many of his books are about nature. Many are about bugs like crickets,fireflies,ladybugs,and butterflies.Others are about animals,like foxes,squirrels,kangaroos and bears.

Most of Mr Carle's books are meant for younger readers. He said that he wanted to help make school a fun and welcoming place.“I believe that children are naturally creative and eager to learn,”he said.“I want to show them that learning is really both fascinating and fun.”

Children around the world responded to Mr Carle's works, and Mr Carle responded to this enthusiasm. Mr Carle worked hard to reach out to students and teachers. He talked freely about how he created his art, and he encouraged kids to create their own. Mr Carle will be missed, and his creative art and sweet,funny stories will continue to bring joy to very eager readers all around the world.

Reading Check

1.What does the second paragraph mainly talk about?

A.Famous illustrators for children's books.

B.Different languages around the world.

C.Writing styles of children's books.

D.Masterpieces of Mr Carle.

2.What can be inferred about Carle's father?

A.He was born in New York.

B.He influenced Carle's works a lot.

C.He married an American woman.

D.He wrote many books about animals.

3.Most of Carle's books focus on.

A.life

B.technology

C.nature

D.people

4.What's the author's attitude to Carle's works?

A.Neutral.

B.Indifferent.

C.Favourable.

D.Tolerant.

Language Study

Useful expressions

be loved by 受……喜愛

be translated into...被翻譯成……

grow up 長大

be meant for 為……而準備的

be eager to do 渴望去做

respond to 對……作出反應

bring joy to sb 給某人帶來歡樂