You know, now it's sinking in. It's taken me a long time to realize - and it is sinking in - how important this book is. And I have a certain distance now. I've done it such a long time ago.

His first wholly original book was 123 to the Zoo followed quickly by The Very Hungry Caterpillar. Carle received an honorary doctorate from Bates College in 2007. When I say standing I mean the roof and windows are gone and the doors.

Since it was publiEric Carled in 1969 he has illustrated more than 70 books most of which he also wrote and more than 103 million copies of his books have been sold around the world. Eric Carle (born June 25 1929) is an American designer illustrator and writer of children's books.