Together with his wife Barbara, Eric Carle, the author and illustrator of more than 70 books, including the 1969 classic The Very Hungry Caterpillar, founded the museum.

[2] The Museum's stated goal is to foster connections between visual and verbal literacy and to provide visitors of all ages and backgrounds with the opportunity to explore their own creativity and the confidence to appreciate and enjoy art of every kind.

[citation needed] The Carle Honors is an annual awards and fundraising event hosted by the museum.

Each year the event honors artists and authors who have made an impact in the genre of picture books.

[5] In 2009, Putnam/Philomel published Artist To Artist: 23 Major Illustrators Talk to Children about Their Art, with contributors including Mitsumasa Anno, Quentin Blake, Carle, Tomie dePaola, Leo Lionni, Barry Moser, Robert Sabuda, Maurice Sendak and Rosemary Wells.