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Noted Children's Author and Illustrator Eric Carle Receives IMCPL's Prestigious Vonnegut Award for Literature

Library News & Announcements RSS Feed May 15, 2008

The 2008 recipient of the Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library's 'Vonnegut Award for Literature,' Eric Carle, is shown with (from left to right) Nanny Prior, the daughter of Kurt Vonnegut, Jr., Chris Cairo, IMCPL's Director of Project Development, and wife Barbara
The 2008 recipient of the Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library's 'Vonnegut Award for Literature,' Eric Carle, is shown with (from left to right) Nanny Prior, the daughter of Kurt Vonnegut, Jr., Chris Cairo, IMCPL's Director of Project Development, and wife Barbara.

The creator of the classic children's work, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, Eric Carle, is the latest recipient of the Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library's esteemed "Kurt Vonnegut, Jr. Award for Literature."

The award was presented at IMCPL's 31st Annual McFadden Memorial Lecture on April 25 at North Central High School where Carle was this year's lecturer.

The internationally-loved The Very Hungry Caterpillar, published in 1969, helped bridge the gap between a touchable book and readable toy. Carle's other groundbreaking books included Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? and 1, 2, 3, to the Zoo.

The Vonnegut Award, a custom-designed metal sculpture inscribed with Vonnegut's famous self-portrait, was created as a tribute to the City's own legendary literary son. It is presented each year to an important national or international literary figure who presents the McFadden Lecture.

In 2007, the inaugural award was presented posthumously to its namesake during the McFadden Lecture given by Mark Vonnegut in his late father's place. Two other past McFadden lecturers were presented the award in 2007, young adult authors Louis Sachar and Richard Peck.