Celebrated children’s author and illustrator Eric Carle is the subject of the newest Long Island Children’s Museum exhibit. “Very Eric Carle: A Very Hungry, Quiet, Lonely, Clumsy, Busy Exhibit.”

Rush to see it, since it is only running through May 12.

Developed by the Pittsburgh Children’s Museum, this is the first North American traveling exhibit for children inspired by the art of Eric Carle.

It is an astonishingly beautiful, clever and engaging play-and-learn exhibit: children step into the pages of Eric Carle’s colorful picture books.

His “Very” series, all illustrated in his hand-painted tissue paper collage technique, introduces five special insects who take journeys of discovery. Each story is a testament to Eric Carle’s love of nature, his respect for the emotional lives of children, and his recurring themes of friendship, creativity, and the power of imagination.

Each of the centers features a different interactive, immersive activity, that draws on different learning styles:

• Become the Very Hungry Caterpillar as you follow his path
  • Weave a web with the Very Busy Spider
  • Find your light with the Very Lonely Firefly
  • Make the Very Clumsy Click Beetle flip and jump
  • Compose a night symphony with the Very Quiet Cricket
  • Create artwork using many of Eric Carle’s materials and techniques
  • Enjoy a gallery of prints from Eric Carle’s “Very” book series

The mission of Long Island Children’s Museum is to connect all our communities’ children, and those who care for them, to a life of wonder, imagination and exploration. The museum’s exhibits are designed to inspire, engage, and let children discover their passions and their relationship to the world we share.

The 40,000-square-foot museum serves over 300,000 children and adults a year.

The private, not-for-profit institution chartered by the New York State Board of Regents, offers museum-based educational programs and cultural experiences, as well as an extensive community outreach program offered in schools, libraries and youth centers across Long Island.

Additionally, the Children’s Museum operates the historic Nunley’s Carousel in association with Nassau County, one of three intact Stein & Goldstein carousels still in existence.

Recognized with several honors, including the National Medal from the Institute of Museum and Library Services, LICM is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, the gold standard of museum excellence.

It is currently the only accredited children’s museum in New York State and is one of only 16 accredited children’s museums nationwide. LICM has earned 4-stars on Charity Navigator and has Platinum Transparency on Candid.   

The Long Island Children’s Museum is located on Museum Row, 11 Davis Avenue, Garden City, NY 11530, 516-224-5800, www.licm.org