The natural history is a source for smiles, the illustrations in collage and paint are little works of art The Times Educational Supplement Carle's books all have an educational element -- they teach about animals, numbers, colours and nature -- but a big part of their appeal is that they are not didactic or laboured, but light and entertaining. There's warmth and humour there too. Junior

Eric Carle is an internationally bestselling and award-winning author and illustrator of books for very young children. Eric lives in Massachusetts with his wife, Barbara. The Carles opened The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art in Massachusetts in 2002. Bill Martin Jr. was a teacher, writer and poet, and held a doctoral degree in early childhood education. His many books pay testament to his ability to speak directly to children. Bill lived the latter part of his life in Texas, where he died in 2004.