Doylestown is located on the ancestral homelands of the Lenape people.

Date of Visit: February 14, 2026

On Valentine’s Day, when many couples were celebrating with romantic dinners, we took a family road trip to see the newest family exhibit at the James A. Michener Museum in Doylestown

“Small Living Things: The Magical Art of Eric Carle” opened on February 14. The exhibit, organized by the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art in Amherst, Massachusetts, brings the work of the acclaimed children’s author and illustrator to Pennsylvania for a three-month stay.

While our kids, especially two-year-old Lukas, were excited to see the titular character of The Very Hungry Caterpillar and the rest of Carle’s iconic characters, Julie and I enjoyed learning more about the artist’s process. 

There are early examples of his work, including a butterfly that isn’t quite as colorful or defined as the insect that emerges in the “The Very Hungry Caterpillar.” 

Sketches and dummy panels also featured heavily in the exhibit with many examples of first drafts, test layouts, and animals that didn’t make the final cuts. Also on display are dummy books, where Carle played with the unique story layouts, like the ever-increasing panel size in “The Grouchy Ladybug.” 

As told by the commentary in the exhibit, “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” is actually one in a quintet of books that not only are made to be interactive, but explore feelings and concepts of hope, work, love, belonging, and persistence.

And all of the books are available to read on beanbags or plush logs set up inside the exhibit – or in one of two side rooms that have also been set up with tables full of books and puzzles. 

You can even snap a selfie with a larger-than-life sculpture of the Very Hungry Caterpillar.

While Julie and I enjoy learning more about the artist and his work, our eight-year-old (Jakob) was busy counting snakes, butterflies and fireflies. The scavenger hunt was one of four activities in the children’s activity book available at the exhibit. 

Because we visited on the exhibit’s opening day, we also had the opportunity to take in the family-friendly opening reception which featured two hands-on experiences: build-your-own creatures and Valentine’s Day cut-paper cards. 

The latter was a semi-guided build using Crayola Model Magic clay. Julie helped our youngest (Lukas) make his own green caterpillar while Jakob made a cobra out of red and black coils.

While the Museum won’t repeat the programming from the opening reception, there are plenty of events planned to help families interact with Eric Carle’s work, including gallery tours, paper insect making, animal encounters and a “giant food” making workshop where visitors can create their own larger-than-life food items like those from The Very Hungry Caterpillar. 

The Michener Museum is also running a companion exhibit titled “Creatures from the Collection,” a small showcase of works featuring animals big and small from the Museum’s permanent collection. It’s located in a small gallery adjacent to the Eric Carle exhibition and stretches to include paintings, works on paper, and sculpture of animals large and small. There’s even an “Old McDonald” section that highlights works depicting farm animals. 

Of course, the Michener has plenty of other exhibits showcasing works from the permanent collection, which has a heavy emphasis on fine craft and American impressionism. 

And on your way to or from the Museum, be sure to stop for a photo with the caterpillar perched on the Bucks County sign outside. 

“Small Living Things: The Magical Art of Eric Carle” is on display through May 24, 2026.

James A Michener Art Museum
138 S. Pine Street
Doylestown, PA 18901

More Things to Do in Bucks County