ARAB TIMES, SUNDAY, MAY 30, 2021 NEWS/FEATURES 13 People & Places Obits Italy’s Carla Fracci dies Classic ‘Caterpillar’ author Carle dead NEW YORK, May 29, (AP): Eric Carle, the beloved children’s author and illustrator whose classic “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” and other works gave mil- lions of kids some of their earliest and most cherished literary memories, has died at age 91. Carle’s family says he died last Sunday at his sum- mer studio in Northampton, Massachusetts, with fam- ily members at his side. The family’s announcement was issued by Penguin Young Leaders. Through books like “Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?” “Do You Want to Be My Friend?” and “From Head to Toe,” Carle introduced universal themes in simple words and bright colors. “The unknown often brings fear with it,” he once observed. “In my books I try to counteract this fear, to replace it with a positive message. I be- lieve that children are naturally creative and eager to learn. I want to show them that learn- ing is really both fascinating and fun.” “The Very Hungry Caterpil- lar,” published in 1969, was welcomed by parents and de- lighted kids with its story of the metamorphosis of a green and Carle red caterpillar with a touch of blue and brown to a proudly multi-colored butterfl y. Originally conceived as a book about a bookworm - called “A Week with Willi the Worm” - the hero, who eats through 26 different foods, was changed to a caterpillar on the advice of his editor. It has sold some 40 million copies and has been translated into 60 lan- guages, spawned stuffed animal caterpillars and has been turned into a stage play. “I remember that as a child, I always felt I would never grow up and be big and articulate and intelli- gent,” Carle told The New York Times in 1994. ”`Cat- erpillar’ is a book of hope: you, too, can grow up and grow wings.” This image provided by HBO Max shows Jennifer Aniston, (from left), Courteney Cox, Matthew Perry, Lisa Kudrow, David Schwimmer and Matt LeBlanc in a Expressionist scene from the ‘Friends’ reunion special. (AP) Politicians like George W. Bush and Hillary Clin- ton were known to read the book to children on the campaign trail. The American Academy of Pediatrics sent more than 17,000 pediatricians special copies of the book, along with growth charts and parent hand- Television outs on healthy eating. Fellow writer and illustrator Ted Dewan called the book one of the pillars of chil- dren’s culture. “It’s almost talking about how great the Beatles were. It’s beyond reproach,” he said. Oprah, Prince Harry host discussion with Gaga, Close Carle wrote and-or illustrated more than 75 books, sometimes partnering with Bill Martin Jr. or other au- thors, but most with Carle working alone. One of his last books was 2015s “The Nonsense Show,” which A tear-fi lled reunion for ‘Friends’ actors centered on a parade of fl ying fi sh, cat-taming mice and circus animals. NEW YORK, May 29, (AP): Toward reruns available on, yes, HBO Max. and Rachel,” she said. Born to German immigrant parents in Syracuse, the end of HBO Max’s “Friends” re- The streamed reunion was delayed In an inspired way, the show inter- New York, Carle and his family returned to Germany union special, host James Corden asks for a year due to the COVID-19 pan- sperses the present-day actors reading — Nazi Germany, at the time — when he was 6. Un- the six actors to imagine what their demic. Each of the actors reportedly their lines from the coffee shop scene der the Nazis, modern, expressionistic and abstract art characters’ lives would be like today. received $2.5 million to appear in the where that kiss happened, with what was banned and only realistic and naturalistic art was Chandler and Monica would be special, according to Variety. Viewers was seen on the air at the time. permitted. married. So would Ross and Rachel. were told it was only the second time Corden is, predictably, a little too When Carle was 12 or 13, a high school art teacher With kids, of course. Same with Phoe- that Kudrow, LeBlanc, Jennifer Anis- enthusiastic, a little too reverent. would change his life by inviting him to his home, be. The only mystery was Joey, which ton, Courteney Cox, Matthew Perry “I can’t tell you how incredible it where he secretly showed his expressionist art, includ- actor Matt LeBlanc answered with a and David Schwimmer had been in a is to be here with all of you now,” he ing Franz Marc’s “Blue Horse.” Author Eric Carle reads his classic joke. room together since fi lming the series said. “We are shooting here in front of “I was used to pretty paintings with a mountain “He probably opened up a sandwich fi nale. the iconic fountain where you shot the in the background. Although I was shocked, I al- children’s book ‘The Very Hungry Cat- erpillar’ on the NBC ‘Today’ television shop in Venice Beach,” he said. It has an enormously effective open- opening credits.” ways carried that day in my heart,” Carle told NPR program in New York on Oct. 8, 2009, That’s when the disappointment of ing. A door opens at an empty Warner No jumping in the water this time, in 2011. As an illustrator, he said he chose to por- as part of Jumpstart’s 4th annual Na- “Friends: The Reunion,” which pre- tray animals in unconventional colors to show his Brothers soundstage where the old though. tional Read for the Record Day. The miered Thursday on the streaming ser- “Friends” set was in place. Schwim- While the show offers some laughs, young readers that in art, there is no wrong color. beloved children’s author and illustra- vice, hits you. How cool would it have He thanked Marc in the pages of “The Artist Who mer walks in alone, shaking his head smiles and warm, fuzzy feelings, that tor whose classic works gave millions been to take that journey? at what he sees. ultimately grows tedious. By the time Painted a Blue Horse.” of kids some of their earliest and most His signature illustration technique was done by It is what ultimately matters when He’s followed, one at a time, by Justin Bieber walks out wearing the cherished literary memories, has died. anybody reunites with friends so close Kudrow, Aniston, LeBlanc, Cox and, potato costume that Schwimmer had piecing pictures together chiefl y from tissue paper that Eric Carle was 91. (AP) he had painted with various colors and textures. “It they felt like family during the early fi nally, Perry. Tissue is produced for a Halloween episode, the nadir is sounds corny, but I think I connect with the child in adult years. How has everyone turned for Aniston and Cox’s tears, and it reached. out? Were dreams fulfi lled? Did life’s wouldn’t be the last time. me, and I think others do, too,” he told The Associated Also: Press in 2003. inevitable disappointments cut you “Does Courteney still have her lines LOS ANGELES: Oprah Winfrey and ❑ ❑ ❑ down or make you stronger? Can you written on the table?” LeBlanc said, still be friends? revealing a co-star’s secret. Prince Harry are continuing their Carla Fracci, an Italian cultural icon and former There are probably many reasons Thus begins nearly two hours of mental health series with a virtual La Scala prima ballerina renowned for romantic why the people involved didn’t try to reminiscences, helped along by gener- town hall featuring Lady Gaga, Glenn roles alongside such greats as Rudolf Nureyev and advance those stories. It would have ous clips and appearances by some of Close and others. Mikhail Baryshnikov, died Thursday at her home in been hard. Surely not everyone would the people who had been on the show. Apple TV+ announced Wednesday Milan. She was 84. have been on the same page. There’s Maggie Wheeler, who played Janice, that it will release on Friday “The Me Milan’s Teatro alla Scala announced her death always the possibility of failure. still has that grating laugh and explains You Can’t See: A Path Forward.” The without giving a cause. Italian news reports said she You want to remember the magic of how Perry inspired it. free town hall arrives a week after the had been fi ghting cancer. “Friends,” not the slog of the spinoff mental health series co-created by The Milan theater recalled the “fairytale rise” of Beyonce Clark “Joey.” Adoration Winfrey and the Duke of Sussex, “The the daughter of a tram driver who. It said that through Actress Lisa Kudrow noted the Corden asked whether any of the Me You Can’t See,” was released on “talent, obstinance and work (she) became the most show’s creators, Marta Kauffman and young, attractive actors had carried the streaming platform. famous ballerina in the world” and inspired genera- Variety David Crane, have said they worked a fl ame for one another. Aniston ex- The series features a mix of stories tions of young people. hard to give every character a satisfy- plained how she and Schwimmer had of celebrities and everyday people “Carla Fracci was a cardinal fi gure in the history ing ending when the NBC sitcom went a mutual crush in the fi rst season that and their mental health struggles and of dance and that of La Scala, but also a point of ref- CHICAGO: Kevin Clark, who played off the air in 2004.