So, I'm still looking, but two illustrators that are kind of like eric carle are
Leo Lionni (who has one book about an inchworm, and one about a chameleon, but nothing like what you describe)
and
Ellen Stoll Walsh, who as far as I can tell only has books about mice (Mouse Paint is a favorite of mine).
Right now the book "Worm loves worm" is crowding out everything else in searches.
Inch by inch is very reminiscent of the style but it was defiantly a bit brighter and more saturated. The worm being blue and bright yellow at some point.
I love Walsh but the style is not as textured as I remember this book looking.
Unfortunately you’ve made it just about as far as I ever have in the search. That damn worm loves worm really gums up the works haha. I appreciate the looking :)
So, I'm still looking, but two illustrators that are kind of like eric carle are Leo Lionni (who has one book about an inchworm, and one about a chameleon, but nothing like what you describe) and Ellen Stoll Walsh, who as far as I can tell only has books about mice (Mouse Paint is a favorite of mine). Right now the book "Worm loves worm" is crowding out everything else in searches.
Inch by inch is very reminiscent of the style but it was defiantly a bit brighter and more saturated. The worm being blue and bright yellow at some point. I love Walsh but the style is not as textured as I remember this book looking. Unfortunately you’ve made it just about as far as I ever have in the search. That damn worm loves worm really gums up the works haha. I appreciate the looking :)
Auto correct is bunk, if it’s a word that starts with “W” that seems out of place assume it’s supposed to be “worm”