Childhood Classics: 100 Years of Original Illustration

Childhood Classics: 100 Years of Original Illustration from the Art Kandy Collection, organized by Landau Traveling Exhibitions in association with Art Kandy, includes more than 50 artists from 75 books, the exhibition explores the history of children’s book illustration during the last 100 years. 

Examples range from turn-of-the-century pen and ink drawings by Sarah Noble Ives for editions of Mother Goose to the most popular works of today, including the digital creations of Mo Willems (Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus). The exhibition features the unique and original art of Dr. Seuss, the iconic Wild Things of Maurice Sendak, and the popular Little Golden Books which have been a staple in many American homes since the 1940s.

21 of the artists included in the show have been recipients of Caldecott Medal awards and honors. Among the many well-known classic illustrators featured are Garth Williams, Rosemary Wells, Richard Scarry, Arnold Lobel, Tomie dePaola, and Hilary Knight; other more recently celebrated illustrators include Chris Van Allsburg, Gerald McDermott, Chris Raschka, Jerry Pinkney, and David Shannon. Beloved characters of literature include Babar, Eloise, Madeline, the Cat in the Hat, Stuart Little, and Dick & Jane.

The exhibition coincides with the centennial year of the Carnegie Arts Center’s original building, which was the community’s public library from 1916-1968

Credit: Exhibition overview from museum website