"Draw Me a Story: A Century of Children’s Book Illustration" To Open at Laman Library

Featuring illustrations from "Where the Wild Things Are," "Harry Potter," "Max's Birthday" and more

NORTH LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (April 29, 2010) -- A good children’s picture book still has the power to whisk young minds off to another time and place — even in today’s world of computer games and high-definition TV. "Draw Me a Story: A Century of Children’s Book Illustration," opening June 16 at the William F. Laman Public Library System, explores one hundred years of bold adventures, classic fairy tales, amazing animals, and imaginative ABCs, all seen through the eyes of forty-one artists who have created works especially for children.

Originating from the Cartoon Art Museum in San Francisco, "Draw Me a Story" features 40 original works of art and 13 books in a 130-year thematic and nostalgic journey through the history of children’s book illustrators and illustration techniques. Including such well-known artists as Maurice Sendak, Ralph Caldecott, Kate Greenaway, W.W. Denslow, William Steig, Edward Ardizzone, Lois Lenski, Tomie DePaola, Rosemary Wells, Patrick McDonnell, and Chris Van Allsburg, this exhibition explores the process of illustration and its evolution over time, from simple, traditional media to more experimental combinations of pen, pencil, paint, and ink. Not only do these images reveal the artist’s hand and mind at work, but also they offer glimpses into the social and aesthetic trends of different periods from the 1870s to 2006.

Sponsored By CustomXM of North Little Rock, "Draw Me a Story" can be viewed at Laman Library's main branch at 2801 Orange St. in North Little Rock from June 16 through August 11. The exhibit hall, built to American Association of Museums standards, will be open 10 a.m.-8 p.m., Monday-Thursday; 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Friday and Saturday; and closed on Sunday. (Exhibit hall hours differ from the library's hours of operation.) Admission is free.

"Draw Me a Story" is curated by artist and illustrator Leslie A. Przybylek, Curator of Humanities Exhibitions for Mid-America Arts Alliance in Kansas City, Missouri, and is organized by the Cartoon Art Museum in San Francisco, California. The exhibition is toured by ExhibitsUSA, a national program of Mid-America Arts Alliance. ExhibitsUSA sends more than 20 exhibitions on tour to more than 100 small- and mid-sized communities every year. Mid-America is the oldest nonprofit regional arts organization in the United States. More information is available at www.maaa.org and www.eusa.org.

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