Legendary artist Antonio Frasconi turns ninety-one this year. Born in Uruguay to Italian parents, Frasconi came to New York to pursue his dream of being an artist — and was quickly recognized as one of the most innovative illustrators of his time. Best known for his intricate woodcuts and powerful social commentary, Frasconi also created a beautiful series of children’s books, inspired by the birth of his sons, Pablo and Miguel.

Western New England College presents It's Good to be an Ant by Hillary Haft Bucs. Follow a day in the life of an Ant Colony in which a sneaky wood louse sets out to eat the Queen's eggs. The worker ants of the colony, with the help of the audience, show how cooperation saves the day. The East Coast premiere of this interactive show allows for much audience participation. 

Tickets available at the Museum Admissions Desk or by calling (413) 658-1126. Price does not include Museum Admission.

Join The Carle’s bookseller, blogger, and book-lover, Andy Laties as he engages picture book artists and authors in conversation about their beginnings and their books.
Book signing to follow.

Illustration copyright 2009 by Etienne Delessert

This retrospective of Delessert surveys his distinguished career that comprises more than eighty books collectively translated into fourteen languages. From his early collaboration with Eugene Ionesco to surreal and politically-charged interpretations of Big and Bad andHumpty Dumpty, Delessert intrigues his readers, young and old, with his imaginary creatures and landscapes.

For more information about Etienne Delessert visit www.etiennedelessert.com.

copyright © 1987 by Ruth Sanderson
Illustration from ONCE UPON A TIME

Jane Yolen has enjoyed a long and distinguished career writing books for young and older children. Her ability to connect so seamlessly to such a varied audience developmentally is remarkable. In the process, she has forged deep ties to many of the artists that have illustrated her books, and through the years they have given her works from many of these collaborations. This exhibition constitutes a small selection of paintings and drawings that Yolen has amassed over the years. Among the artists included are: Kathryn Brown, Tomie dePaola, Jane Dyer, Lauren Mills, Barry Moser, Dennis Nolan, and Ruth Sanderson.

October 15, 2010 - January 23, 2011
A collaboration with the Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles and the Yiddish Book Center, this ambitious exhibition explores the evolution of Jewish picture books from illuminated manuscripts, alef-bets [books of Hebrew letters], and Passover Haggadot to stories that consider monsters [golems, dybbuks, and wild things], life in the shtetl, and the role of migration in Jewish life. Curated by Ilan Stavans, Lewis-Sebring Professor of Latin American and Latino Culture at Amherst College, and independent scholar, Neal Sokol, the exhibition comprises a “who’s who” of picture-book artists, including, among others, Mordicai Gerstein, Nonny Hogrogian, Trina Schart Hyman, Maurice Sendak, Uri Shulevitz, and William Steig. An 80-page illustrated exhibition catalog is available for purchase.

Photo by Illustration from TODAY IS MONDAY copyright © 1993 by Eric Carle

Join us for a smorgasbord of picture book art that explores the unique role food plays throughout children’s literature. The works of Eric Carle, as well as the works of other artists from our permanent collection, illustrate a range of themes, from food as basic sustenance to food as the center of family social life. For Carle, for example, food has been a leitmotif — famously, a caterpillar storing up food for its transformation into a butterfly, and with equal determination, a little boy making pancakes truly from scratch. Additional events highlighting the exhibits are planned in our reading library, auditorium, and art studio.

April 29 - November 28, 2010
In celebration/observance of the centenary of the birth of the beloved artist Leo Lionni, the Carle is mounting a small exhibition in its Central Gallery of Geraldine, the Music Mouse, borrowed from the Lionni family. The Museum honored Lionni in 2003 with a full retrospective—one of the first exhibitions mounted at the Museum. Best known for his collage technique and gentle social commentary, Lionni started to create his beautiful series of children’s books, inspired by his grandchildren, Annie and Pippo. Lionni got Eric Carle his first job when Eric returned to America in 1952, and although they were not close socially, their work shares elegant design and big stories told through humble animals.