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CHILDREN'S BOOK ILLUSTRATIONS FEATURED AT LIBRARIES Illustrations of enchanting places, animals and people have always drawn children to books and encouraged reading. |
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| It is our
hope that illustrations will draw them into our libraries
as well. The Williamsburg and James City County Libraries in Williamsburg, Virginia each hold an impressive collection of original illustrations from a variety of children's books. The idea for having such a collection developed from a retrospective show of children's illustrators who had visited the Williamsburg Regional Library to celebrate the opening of the James City County facility. Youth Services Director Noreen Bernstein and Youth Services staff member Reba Friedrich contacted all of the illustrators who had visited the library from 1988 to 1997 and coordinated the show. Every one of the illustrators contacted sent illustrations to be included in the display. Because it was well received, the library foundation allocated undesignated gifts it had been given to purchase illustrations that formed the beginnings of the permanent collection at the James City County Library. The collection includes works by Norman Bridwell (author and illustrator of the "Clifford" series), Caldecott winner David Wisniewski, Caldecott honor winning artist Janet Stevens, James Ransome and others. The Williamsburg Library's collection is the result of a generous gift from Mrs. Helen Lee. Her gift for the core collection at the Williamsburg Library was made in memory of Susanne Sherville Austin, an aspiring illustrator. Included are works by some of the same artists featured at the other library location including Gail Gibbons. There are also illustrations by Jody Wheeler and Alexander Wallner's work from Laura Ingalls Wilder. Featured on the plates that identify each piece is one of Susanne's illustrations. The most recent addition to the Williamsburg Library’s collection is artwork from the title page of Peter Catalanotto’s "A Day at Damp Camp." It hangs in the Youth Services area for all to enjoy. Both collections are on permanent display and are available for viewing during regular library hours. Those interested in contributing toward the purchase of illustrations are encouraged to contact Benjamin Goldberg at (757) 259-4042 or via email at bgoldber@mail.wrl.org for further information. |
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