In the Spotlight

Northwestern, Evanston Public Library Collaborate on Exhibit of Imaginary Children's Books

October 12, 2009--Northwestern University Library and Evanston Public Library have teamed up to bring a unique exhibit of original children’s book art to the Chicago area. “An Imaginary Library: Children's Books That Don't Exist (Yet)” brings together 75 original paintings, sketches, and drawings by children's book artists from thirty different countries. Among them are many of the world's most successful and best-known artists for children, including Americans Peter Sis, David Wiesner, and Vladimir Radunsky. These artists were invited by the International Youth Library in Munich, Germany, to create an original book cover for a book that does not exist—but which someday the artist would like to create. In addition to the original artwork, the artists have supplied enough context or plot to provoke both child and adult visitors to the exhibit to use their imagination—and co-create the book, with the artists as their partners.

"An Imaginary Library" opened Friday, October 9 at the Evanston Public Library for a three-month run.

"We are so excited to partner with Northwestern in bringing this stellar exhibit to the Evanston community," says Evanston Public Library Director Mary Johns. "The international flavor captures the imagination and reaffirms the common appeal of children's literature and art."

The exhibit, which has already been staged in Japan, Greece, and Iran, had its American debut earlier in October in St. Charles. It was featured at the 8th annual regional conference of USBBY—the United States Board on Books for Young People—which brought together 250 children's librarians, authors, publishers, and other professionals from around the world to discuss international children's books. Regional sponsors of the conference included National Louis University and Dominican University's Butler Center for Children's Literature, and the Northwestern University Library.

Illustration: Too Proud a Snail, by French artist Eric Battut