Guess who visited the Library today?

Curious George stopped by this afternoon to learn a bit more about this history of Children's book illustration. Books from the 19th, 20th  and 21st centuries are all on view. Curious? Stop by and take look.

Hooray For Monkeys! Curious George Comes to the Chrysler

      On Thursday, I was excited to get a tour of the newly opened exhibition Curious George Saves The Day: The Art of Margret and H. A. Rey.  The exhibit, which opened on the second floor of the Museum on April 27 follows the career of Curious George creators Margret and H. A. Rey and reveals their determination and courage during a daring escape from Nazi controlled Europe.  The exhibition combines the Rey's  original artwork with archival documentation of their escape from Europe.  Young visitors are sure to enjoy a number of impressive structures that recreate scenes from the Rey's work, and perhaps best of all, a fun reading room  featuring copies of some of Curious George's best adventures.

      Regular blog readers might already know that here in the Library we've got a soft spot for monkeys, so I happen to know that Curious George and his fellow Rey creations will find number of primate friends in the galleries.  This week,  for a little Friday fun - or if you will, monkey business - I thought I'd offer a challenge to our fearless readers.  Can you tell me which work in the galleries is home to this little fellow?

If you think you know where this fellow can be found  and  one other monkey who finds a home in the Chrysler collection, post a comment with the title of both works below. First correct post wins!  Next week I'll announce the  answers.  In the meantime, I hope you'll stop in and see Curious George Saves The Day - and remember, we also always have great illustrated books for readers of all ages in the Library!  Well-behaved curious monkeys always welcome.

 - LC

Free Your Mind

You might not know this, but I’m a rebel. For one week each year I attempt to get everyone to rebel with me. I read - wait for it - BANNED BOOKS! And so should you, if you want to. The 28th Annual Banned Books Week (September 25 – October 2, 2010), promoted by the American Library Association, endeavors to raise awareness about the practice challenging and banning and its hindrance to intellectual freedom. Some books that are banned in American school and libraries might surprise you, including The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein, Charlotte’s Web by E. B. White, Winnie-the-Pooh by A. A. Milne and The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame. Childhood favorites, one and all! Sadly, across the country and around the world, these and other classics are kept out of the hands of willing readers because someone they might have never met or heard of feels that they shouldn’t be reading it for one reason or another. Defend their right to read and yours by participating in Banned Books Week. Please visit the ALA website at http://www.ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy/banned/bannedbooksweek/index.cfm to see how you can get involved. You will also find a link to the top 100 banned and challenged publications, to further encourage your personal rebellion. Think for yourself and let others do the same!

-SCM

11 Classic Children's Art Books

This summer, the Jean Outland Chrysler Library staff was excited to add a new collection for young visitors to the Museum. Our brand-new children’s book collection focuses on books about art and artists, but also features some familiar titles – such as Maurice Sendak’s Where The Wild Things Are. Last week online art journal ARTINFO.com writer Emma Allen listed the top 11 Classic Children’s Art Books [ here ] and I was excited to see that our fledgling collection already contains more than half of the books listed! Among the books from our collection that are included in the list are:

•From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by  
   E.L. Konigsburg

• Mouse Paint by Ellen Stoll Walsh

• Linnea in Monet’s Garden by Cristina Bjork

• The Uncle Andy Books by James Warhola

• Action Jackson by Jan Greenberg and Sandra Jordan

See an old favorite or a title you’d like to read – stop by, this collection’s for young minds of all ages!

- LEC

2010 Book Cart Decorating Contest Results!

The results for the 2010 Jean Outland Chrysler Library Annual Book Cart Decorating Contest are in! This year we had three wonderful and unique entries  - and when the votes were counted, it was a close race. Entering the contest this year were:

Book Cart 1"Das Popenhaus, or, The Dollhouse" by Library Interns Chelsea and Casey was full of interesting details and some familiar faces:  

 

Book Cart 2, "Draw with Harold!" by Laura was inspired by the popular children's classic Harold and the Purple Crayon. Visitors were encouraged to pick up a purple crayon (or, rather pencil) and add a drawing to the cart:

        

Book Cart 3,  "Bonjour Coco!" by Sara was inspired by the designs of Coco Chanel and brings a little of the "City o

 Lights" into the reading room with its recreation of the Eiffel Tower:

Visitors to last week's Library Open house were invited to vote for their favorite design. The winner with 40 votes was "Draw with Harold",  coming in second was the intern's detailed "Popenhaus" with 38 votes and finally, in close third was "Bonjour Coco!" with 34 votes. 

Our thanks to everyone who particpated and voted this year. If you didn't get a chance to see the carts, they'll be on view through Friday, July  30, 2010 in the Reading room.

Take a Peep at what's going on at the Chrysler Museum of Art!

The Peeps Present 10 Fun Things to Do at The Chrysler This Spring:
1. Take one last look at the Eliot Porter exhibition.
2. Enjoy a children's book.
3. Participate in Yoga for Art Lovers.
4. Try your hand at drawing in the galleries.
5. Visit the shop.
6. Talk to a helpful gallery host.
7. Take time to enjoy the tulips.
8. Check out the Boncori restoration.
9. See what's new in the Jean Outland Chrysler Library.
10. Visit the "Women of the Chrysler" website at http://www.womenofthechrysler.org/ and post to the blog http://www.womenofthechrysler.org/guestblog/

Happy Spring!

Item of The Week

Only 19 years old, Rosa Bonheur made her first entry into the Paris Salon of 1841 with “Rabbits Nibbling Carrots.” Her handling of light, color, balance and texture were well beyond her years. In that same year, Bonheur began to show and sell her bronze animals, which became wildly popular. This was the beginning of a long and full career. Bonheur worked steadily until her death in 1899. Her drawings, paintings and bronzes remain popular – particularly those of animals.

Do you know a child who loves animals and art? We’ve got a book for them! Portraits of Women Artists for Children: Rosa Bonheur is a full picture of the life of the artist in a shorter form. The book is full of surprises and fun trivia. Did you know that the Bonheur family kept a sheep in a 6th-floor apartment? Did you know that Rosa Bonheur painted publicity photos for Buffalo Bill? Please stop by the Jean Outland Chrysler Library and check out our new collection of children’s books!

By Library Assistant Sara Mason