We’ve rounded up several exhibitions featuring the artwork of children’s book creators this season.
Created in Color: The Picture Book Art of Raúl Colón
On view at the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art in Amherst, Mass.
January 18–June 1, 2025
Organized by the National Center for Children’s Illustrated Literature, this exhibition highlights the work of children’s illustrator Raúl Colón. His catalog, often inspired by his Puerto Rican heritage, includes Angela and the Baby Jesus by Frank McCourt and Susanna Reich’s José! Born to Dance. On view for visitors will be various work from the celebrated artist, who over the span of his career has earned a Golden Kite Award, two Pura Belpré Awards, a gold and silver medal from the Society of Illustrators, two Tomás Rivera Mexican American Children's Book Awards, and more.
The 35th Annual Illustration Celebration
On view at the R. Michelson Galleries in Northampton, Mass.
Now through January 15
R. Michelson Galleries is celebrating its 45th anniversary with an exhibit curated by staff members Liz Finney, Paul Gulla, Haley Kean, Richard Michelson, and Meghan Zaremba, highlighting the work of various children’s creators such as Micha Archer, Brian Collier, Sydney Smith, Mark Teague, and more. Featured art includes the original Olivia illustrations from Ian Falconer—which are available for viewing and purchasing for the first time—a recreation of Jerry Pinkney’s studio, and more.
Journey to Joy: Rise of Representation in Children’s Picture Books
On View at the Elmer L. Andersen Library at the University of Minnesota
Now through January 24
This four-floor exhibit is presented by the Children’s Literature Research Collections and developed in consultation with award-winning children’s book Andrea Davis Pinkney and Miranker Family Curatorial Chair, Lisa Von Drasek. This exhibit highlights the work of diverse creators such as Ezra Jack Keats, Jessica Love, Meg Medina, Bao Phi, Don Tate, and contemporary Minnesota Native American illustrators Annette Lee, and Marlena Myles, Jonathan Thunder, and more. More than 300 titles are on display for visitors to explore.
Free to Be...You and Me: 50 Years of Stories and Songs
On view at the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art
Now through April 6, 2025
Marlo Thomas’s 1972 record and 1974 book of the same name has influenced a swath of children’s literature and television since its release. This exhibit, organized by guest curator Margi Hofer, features 28 original artworks by varying artists across all three books, including illustrations from the 1974 publication by Bascove and Arnold Lobel, as well as art from the 35th-anniversary book by Tony DiTerlizzi, LeUyen Pham, and Peter Reynolds.
Wild Things: The Art of Maurice Sendak
On view at the Denver Art Museum
Now through February 17, 2025
This exhibition highlighting the life and career of children’s book creator Maurice Sendak is co-organized by the Denver Art Museum and the Columbus Museum of Art in partnership with the Maurice Sendak Foundation and curated by Jonathan Weinberg, curator and director of research at the Maurice Sendak Foundation, and Christoph Heinrich and Frederick and Jan Mayer of the Denver Art Museum. On view will be the final artwork for Sendak’s picture book classic Where the Wild Things Are, as well as set designs from the Where the Wild Things Are opera and the costumes for the live-action, feature-length film. Also featured will be drawings, paintings, posters, and mockups for other books, work from Sendak’s collection and collaborations. With more than 400 pieces of art, this is the largest exhibition highlighting the artist to date.
