Even Librarians Were Children Once

Here at the Library, the Century of the Child exhibition got us nostalgic for books that fascinated us as kids, especially those related to modern art.

We have several in the Library collection. My personal fave is Bruno Munari’s Circus in the Mist (1969). I was entranced by the way the vellum creates the feeling of deep, mysterious space. I’d be paging through it lovingly right now except that it’s currently on view in the galleries—in a play environment of the artist’s own design (Abitacolo [Cockpit] play environment, 1971).

Here are some of the other books that influenced library staff members. They’re on display in the reading room, so stop by for storytime. —jt

Faith Ringgold. Tar Beach (1991). –Lori Salmon, Library Assistant

Edward Gorey. The Gashlycrumb Tinies (1963). –Ian Goulston, Assistant Librarian, Cataloging

Bill Waterson. The Indispensable Calvin and Hobbes (1992). –Vicki Wong, Library Assistant

William Wegman. Little Red Riding Hood (1993). –Rachael Morrison, Senior Library Assistant

[insert dinosaur book here] –David Senior, Bibliographer

Paul Calle. The Pencil (1974) –Philip Parente, Senior Library Assistant

Munro Leaf and Ludwig Bemelmans. Noodle (1937). –Milan Hughston, Chief of the Library and Museum Archives

3:59 pm  •  7 September 2012  •  38 notes