Animals Are Us

Why do we tell stories to children through and about animals? Are there reasons why we shouldn’t? Animals Are Us explores these questions and more through influential historic examples of anthropomorphism in dialogue with contemporary books drawn from the collection of Peter J. Solomon (Harvard College Class of 1960, MBA 1963) and the holdings of Houghton Library.  The exhibition invites you to engage critically with animal anthropomorphism and delight in the artfulness of this enduring literary genreHighlights include:

• Original drawings for book illustrations, manuscripts and letters by Beatrix Potter, Edward Lear, John Tenniel, Lewis Carroll, Jean de Brunhoff, Garth Williams, Maurice Sendak, and Nancy Ekholm Burkert.
• The suppressed 1865 edition of Alice in Wonderland and Lewis Carroll’s pocket watch that evokes the one consulted by the March Hare.
• Contemporary children’s books by Ashley Bryan, Brenda Child, Lulu Delacre, Julie Flett, Jessica Love, Jerry Pinkney, and Dan Santat.

Animals Are Us was made possible by the generous donation of Peter J. Solomon and Susan Solomon of their outstanding collection of children’s literature to Houghton Library.

You can view the exhibit online.

The exhibition was guest curated by H. Nichols B. Clark (Harvard Class of 1969), founding director and chief curator (emeritus) of The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, and Meghan Melvin, Jean S. and Frederic A. Sharf Curator of Design in the Department of Prints and Drawings at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.