Through picture books, readers embark on visual journeys that engage all of the senses and encourage curious, imaginative, and thoughtful interactions with the world around them. Since 1938, the Association for Library Service to Children, a division of the American Library Association, has recognized the significant impact of art on early reading experiences, awarding the Caldecott Medal for excellence in this area. Named in honor of nineteenth-century English illustrator Randolph Caldecott, the prestigious and highly coveted medal is awarded annually to the illustrator of the most distinguished American picture book for children. The exhibition Young at Art: A Selection of Caldecott Book Illustrations includes original illustrations from Caldecott Medal recipients and from “runner-up” Honor books, as well as other illustrations by award-winning artists.

It opens May 17 at Edmond History Museum.

This exhibition of works from Wichita Falls Museum of Art’s permanent collection celebrates the vision and talent of twenty-eight award-winning artists, including the first Caldecott Award recipient Dorothy P. Lathrop (1938), twotime winner Chris Van Allsburg (1982, 1986), and Maurice Sendak (1964), whose work Where the Wild Things Are, like Van Allsburg’s Jumanji and The Polar Express, was adapted for the big screen. These illustrations are widely recognized not only as artistic classics in children’s literature but also as the source of countless beloved memories for the young and young at heart.

The Caldecott Collection of Children’s Book Illustrations is part of the permanent collection of the Wichita Falls Museum of Art at Midwestern State University, Wichita Falls, Texas. The museum has collected children’s book illustrations for more than fifty years. Curated by Danny Bills, curator of collections and exhibitions at Wichita Falls Museum of Art, and organized by Wichita Falls Museum of Art at Midwest ern State University, Young at Art is part of ExhibitsUSA, a program of Mid-America Arts Alliance. A program of ExhibitsUSA, a national division of Mid-America Arts Alliance with Oklahoma Arts Council and The National Endowment for the Arts.

Exhibition: Young at Art: A Selection of Caldecott Book Illustrations

Host Organization: Edmond History Museum

Runs: May 17-June 18

Gallery Hours: Tuesday through Friday: 10 AM to 5 PM; Saturday: 1-4 PM

Location: 431 S. Boulevard, Edmond, OK 73034

Admission: Free

Contact: 405-340-0078; www. edmondhistory.org

Special Events: Throughout the exhibit’s run, the museum will be hosting a variety of special programs.

Gallery Adventures: Free program designed for children age 5 and under. Introduce children to the joys of museums with our Gallery Adventures program. Programs will include an exploration activity in the museum gallery, story time, and songs! May and June will take place in a traveling exhibit called Young at Art: A Selection of Caldecott Book Illustrations.

May Theme: Animal Extravaganza: May 19th, 20th, 21st at 10 AM

June Theme: Transportation Station: June 11th, 16th, 17th at 10 AM.

Storybook Stuffed Animal Sleepover: June 3rd at 7 PM. On June 3rd at 7 PM, the Edmond History Museum presents a storybook theme for the popular stuffed animal sleepover! Participants will come to the museum at 7 PM for a craft and story time with their stuffed animals. Their stuffed animals will stay the night at the museum and explore Young at Art: A Selection of Caldecott Book Illustrations and behind-the-scenes areas at the museum. Registration is $2 per stuffed animal and is available at EdmondHistory.org

Children’s Book Trivia at the Museum: June 4th at 2 PM. Visit the museum on June 4th at 2 PM for a Children’s Book Trivia competition. This family-friendly trivia competition will start at 2 PM and run until 2:45 PM. Join us for a chance to show off your children’s book knowledge and win some prizes.

Storybook Festival and Jumanji in the Park: On June 11th from 4 PM to dusk, join the museum for a Storybook Festival! This event will feature games, a costume parade, and craft activities all about our favorite storybooks! Children are encouraged to dress as their favorite storybook character for the costume parade at 6pm. At dusk, join us for a free outdoor screening of Jumanji in Stephenson Park. Jumanji in the Park is presented by Healthcare Express and Downtown Edmond.

About ExhibitsUSA

This exhibition is toured by ExhibitsUSA, a national program of Mid-America Arts Alliance. ExhibitsUSA sends more than twentyfive exhibitions on tour to over 100 smalland mid-sized communities every year. These exhibitions create access to an array of arts and humanities experiences, nurture the understanding of diverse cultures and art forms, and encourage the expanding depth and breadth of cultural life in local communities. For more about ExhibitsUSA, email MoreArt@maaa.org or visit www.eusa.org.

About Mid-America Arts Alliance

Mid-America Arts Alliance (M-AAA) strengthens and supports artists, cultural organizations, and communities throughout our region and beyond. We achieve this primarily through our national traveling exhibition programs, innovative leadership development, and strategic grant making. We are especially committed to enriching the cultural life of historically underserved communities by providing high quality, meaningful, and accessible arts and culture programs and services. We believe in more art for more people. Additional information about M-AAA is available at www.maaa.org.

About Edmond Historical Society & Museum

Edmond Historical Society & Museum is open 10:00-5:00 Tuesday – Friday and 1-4:00 Saturday. Admission is free.