Current Exhibitions
IN THE East Gallery
Paddington Comes to America
This coming April, The Carle is proud to be the first American museum to feature the beloved bear in Paddington™ Comes to America. From 32 Windsor Gardens in London, Paddington brings with him stories of humor, compassion, and marmalade. The exhibition commemorates the 60th anniversary of the first book by Michael Bond, A Bear Called Paddington. Fifteen novels, numerous publishing formats, two television series and two successful movies have ensured the loveable bear from Darkest Peru remains as popular as ever. Original art by Paddington’s various illustrators—Peggy Fortnum, Fred Banbery, Ivor Wood, David McKee, Barry Macey, and R.W. Alley—provides comparisons of the iconic bear over time. Guests can “travel” to Paddington’s favorite sites in London posted around the gallery, stamping special London bus passes at each location.
This exhibition is generously supported by HarperCollins Children’s Books, global publisher of the Paddington Bear books since 1958 and YOTTOY Productions, long term toy partner of Paddington in the US since 2005.
IN THE West Gallery
The Art of Eric Carle: Seasons
The Art of Eric Carle: Seasons celebrates the animals, plants, and activities associated with the four seasons. Carle illustrates the wonder of nature at all times of year—hibernating bears in winter, hatching chicks in spring, colorful flowers in summer, and apple trees ripe for picking in fall. The changing seasons guide his story of The Tiny Seed, while the cycles of nature play a supporting role in Alice McLerran’s The Mountain that Loved a Bird. This exhibition features Carle’s iconic collage art from 15 picture books as well as several never-before seen watercolors.
This exhibition is made possible through the generous support of the Hsin-Yi Foundation.
IN THE Central Gallery
Eighty Years of Caldecott Books
This exhibition brings together 79 first-edition Caldecott Medal award books; the newest winner, to be announced in February 2018, will be added to the display early next year (visitors are encouraged to vote for their favorite contender!). While the books themselves are valuable artifacts, it is the art inside for which they are celebrated. Original illustrations from several titles are featured, including art by Marcia Brown, the Caldecott’s first “triple-crown” winner.
Named in honor of nineteenth-century English illustrator Randolph Caldecott, the Caldecott Medal is bestowed annually by the American Library Association to “the most distinguished American picture book for children.” Visitors will learn fun facts and test their knowledge of Caldecott trivia. Can you name the four husband-and-wife teams who have won a Caldecott Medal?
This exhibition is co-curated by Barbara Elleman and Chief Curator Ellen Keiter.
Click here to learn more about the exhibition!
