EXHIBITIONS 

It’s Me, Eloise: The Voice of Kay Thompson and the Art of Hilary Knight
February 12, 2017 – June 4, 2017

More than 60 years after her debut, Eloise remains a six-year-old star. What accounts for her enduring appeal? Perhaps it is her sly face transfigured with successful sin, that endearing potbelly, or the extravagant world in which she lives. Whatever her magic, Eloise’s charm comes down to two things: that audacious voice and those filigree illustrations. The voice was cabaret star Kay Thompson’s, a comic riff with which she amused her friends. The pictures came from the pen of a young artist, Hilary Knight. Their unlikely collaboration was the alchemical formula from which the successful Eloise series was born.

It’s Me, Eloise: The Voice of Kay Thompson and the Art of Hilary Knight includes more than 90 artworks from the Eloise collaborations—as well as art from the rest of Knight’s prodigious career as a children’s book artist, poster artist, magazine illustrator, and painter. Never before-seen artwork from Knight’s archive include his 1954 trial drawings for the first Eloise book, two Eloise In Paris sketchbooks, a Hollywood notebook with a double-page spread of Thompson belting out “Think Pink!” from Funny Face, a magnificent suite of final art from Eloise In Moscow, and the 1993 Eloise watercolor for New York Is Book Country. There’s a kicker, too: for the first time since its infamous disappearance from the Plaza Hotel in 1960, Knight’s original 1956 Eloise portrait will be on public display.

Support for this exhibition has been generously provided by Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing and the Walton Family Foundation.

A Friend Among Us: The Art of Brinton Turkle

Through May 7, 2017
Step back in time with Brinton Turkle and his tales of American lore. Whether set on the island of Nantucket or in the mountains of Appalachia, his stories and poetic imagery capture both the history and nuances of place. Turkle follows the escapades of a young Quaker boy in his Obadiah series, offers a surprising twist on a favorite fairy tale in Deep in the Forest, and sprinkles magic realism throughout the pages of Sky Dog. All work is from the museum’s permanent collection, generously donated by the artist’s children. A highlight is surely Turkle’s watercolor illustrations from Thy Friend, Obadiah, awarded a 1970 Caldecott Honor.

Brown Bear Turns 50

Through March 19, 2017

Published in 1967, Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? had an immediate appeal to children and adults alike. Bill Martin Jr’s rhythmic call-and-response text builds anticipation at each turn of the page, while Eric Carle’s bold graphics and parade of animals encourage learning and imagination. Brown Bearhas been translated into 31 languages—from Arabic to Vietnamese—and has sold 16 million copies. In addition to the original 1967 book, Carle re-illustrated editions in 1970, 1984, and 1992.

Artwork from every page of the famous book is on display, as well as a selection of Carle’s collages from additional collaborations with Martin. One of only two surviving collages from the 1967 edition—Brown Bear himself—has been faithfully restored and is on view for the first time.

This exhibition is made possible through the generous support of the Hsin-Yi Foundation, with additional support from Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group.

PROGRAMS & EVENTS

Every Day Art Program: Lines that Hop, Skip, and Jump

February 1, 2017 – February 7, 2017   All day
Free with Museum Admission
Experiment with paint and explore a range of interesting and unusual drawing tools.

Toddler and Preschooler Play Series: Open Book, Open Play
February 3, 2017
10:30am – 11:30am
February 10, 2017
10:30am – 11:30am
Free with Museum Admission

(Toddlers and Preschoolers with parents/caregivers/teachers)

Share picture books at story time in the Reading Library and then engage in imaginative explorations inspired by them.

Sometimes messy or outside, so dress accordingly!

First Book Friendiversary!
February 4, 2017
10:00am – 4:00pm
Free

The Carle has teamed up with friends from First Book to observe their Friendiversary, an annual celebration of friendship and reading. Bring a friend and join us as we celebrate books with Elephant & Piggie plus – a FREE Mo Willems book to every child who attends while supplies last! To learn more about First Book, visit www.firstbook.org.

Special Storytime: Mike Curato

February 11, 2017

2:00pm

Free with Museum Admission
Join author/illustrator Mike Curato for the latest addition in his Little Elliot books! In Little Elliot, Big Fun, Little Elliot and his friend Mouse head to an amusement park. When some of the rides are a little scary, Mouse figures out a way for Little Elliot to overcome his fears.

A bravura celebration of the healing effects of acceptance and friendship.   ~ Booklist

Can’t make it to the event? You may reserve signed books online or contact The Carle Bookshop atshop@carlemuseum.org.

Everything Eloise
February 12, 2017<
1:00pm – 4:00pm
Free with Museum Admission
Celebrate The Carle’s special exhibition It’s Me, Eloise: The Voice of Kay Thompson and the Art of Hilary Knight with a day of programs all about Eloise, declared by The New York Times as “one of the most recognizable characters in children’s literature.”

Programs include:
-Eloise-inspired art project in the Studio
-1:00 pm Getting Bored is Not Allowed! A grand gallery tour with Guest Curator Jane Bayard Curley
-2:00 pm From Dumpster to Diva: The Story behind The Plaza’s Stolen Eloise Portrait, with art conservator Lansing Moore
 

Special Sundays in the Studio: Busy Buildings

February 12, 2017
1:00pm – 4:00pm
Free with Museum Admission

Every Day Art Program: Statement Pieces

February 18, 2017 – February 28, 2017
All day
Free with Museum Admission

Get inspired by Eloise’s imaginative costumes and bold fashion sense as you create your own wearable art.
Special Storytime: Hazel Mitchell
February 20, 2017
1:00pm
Free with Museum Admission

Author/Illustrator Hazel Mitchell will read her new book Toby, a heartwarming story about the growing bond between a child and a new pet—inspired by the author’s experience with a rescue dog of the same name. Afterwards, in a Draw-A-Long session, children will learn how to draw Toby and create pictures of their own real and imagined pets.

Can’t make it to the event? You may reserve signed books online or contact The Carle Bookshop atshop@carlemuseum.org.

Reading Buddies with Bright Spot Therapy Dogs
February 20-24, 2017
2:30pm – 3:30pm
Free with Museum Admission; advance sign-up required

Children ages 4-11 will enjoy reading aloud to Reading Buddy dogs, who provide a gentle, comforting listener to readers as they practice their fluency and strengthen their confidence in reading.

Advance sign-up is required. Call 413-559-6307 or email courtneyw@carlemuseum.org to sign up for a date and 15-minute time block. Space is limited.

Nutshell Playhouse presents: Mambo and Nemonee’s Worldwide Adventure
February 21, 2017
11:30am and 1:30pm
$5 (Members $4.50); Museum Admission Extra

Can Mambo and Nemonee save the beautiful but endangered Floratius Serendipitus? Follow them on their hilarious adventures around the globe as they look for the special ingredients that will do the trick. Featuring masks, movement, live music and puppetry, this original performance provides a wonderful chance to awaken young children to earth’s mysteries and the delicate balance of nature. Berkshire County actors Stefanie Lynx Weber and Alexia Trainor are the performers, with Don Jordan providing live music.

Special Storytime: Astrid Scheckels
February 22, 2017
2:30pm
Free with Museum Admission

Hector Fox and the Raven’s Revenge is the second in a series of books that follow the delightful adventures of Hector and his charming band of unique friends: Mo Marten, Charlie Chipmunk, Jeremiah Rabbit, and Lucy Skunk. Join author/illustrator Astrid Scheckels in this special storytime filled with adventure, mystery, and friendship.

Can’t make it to the event? You may reserve signed books online or contact The Carle Bookshop atshop@carlemuseum.org.

Special Storytime: Josh Funk and Anna Staniszewski
February 23, 2017
1:00pm
Free with Museum Admission

Join us for a storytime with all things dinosaurs! Josh Funk will read from his recent book Pirasaurs, a tale of pirate dinosaurs looking for adventure and treasure, while Anna Staniszewski gives us a sneak peek of her upcoming book, Dogosauraus Rex!

Can’t make it to the event? You may reserve signed books online or contact The Carle Bookshop atshop@carlemuseum.org.

CactusHead Puppets Present: The Bremen Town Musicians
February 24, 2017
11:00am
$5 (Members $4.50)

CactusHead Puppets tells the classic tale of a donkey, dog, cat, and rooster who set off on a journey together to start new lives as musicians, and the exciting adventures they have along the way.

Tickets may be purchased in advance at the Museum Admissions Desk or by calling (413) 559-6336.

Special Storytime: Corinne Demas and Artemis Roehrig
February 24, 2017
1:00pm
Free with Museum Admission

In Are Pirates Polite?, mother-daughter team Corinne Demas and Artemis Roehrig use fun, rhyming text to show pirates’ rowdy activity as well as to teach manners!

Can’t make it to the event? You may reserve signed books online or contact The Carle Bookshop atshop@carlemuseum.org.

Northampton Community Music Center Family Concert Series: Jason Didner & Jungle Gym Jam
February 25, 2017
11:00am
$5; Museum Admission Extra

Jungle Gym Jam seeks first to delight, entertain and make emotional connections, and then occasionally slip in a little scientific learning or a vital message about living in the moment and treating others kindly. Jason and Amy are the couple that created the Jungle Gym Jam out of the inspiration they got from parenting their now-4-year-old daughter. They co-write all their lyrics, often as a way of recapturing special family memories and making them universal.

Ticket sales begin at 10:30; no advance sales. Limited seating; early arrival recommended