Journey to Joy: Rise, Relevance, Representation in Children's Picture Books exhibit

The Kerlan Collection contains over 100 years of children’s picture book history. That history has not always been one to celebrate. Children's literature in the U.S. has included stereotypical and hurtful images of any person or child who is not white. While it is important not to shut the door on this painful past, it is equally vital not to dwell on it but to learn and grow from it. Therefore, in curatorial consultation with award-winning children's book author Andrea Davis Pinkney, the entire Elmer L. Andersen exhibit space hosts a four-floor exhibit called Journey to Joy: Rise, Relevance, Representation in Children's Picture Books.

This exhibit takes you from the iconic W.E.B. Du Bois’ Brownies’ Book to the Caldecott Award-winning Snowy Day to the work of Ezra Jack Keats Award recipients. For the first time, the Kerlan will exhibit contemporary Minnesota Native American illustrators Jonathan Thunder, Annette Lee, and Marlena Myles.

The exhibit spans galleries on four floors, illuminating the diversity of children’s picture books. It was developed in curatorial consultation with award-winning children’s book author Andrea Davis Pinkney and Lisa Von Drasek, Miranker Family Curatorial Chair.

Don’t miss it! It's a fascinating display for people of all ages.