Located on the second floor of the Cook Library, the de Grummond Showcase features a rotating selection from the special collection of books, illustrations and other artifacts of various children’s authors. Currently on display are collections from Emilie Blackmore Stapp, Ezra Jack Keats, Coleen Salley, Ashley Brown, and H.A. Ray. These displays reminded me of some of my favorite books from my childhood. It was interesting to discover that one of my favorite books, Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats, was also considered somewhat revolutionary in its day. Not only did Keats utilize interesting collage techniques for his illustrations, he also introduced some of the earliest African American main characters in children’s literature, opening the floodgates for others behind him. Despite being unfamiliar with the work of Emilie Blackmore Stapp, I was very interested in the portion of the exhibit devoted to her character Isabella. Even more interesting was the work she did during the war effort utilizing Isabella in a successful effort to sell war bonds. For more information on the de Grummond exhibit you can visit the following Web Site: http://www.lib.usm.edu/~degrum/ .
"The Snowy Day Original Illustration, page 21." The de Grummond Children's Literature Collection. Web. 2 Feb 2010. < http://www.lib.usm.edu/~degrum/keats/snow1.html.>
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