THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, September 22, 1996 TAG: 9609230254
SECTION: COMMENTARY PAGE: J3 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Book Review
SOURCE: BY EDITH A. WHITE
LENGTH: 65 lines
MYTH, MAGIC, AND MYSTERY
One Hundred Years of American Children's Books Illustrations
TRINKETT AND H. NICHOLS B. CLARK; MICHAEL PATRICK HEARN
Roberts Rinehart Publishers. 242 pp. $50. $29.95 paper.
``I know dat book!'' squealed a delighted child from atop his father's shoulders, where he could view the charming exhibit of children's book illustrations at The Chrysler Museum of Art in Norfolk. He was far too young to be a reader, but he was ``visually literate.''
Like all who enjoyed the ``Myth, Magic, and Mystery'' exhibit this summer, the boy could spot his favorite books. Children, parents, grandparents and people with no children by the hand poured into this smartly displayed exhibit. I had fun listening to the generations describe the vivid and enduring memories brought back by pictures from their childhood books.
The exhibit has moved on from Norfolk, destined for Memphis, Tenn., in November and then on to Wilmington, Del. But its treasure is preserved in a book written by its three curators, on sale in the museum gift shop and at area bookstores.
H. Nichols B. Clark, Trinkett Clark and Michael Patrick Hearn have selected what they, with their ``eclectic and eccentric tastes,'' consider among the best children's book illustrations of the past century. Myth, Magic, and Mystery: One Hundred Years of American Children's Book Illustrations is, they say, the first such comprehensive survey.
The book, like the exhibit, is divided into four categories. Hearn, a specialist in children's literature and its illustration who wrote the cult classic The Annotated Wizard of Oz, wrote an introductory chapter. Trinkett Clark wrote the section on first books, ``From Mother Goose to Doctor Seuss,'' which includes a wondrous pictorial alphabet with works by 25 artists. H. Nichols B. Clark contributed the next three chapters, ``Here and Now Stories,'' ``High Adventure'' and ``Happily Ever After.'' The writing styles blend well.
``A good children's book unifies text with art,'' say the authors. Their book lives up to that standard. The 232 illustrations, vivid color interspersed with black-and-white drawings, are well placed to enliven almost every page. The title of each illustration and the book from which it comes are clearly identified. There are bibliographic notes and a reliable index.
From their knowledge of art the Clarks give brief but incisive notes on the pictures, tracing the influence of artists from Hieronymus Bosch to Grant Wood. Trinkett Clark was formerly the curator of 20th century art at The Chrysler Museum of Art; H. Nichols B. Clark currently serves as its curator of American art.
They also describe how the illustrations reflect U.S. history and attitudes about children. By pointing out pertinent details and symbolic references they enrich the visual experience. The vibrancy and exuberance, as well as the wit, whimsy and drama of the pictures, are made plain.
The media include cut paper, wood engraving, etching, colored pencils, oil and, my favorite, water color. The vital ingredient is the seriousness that each artist brings to the task of producing art for children. They did not ``draw down'' to their audience because ``children can meet the challenge of a complex subject and instinctively understand a sophisticated drawing.''
This does not mean that a grown-up must be precocious to enjoy this delightful book. In an age of lip service to ``family values'' it is a rare treat that every family can value. MEMO: Edith R. White is a Norfolk storyteller, artist and librarian. by CNB