The Carle Celebrates Picture Book Month in November

November is here with its flurry of leaves falling from the trees—or, who knows, maybe even snow flurries—and at The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, there will be a flurry of programs. Why? Because it’s Picture Book Month!

This international initiative celebrates picture books during the month of November, and The Carle has a wide array of programs and events, from storytimes and theatre performances to book events and special exhibitions, for families to enjoy. In addition to all of this, they are featuring their regular storytime programs in the Reading Library, hands-on art projects in the Art Studio, and family activity kits that can be checked out at the admissions desk.

Here are just of few of the many programs presented this month: 

Special Storytimes

• Sunday, November 8, 2015, at 2pm. Join author Kate Hosford as she reads from her latest book, Feeding the Flying Fanellis: And Other Poems from a Circus Chef.
• Sunday, November 15 at 2:00 pm Following her work as an animation artist on Disney films including Tangled and Frozen, Claire Keane now presents her debut picture book, Once Upon a Cloud.
• Saturday, November 28, 2015, at 11:30am. Celebrate the 60th birthday of Eloise! Illustrator Hilary Knight, who has illustrated more than 50 books for children, including Kay Thompson’s Eloise in 1955, will be here for a special story program and book signing.

(Book signing follows each program.)

Theatre Performances

Picture Book Theatre presents:
Rooster’s Off to See the World and “Slowly, Slowly, Slowly,” Said the Sloth, by Eric Carle
Saturdays, November 14 and 21 at 2pm
;
Saturday, November 27 & Sunday, November 28 at 2pm & 3pm
See Eric Carle’s stories come to life with puppets and young dancers! This opportunity to see how a book can be adapted into another medium can be a very enriching experience for young children. Tickets may be purchased in advance at the museum’s admissions desk or by calling 413-658-1126.

Book Events

Strega Nona Tells All: A Conversation with Tomie dePaola
Saturday, November 7, 2015. 1pm
Join the book signing immediately following the program.
This year marks the 40th anniversary of Tomie dePaola’s Caldecott Honor Award-winning book, Strega Nona. While the 1:00 pm auditorium program is SOLD OUT, Tomie will be signing books following the program. Book signing tickets will be available at the admissions desk on November 7, and are first come, first served.

All about Alice Day
Sunday, November 22, 2015. 1-4pm
The Carle has a day of programs planned to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Lewis Carroll’s 1865 classic, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, including a special art project in the Art Studio and a Mad Hatter Family Tea Party at 1:00 pm. Wear your favorite hat and join in!
Reservations are required for Family Tea Party and may be made in advance at the museum’s admissions desk or by calling 413-658-1126.

Special Exhibitions

Exhibitions currently on view at The Carle include The Art of Eric Carle: From A to Z (through March 20, 2016). This colorful exhibition introduces the ABCs of Carle’s career, exploring his themes, personal interests, and artistic techniques. Some of his most familiar characters are showcased alongside artworks on view for the first time. Also on view is Gray Matter: David Macaulay’s Black and White (through November 29, 2015), which celebrates the 25th anniversary of this Caldecott award-winning book.

And later in November, The Carle is thrilled to host Magic, Color, Flair: the world of Mary Blair (November 14, 2015 – February 21, 2016). Known for her vibrant color palette, Mary Blair dominated art and design at The Walt Disney Company and set the artistic tone for classic animated films including Cinderella, Alice in Wonderland, and Peter Pan.

To see the full schedule of events and exhibits happening at The Carle, check out their website, carlemuseum.org.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Courtney Waring

Courtney Waring is Director of Education at The Carle. As a child, her favorite picture book was Snow, by P.D. Eastman and Roy McKie. The Carle is part of Museums10, a collaborative of ten museums in the heart of western Massachusetts. To celebrate their 10th anniversary in 2015, Museums10 members are writing a monthly column in Hilltown Families about all there is to explore and discover in their collections.