Animals Are Us: Anthropomorphism in Children’s Literature; Celebrating the Peter J. Solomon Collection
Why do we tell stories to children through and about animals? Are there reasons why we shouldn’t? Animals Are Us invites explores these questions and more through influential historic examples of anthropomorphism in dialogue with contemporary books drawn from the collection of Peter J. Solomon (Harvard College Class of 1960, MBA 1963) and the holdings of Houghton Library. The exhibition invites you to engage critically with animal anthropomorphism, and delight in the artfulness of this enduring literary genre.
Catalog of an exhibition on view at Houghton Library, Harvard University, September 1, 2021 - January 7, 2022.
Why do we tell stories to children through and about animals? Are there reasons why we shouldn’t? Animals Are Us invites explores these questions and more through influential historic examples of anthropomorphism in dialogue with contemporary books drawn from the collection of Peter J. Solomon (Harvard College Class of 1960, MBA 1963) and the holdings of Houghton Library. The exhibition invites you to engage critically with animal anthropomorphism, and delight in the artfulness of this enduring literary genre.
Catalog of an exhibition on view at Houghton Library, Harvard University, September 1, 2021 - January 7, 2022.
52 Munro Leaf (American, 1905–1976, author) Robert Lawson (American, 1892–1957, illustrator) The Story of Ferdinand New York: The Viking Press, 1936 21 x 19 cm Houghton Library, Typ 970.36.5138 Gift of Peter J. Solomon, 2020 To provide an opportunity for his impoverished friend Robert Lawson, Munro Leaf created a benign bull who would rather smell flowers than fight in the bullring, thereby avoiding the convention of dogs, cats, and horses. Published in the era of civil war in Spain and Nazism in Germany, the book was condemned by Franco and Hitler for criticizing fascism. Ferdinand enjoyed increased popularity as Walt Disney’s 1938 Oscar-winning animated film. Ferdinand’s humanity continues to resonate. 94
53 Roald Dahl (British, 1916–1990, author) Nancy Ekholm Burkert (American, born 1933, illustrator) James and the Giant Peach New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1961 26 x 19 cm Houghton Library, Typ 970.61.3155 The Philip Hofer Charitable Trust, 2005 James and the Giant Peach constituted debuts for both Roald Dahl and Nancy Ekholm Burkert in children’s literature. Like Alice and Oz, the narrative employs the conceit of a journey or quest: James escapes his wicked aunts in a mutant peach inhabited by equally enormous insects. His journey takes him to New York and a ticker-tape parade. Dahl repeatedly declined overtures to translate his books into film; his widow authorized the first (1996) cinematic version of this book. 95
- Page 56 and 57: 12 Alexander Calder (American, 1898
- Page 58 and 59: 14 Rudyard Kipling (British, 1865-1
- Page 60 and 61: 48
- Page 62 and 63: 16 Attributed to Oliver Goldsmith (
- Page 64 and 65: 18 Charles H. Bennett (British, 182
- Page 66 and 67: 20 L. Frank Baum (American, 1856-19
- Page 68 and 69: 22 Beatrix Potter (British, 1866-19
- Page 70 and 71: 24 Charles Addams (American, 1912-1
- Page 72 and 73: 60
- Page 74 and 75: 26 Thomas Bewick (British, 1753-182
- Page 76 and 77: 28 Edward Lear (British, 1812-1888,
- Page 78 and 79: 30 Lulu Delacre (American, born 195
- Page 80 and 81: 32 Innosanto Nagara (Indonesian, bo
- Page 82 and 83: 33 Joel Chandler Harris (American,
- Page 84 and 85: 35 Julius Lester (American, 1939-20
- Page 86 and 87: 37 E. B. White (American, 1899-1985
- Page 88 and 89: 39 Dr. Seuss [Theodor Geisel] (Amer
- Page 90 and 91: 40 Photograph of Beatrix Potter as
- Page 92 and 93: 42 Beatrix Potter (British, 1866-19
- Page 94 and 95: 44 Wanda Gág (American, 1893-1946,
- Page 96 and 97: 46 Ashley Bryan (American, born 192
- Page 98 and 99: 48 Garth Williams (American, 1912-1
- Page 100 and 101: 49A Silver pocket watch belonging t
- Page 102 and 103: 49C Lewis Carroll [Charles Dodgson]
- Page 104 and 105: 50 L. Frank Baum (American, 1856-19
- Page 108 and 109: 54 Nancy Ekholm Burkert (American,
- Page 110 and 111: 98
- Page 112 and 113: 56 Park Benjamin Jr. (American, 182
- Page 115: 58 Beatrix Potter (British, 1866-19
- Page 118 and 119: 60 Maurice Sendak (American, 1928-2
- Page 120 and 121: 62 David Wiesner (American, born 19
- Page 122 and 123: 63 Unknown creator The Royal Game o
- Page 124 and 125: 110
- Page 126 and 127: 65 Maurice Sendak (American, 1928-2
- Page 128 and 129: 67 Julie Flett (Cree-Métis, born 1
- Page 130 and 131: 116
- Page 132 and 133: Page 67: Illustration from CDB! by
- Page 134 and 135: Bryan, Ashley, 25, 84 Burkert, Nanc
- Page 136 and 137: Lac La Croix First Nation, 113. See
- Page 138: 3, 12-13, 18, 24-25, 35, 39, 43, 63
- Page 142: ISBN 9780981885872 90000 > 9 780981
53<br />
Roald Dahl (British, 1916–1990, author)<br />
Nancy Ekholm Burkert (American, born 1933, illustrator)<br />
James and <strong>the</strong> Giant Peach<br />
New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1961<br />
26 x 19 cm<br />
Houghton Library, Typ 970.61.3155<br />
The Philip Hofer Charitable Trust, 2005<br />
James and <strong>the</strong> Giant Peach constituted debuts for both Roald Dahl<br />
and Nancy Ekholm Burkert <strong>in</strong> children’s literature. Like Alice and Oz,<br />
<strong>the</strong> narrative employs <strong>the</strong> conceit of a journey or quest: James escapes<br />
his wicked aunts <strong>in</strong> a mutant peach <strong>in</strong>habited by equally enormous<br />
<strong>in</strong>sects. His journey takes him to New York and a ticker-tape parade.<br />
Dahl repeatedly decl<strong>in</strong>ed overtures to translate his books <strong>in</strong>to film; his<br />
widow authorized <strong>the</strong> first (1996) c<strong>in</strong>ematic version of this book.<br />
95
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