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.
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Nancy Ekholm Burkert (American, born 1933)<br />
F<strong>in</strong>ished draw<strong>in</strong>g for James and <strong>the</strong> Giant Peach, 1961<br />
“James’s large frightened eyes traveled slowly around<br />
<strong>the</strong> room. The creatures, some sitt<strong>in</strong>g on chairs, o<strong>the</strong>rs<br />
recl<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g on a sofa, were all watch<strong>in</strong>g him <strong>in</strong>tently.”<br />
Ink and graphite on illustration board, 36 x 27 cm<br />
Houghton Library, TypDr 970.B247.61j (21) Sz 2<br />
The Philip Hofer Charitable Trust and Betty McAndrew<br />
funds, 1997<br />
Burkert carefully researched her participants, study<strong>in</strong>g<br />
specimens <strong>in</strong> entomology books on species that <strong>in</strong>habited<br />
<strong>the</strong> story’s <strong>in</strong>itial sett<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> south of England. These<br />
render<strong>in</strong>gs also reflect Burkert’s admiration for <strong>the</strong><br />
anthropomorphic creatures of J. J. Grandville. They sit<br />
and lounge on equally accurate Chippendale and Sheraton<br />
furniture. This domestic environment fur<strong>the</strong>r re<strong>in</strong>forces<br />
<strong>the</strong> credibility of <strong>the</strong>ir anthropomorphic identities.<br />
96
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