Animals Are Us: Anthropomorphism in Children’s Literature; Celebrating the Peter J. Solomon Collection

figure 5. Jonathan Thunder. “She dreamed about the jingledress
dancers, stepping softly to the ground,” from Bowwow
Powwow.
for thought. This exhibition of the Solomon and Houghton
collections invites delight in the cultural artifacts produced by
children’s literature while also challenging viewers to consider
the troubling role that anthropomorphism has played in
perpetuating stereotypes and normalizing dominant cultures.
As the field of children’s literature and the publishing of
children’s books continue to evolve toward greater equity,
diversity, and inclusion, we are hopeful that more children
will see themselves and their communities represented with
dignity in the books they read. As anthropomorphized animals
continue to play a role in sparking children’s imaginations, we
must ensure they also work toward a more just world.
figure 6. Jonathan Thunder. “That night Windy Girl
understood the powwow is always in motion,” from Bowwow
Powwow.
27