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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26<br />
Thomas Bewick (British, 1753–1828, illustrator)<br />
A New Lottery Book of Birds and Beasts for Children to Learn<br />
Their Letters by As Soon As They Can Speak<br />
Newcastle: T(homas) Sa<strong>in</strong>t for W. Charnley, 1771<br />
11 x 7 cm<br />
Houghton Library, Typ 705.71.208 (B)<br />
Gift of <strong>the</strong> <strong>Peter</strong> and Susan <strong>Solomon</strong> Family Foundation, 2020<br />
Thomas Bewick’s book appears to have been devised for<br />
toddlers, underscor<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> long-held importance of early<br />
literacy. Small <strong>in</strong> format, ideally suited to small hands, and<br />
economical to produce, <strong>the</strong> book’s bold woodcut images are<br />
eye-catch<strong>in</strong>g. Most books of this type were serious <strong>in</strong> tone, but<br />
<strong>the</strong> representations of animals, both real and imag<strong>in</strong>ed, <strong>in</strong>ject<br />
an element of fun and visual <strong>in</strong>terest for <strong>the</strong> budd<strong>in</strong>g reader.<br />
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