Animals Are Us: Anthropomorphism in Children’s Literature; Celebrating the Peter J. Solomon Collection
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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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46 Ashley Bryan (American, born 1923, author-illustrator) Beautiful Blackbird New York: Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2003 28 x 25 cm Houghton Library, Typ 2070.03.2411 Gift of H. Nichols B. Clark, 2019 Ashley Bryan’s celebration of beauty through a Zambian folktale about a blackbird sharing his unique qualities with others is a significant example of contemporary children’s literature. Publishers are only slowly catching up to the imperative need for children’s literature to reflect the diversity of society, creating a positive framework to promote respect for all. 84

47 E. B. White (American, 1899–1985, author) Garth Williams (American, 1912–1996, illustrator) Charlotte’s Web New York and Evanston: Harper & Row, Publishers, ca. 1970; first published 1952 21 x 15 cm Houghton Library, Typ 970.60.8775 Gift of Peter J. Solomon, 2020 E. B. White incorporated personal experiences into his story about the triumphant rescue of a pig from slaughter by a wise, literate spider. White inserted the human character Fern late in his writing and resisted his publisher’s efforts to change Charlotte, the spider. While the animals in the story are fully anthropomorphic, illustrator Garth Williams wrestled with the depiction of Charlotte’s face and ultimately reverted to a more scientific depiction, leaving her human qualities to the reader’s imagination. 85

46<br />

Ashley Bryan (American, born 1923, author-illustrator)<br />

Beautiful Blackbird<br />

New York: A<strong>the</strong>neum Books for Young Readers, 2003<br />

28 x 25 cm<br />

Houghton Library, Typ 2070.03.2411<br />

Gift of H. Nichols B. Clark, 2019<br />

Ashley Bryan’s celebration of beauty through a Zambian folktale<br />

about a blackbird shar<strong>in</strong>g his unique qualities with o<strong>the</strong>rs is a<br />

significant example of contemporary children’s literature. Publishers<br />

are only slowly catch<strong>in</strong>g up to <strong>the</strong> imperative need for children’s<br />

literature to reflect <strong>the</strong> diversity of society, creat<strong>in</strong>g a positive<br />

framework to promote respect for all.<br />

84

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