Illustrations inspire young readers

Former Cedar Rapids Public Librarian Evelyn Zerzanek knew the enduring value of children's literature illustrations. She saw them stoke readers' imaginations, enhance stories and leave indelible impressions.

That's why she procured original art from illustrators and author/illustrators, building a collection that has become one of the library's most prized possessions.

Dubbed the Zerzanek Collection, selections from it are currently on display in Cedar Rapids Museum of Art's 'The ABCs of Children's Book Illustration” exhibit.

In conjunction with the museum's ongoing display, the library is offering an intergenerational reading program: '10 from 26: The ABC Family Reading Program.” Families can check out a bag of 10 pre-selected children's titles, all of which feature famous illustrations. After completing the accompanying reading program, families return the bag of books to the library and receive prizes.

Several of the books may be familiar to patrons while some will be new discoveries.

Eric Carle's 'Little Cloud,” designed mostly in azure and white, resembles a child's fingerpainting. It's a simple tale of a fluffy mini-cumulus cloud changing shapes across the sky. Is he a rabbit? A shark? A clown? As in many of Carle's works the illustrations stimulate youthful imagination.

A plethora of pastels grace the pages of Don Freeman's 'Norman the Doorman.” This is a charming tale where a mouse ushers his critter friends through a tiny portal to view Majestic Museum of Art treasures.

Freeman, also author-illustrator of the classic 'Corduroy” and many other children's books, endows Norman with artistic talent in a plot twist sure to please all ages.

One of the best times for sharing books is as the day ends. In this 'bag of books” reading program a particularly good title is 'Richard Scarry's Bedtime Stories.” The kid-friendly illustrations highlight five short stories about characters including cats, a dog, raccoons and a gorilla. Everyone will be entertained by these animal antics.

Perhaps the most carefree, fun-loving girl character in children's chapter books is 'Pippi Longstocking.”

Proud owner of a monkey called Mr. Nilsson and a horse with no name that resides on her porch, Pippi has no parents and never lets adults interfere with a good time. Created by Astrid Lindgren, this 9-year-old has extraordinary adventures and takes new friends Tony and Annika along for the ride of their young lives.

In a fictional world opposite Pippi's, a boy schemes to earn money for his dream bicycle. Every attempt Henry Huggins makes backfires but does he give up? Families will identify with the universal characters and everyday situations in Beverly Cleary's 'Henry and Beezus,” an ideal read-aloud junior fiction book.

For more information on '10 from 26” and other Cedar Rapids Public Library programs and collections, go to crlibrary.org.