Imagine That! The Power of Picture Books

Imagine That! The Power of Picture Books, published to accompany a loan exhibition at the Portsmouth Historical Society, examines the role of the first works of art encountered by many children: the art of picture books. Introductory essays by scholars H. Nichols B. Clark and Naomi S. Baron place the materials in the context of the extraordinary legacy of children's book illustration in northern New England during the past century. The catalogue contains full-color illustrations of nearly one hundred works by more than thirty illustrators from Maine, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts, including Maxfield Parrish and Tomie dePaola, two of New Hampshire's most celebrated artists. The book underscores the role of picture books in fostering imagination, teaching visual literacy, and promoting human connection at a pivotal moment in our relationship with technology. By exploring the ways that various illustrators have developed the theme of journeys, the book demonstrates the capacity of picture books to cultivate imagination. By also considering how technology has shaped illustration methods and the picture book form, the book advances our understanding of the benefits of shared reading as a foundation for the enjoyment of art.