THE EXHIBITION AT-A-GLANCE

Exhibition Title: Artifacts of Childhood: 700 Years of Children's Books

Exhibition Dates: September 27, 2008 to January 17, 2009

Overview: Artifacts of Childhood: 700 Years of Children's Books showcases the Newberry's little-known collection of books and manuscripts created for and by children, and covers many aspects of the interaction between children and books. This exhibition will include approximately 65 works, drawn from the Library's collection of thousands of children's books in more than 100 languages, from the fifteenth century to the present.

The exhibition is organized into six broad thematic categories: education, the moral and religious development of children, the child as book buyer, realistic fiction and fantasy written for children, the child at play, and the child as author.

Artifacts of Childhood will feature such treasures as: the first illustrated edition of Aesop's Fables (1485); the first edition of Lewis Carroll's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland (1865); a nineteenth-century collectible story, La Fille de L'Exile, that is similar in format to Pokemon cards; and ABCs from 1544 to 1992.

These and other materials will allow exhibit visitors to traverse time, space and cultures to trace continuity and change within the history of children's books, to examine changing attitudes towards children and childhood, and to understand the importance of the study of the history of childhood through children's books.

Location: Newberry Library
60 W. Walton Street
Chicago, Illinois 60610

Phone Numbers: (312) 255-3691 (General Inquiries); (312) 255-3625 (Media)

Admission: Free. No reservations are required. Visit www.newberry.org or call (312) 255-3700 for details.

Public Programs: The Newberry Library is offering a variety of free public programs to complement the exhibition. For up-to-date information visit www.newberry.org or call (312) 255-3700.

Reading Rooms: The Reading Rooms are open to all readers who are at least 16 years of age or older, or who are at least juniors in high school. To obtain a reader card, present valid photo ID, proof of current home address, and a research topic that is supported by the Newberry's collections. For more information, please visit www.newberry.org.

Sponsors: For this exhibition, the Newberry Library gratefully acknowledges lead sponsorships from Mr. and Mrs. Rudy L. Ruggles, Jr., Pleasant T. Rowland Foundation, and Northern Trust. Additional support is generously provided by Vincent J. Buonanno, Pamela K. Harer, The Reva and David Logan Foundation, Lubin Family Foundation, and Jordan I. Shifrin.