Share the Magic

Recently *Friend-Husband and I spent an afternoon in the Springville Art Museum enjoying Unbound; their display of original picture book art by Utah Illustrators. What a delightful event. I think you should go.

Picture books are my first love. They are such a magical blend of words and art. It’s fun to share this magic with someone you love, especially if that someone is a child. I have spent many a pleasant afternoon cuddling on a couch with a grandchild and a delightful picture book.

Twenty seven artists are represented in the display. Their original framed art is displayed with a bio about each artist. It was great fun to read about each of these talented artists whose picture voice brings a special kind of magic to the words. Each page in a picture book is a work of heart; a special blend of love, hard work, and art. It is also a treat to see the diversity in the art, from water colors and oils to computer designs, and every combination between. Some illustrations are in vibrant brilliant colors, others are soft pastels. Each picture has a personality as real as my own.

After soaking in each of the fabulous illustrations on the wall, Friend-Husband and I found a cozy spot on a comfy couch in the same room and read from the same picture books which were also provided.

Some of our favorites were: Mrs. McBloom, Clean Up Your Classroom, written by Kelly S. Dipucchio and illustrated by Guy Francis; Martha Moth Makes Socks written and illustrated by Cambria Evans, Fanny’s Dream written by Caralyn Buehner and illustrated by Mark Buehner, Armadilly Chili written by Helen Ketteman and illustraded by Will Terry, The Frog with the Big Mouth written by Teresa Bateman and illustrated by Will Terry, The Alphabet from Z to A (With Much Confusion on the Way) written by Judith Viorst and illustrated by Richard Hull.

The display is at the Springville Museum of Art, 126 E. 400 S., Springville, Utah, and runs through December 28. Admission is free. Every Saturday at 11:00 a.m. through Dec 27 there is a Story Hour featuring one of the artists. The picture books are also available for sale in the Museum Gift Shop. The museum hours are different each day so check the web site http://www.sma.nebo.edu/. You will also enjoy looking at the Unbound blog; unboundsma.blogspot.com.

This is great day for magic. Share some picture book magic with someone you love today.

Linda Garner

* Friend-Husband is a term my Mother used in her writing, when speaking about my Father. I was a little jealous that she thought of it first. Mother has been gone for 6 years and isn’t using it any more. I thought maybe she wouldn’t mind if I picked it up now.