Golden Legacy banner

Golden Legacy: Original Art from 80 Years of Golden Books

Explore whimsical children’s book illustrations highlighting animals and nature as a source of love, wonder and joy.

Oct. 15, 2023 – Feb. 18, 2024

Featuring colorful illustrations from the Little Golden Books series, Golden Legacy features works from some of the best-known children’s books of the past 80 years, including "The Poky Little Puppy" illustrated by Gustaf Tenggren and "Chicken Little" illustrated by Richard Scarry. Rediscover beloved childhood classics and encounter new, soon-to-be favorites.

 

About the Little Golden Book Series

First published in 1942, Little Golden Books have delighted generations of readers. When children’s books were a luxury, the company used a uniform size to sell picture books at a modest price, making reading more accessible to families across the United States. Today, Little Golden Books boasts more than 700 book titles through Penguin Random House and has featured numerous Caldecott Medal winning illustrators.

 

This exhibition was organized by the National Center for Children's Illustrated Literature, Abilene, Texas. 

Gallery

Gustaf Tenggren, illustration from "The Shy Little Kitten." Story by Cathleen Schurr, published by Golden Press, NY, 1948. Courtesy of the Kerlan Collection, University of Minnesota.
Gustaf Tenggren, illustration from "The Shy Little Kitten." Story by Cathleen Schurr, published by Golden Press, NY, 1948. Courtesy of the Kerlan Collection, University of Minnesota.
Gustaf Tenggren, illustration from "The Poky Little Puppy." Story by Janette Sebring Lowrey, published by Golden Press, NY, 1942. Courtesy of the Kerlan Collection, University of Minnesota.
Gustaf Tenggren, illustration from "The Poky Little Puppy." Story by Janette Sebring Lowrey, published by Golden Press, NY, 1942. Courtesy of the Kerlan Collection, University of Minnesota.
Gustaf Tenggren, illustration from "Tawny Scrawny Lion," digital reproduction. Story by Kathryn Jackson, published by Golden Press, NY, 1952. Courtesy of the Kerlan Collection, University of Minnesota.
Gustaf Tenggren, illustration from "Tawny Scrawny Lion," digital reproduction. Story by Kathryn Jackson, published by Golden Press, NY, 1952. Courtesy of the Kerlan Collection, University of Minnesota.
3
photos

Sign up for our e-newsletters!

Subscribe