Sendak Exhibit Visits East Cobb Library

A traveling exhibit featuring the work of children's illustrator Maurice Sendak will be making a stop at the East Cobb Library next month.

"In a Nutshell: The Worlds of Maurice Sendak" will be on display at the library from Sept. 8 to Oct. 14. The exhibit explores Sendak's career as well as his family's history and Jewish identity. 

He was born to Polish immigrants in Brooklyn in 1928, and his childhood was typically American in a number of ways. At the same time, he became fascinated as a child with the worn black-and-white photographs of his European relatives, and the influence of both of these worlds – the threads of Jewish family, geography, and culture – can be seen in his imaginative works.

“We are delighted to have been selected as a site for this exhibition,” said Helen Poyer, director of the Cobb County Public Library System. “A study of Sendak’s work proves that his illustrations and stories aren’t just for children. He explores immigration, urban life, nostalgia, the New World versus the Old World, even the legacy of the Holocaust, weaving these seemingly adult themes into his imaginative and playful illustrations. Our library is thrilled to host this exhibition and present a more thorough look at the life of a talented author and illustrator beloved by fans young and old.”

 “In a Nutshell” was organized by the Rosenbach Museum and Library of Philadelphia, and developed by Nextbook, Inc., a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting Jewish literature, culture, and ideas, and the American Library Association Public Programs Office. 

The national tour of the exhibit has been made possible by grants from the Charles H. Revson Foundation, the Righteous Persons Foundation, the David Berg Foundation, and an anonymous donor, with additional support from Tablet Magazine: A New Read on Jewish Life. The exhibit was curated by Patrick Rodgers of the Rosenbach Museum & Library.

The East Cobb Library is sponsoring free programs for the public in connection with the exhibition. An opening reception is scheduled for Sept. 8 at 6 pm. Sendak-themed storytimes for children will be held on Saturday, Sept. 10 at 11 a.m.; Sept. 20 at 4:15 p.m; and Oct. 4 at 4:15 p.m.  

The public is also invited to explore the worlds of Maurice Sendak with storyteller Barry Stewart Mann on Sept. 13 at 6:30 p.m. Films and book discussion groups have also been scheduled. Contact Ansie Krige, East Cobb Library Branch Manager, at 770-509-2730 or visit the library system website's Sendak page for more information.