Library Art Common Themes

I've always loved going to the library. Almost every Saturday during my childhood, I'd go to the library with my family, and I was allowed to check out only 5 books each week. Five was never enough.

At two recent library children's room art celebrations, I noticed that the major artworks were lofted up or painted high, perhaps to preserve the art from inadvertent too many touchings from little hands or perhaps to allow the little hands to be free to access lots of books.

What was most interesting to me was that even though the illustrators each had distinctly different personalities and artistic styles, many common themes appeared. Perhaps they are universal among children's artists, or perhaps the artists tapped into the same inspiration reservoir as they worked these past months.

EJ's comparison of the children's artwork at the Oakland Library painted by Thatcher Hurd (above and below left) and the Redwood City Library painted by Elizabeth Gomez (below right).

Want adventure?
Come with me
to the library,
where you will see

in the same room:


a space ship in June

a moon and stars

a planet not Mars

a submarine

an octopus dream

a ship sailing far

a cool reading car

a story time

that has no rhyme.





Open a book
'cause reading brings
excitement, joy,

flight without wings.