By Kathy Collins
The newest exhibit at the Tampa Bay History Center (History Center) celebrates the legacy of Little Golden Books. The exhibit features original artwork from the beloved children’s books. The exhibit is available for viewing now through Sunday, August 14.
Little Golden Books was launched in 1942. This was the first full year of America’s involvement in the Second World War. Little Golden Books made high quality illustrated books available at affordable prices for the first time to millions of young children and their parents. So whether it is Poky Little Puppy sneaking off to play or Scuffy The Tug Boat sailing down the river, there is a good chance that Little Golden Books were a part of your childhood.
“We all remember growing up with Little Golden Books, and we thought this exhibit would be a fun multi-generational exhibit,” said Manny Leto, director of marketing for the History Center. “We try to plan a diverse annual exhibit schedule, covering all sorts of different topics and subject matter.”
The exhibit is on the third floor of the History Center. This exhibit will feature one of the most extensive public showings of original illustration art from one of American publishing’s best loved and most consequential picture book lines. You can see artwork from alumni of the Walt Disney Studios such as Gustaf Tenggren, Martin Provensen and J.P. Miller and American originals such as Richard Scarry and Hillary Knight.
Bring your dad to see the exhibit and enjoy all of the exhibits at the History Center on Sunday, June 19 when dad gets in free. On Monday, July 4, admission is $5. Children who love to draw and create will not want to miss the History Center’s Adventure Camps. Spots are available in Pirates and Explorers which runs the week of July 5; Archaeology Mysteries the week of July 11; Build It the week of July 25 and Art Infusion the week of August 1. This last camp will allow campers to get inspired by the Little Golden Books exhibit.
The History Center is located at 801 Old Water St. in downtown Tampa. For more information, visit www.tampabayhistorycenter.org.
