Exhibit | April 10, 2012

The Magical Art of Maisy and Friends at the Carle Museum

(Amherst, MA) The Eric Carle Museum is pleased to announce it will host a selection of Lucy Cousins’ work called: Our British Cousins: The Magical Art of Maisy and Friends beginning May 22nd and running through November 25th.
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Cousins, one of today´s most beloved author-illustrators of children´s books, is best known as the creator of the Maisy series—books that portray Maisy and her friends in adventures that reflect the experiences young children have every day. She is also the author and illustrator of numerous other picture books, including I’m the Best, Hooray for Fish and the widely acclaimed Yummy: Eight Favorite Fairy Tales, a New York Times Book Review Best Illustrated Children’s Book. The exhibition will feature Maisy as well as some of these other wonderful protagonists.
 
“As the exhibition happily demonstrates, Cousins has applied her wit and wisdom to all of her characters,” says The Carle’s Chief Curator Nick Clark. “Goldilocks is a nice example — or the exuberant Dog in I’m the Best who learns that friendship is more enduring than winning. When you see her work all together, you get a clear sense of the brio in Cousins’ energetic style.”
 
Her titles fascinate babies, toddlers, and preschoolers with their child-like simplicity, bold outlines, and vivid colors. Maisy does things that children all over the world do, Lucy Cousins says of her superstar mouse. The way she dresses, the way she acts, is typical of children all over the world.
 
"I draw by heart," says Cousins. "I think of what children would like by going back to my own child-like instincts."
 
Cousins, who lives in Hampshire, England, will make a special visit to the Museum on September 15, 2012 for “Maisy Day.” Visit www.carlemuseum.org for more information. The generous support of Candlewick Press and Walker Books UK has made this exhibition and Cousins’ visit possible.
 
ABOUT CANDLEWICK PRESS??
Candlewick Press, which celebrate its twentieth anniversary in 2012, is an independent, employee-owned publisher based in Somerville, Massachusetts. Candlewick publishes outstanding children’s books for readers of all ages, including books by award-winning authors and illustrators such as M. T. Anderson, Kate DiCamillo, Laura Amy Schlitz, and David Ezra Stein; the widely acclaimed Judy Moody, Mercy Watson, and 'Ology series; and favorites such as Guess How Much I Love You, Where's Waldo?, and Maisy. Candlewick's parent company is Walker Books Ltd., of London, with additional offices in Sydney and Auckland. Visit Candlewick online at www.candlewick.com.
 
ABOUT THE MUSEUM
The mission for The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, a non-profit organization in Amherst, MA, is to inspire a love of art and reading in young children through picture books. The only full-scale museum of its kind in the United States, The Carle collects, preserves, presents, and celebrates picture books and picture book illustrations from around the world. In addition to underscoring the cultural, historical, and artistic significance of picture books and their art form, The Carle offers educational programs that provide a foundation for arts integration and literacy.
 
Eric and Barbara Carle founded the Museum in November 2002. Eric Carle is the renowned author and illustrator of more than 70 books, including the 1969 classic, The Very Hungry Caterpillar. Since opening, the 40,000-foot facility has served more than half a million visitors, including 30,000 schoolchildren. Its extensive resources include a collection of more than 10,000 picture book illustrations, three art galleries, an art studio, a theater, picture book and scholarly libraries, and educational programs for families, scholars, educators, and schoolchildren. Educational offerings include professional training for educators around the country. Museum hours are Tuesday through Friday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday 12 noon to 5 p.m. with special extended summer hours. Admission is $9 for adults, $6 for children under 18, and $22.50 for a family of four. For further information and directions, call 413-658-1100 or visit the Museum’s website at www.carlemuseum.org.
 
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