Museum exhibit displays legacy of beloved children's books

When the Lake County Discovery Museum decided to showcase a traveling collection of original Little Golden Book illustrations, their exhibit developers knew they wanted to do more than just show off the art.

While adults might enjoy looking at the details in each of the original 60 illustrations from the classic children's books, they expected younger visitors would lose patience fast. The museum staff crafted eight interactive stations matched with eight images for their "Golden Legacy: Original Art From 65 Years of Golden Books" exhibit, which runs through Aug. 22.

"We kick it up a notch," said Katherine Hamilton-Smith, director of cultural resources. "One of the things that we try to do is make it user-friendly for all ages."

Guests enter through a gallery showcasing works from books, which were first released in 1942 as a way to cheer and comfort the nation during World War II. The books gained popularity because they were cheap and distributed not just at bookstores but at drugstores and supermarkets. Images are divided according to illustrators and include bios telling stories of artists who had fled the conflict in Europe or worked as animators at Walt Disney Studios before leaving the studio to seek more creative freedom.

Visitors then enter an interactive play area based on the worlds of Golden Books. A display behind glass showcases dozens of books published throughout the decades. The space includes an animatronic version of the title character of "The Poky Little Puppy" and a brief reading from the story that's activated by pushing a button. Levers move around bugs on the grass and a copy of the book is attached to the wall for families to take some time to read the story. Books also are available at the other zones and Hamilton-Smith said she often sees them in use. An especially popular storytelling spot is a nook with a bed and bookcase.

Kids also are encouraged to write their own stories using magnetic words and pictures on the walls and match words with images. Other interactive elements include a slide shaped like the dump truck from "The Happy Man and His Dump Truck" and a large train set play table with figures from "Tootle" and "Scuffy the Tugboat."

Children can don smocks and use paint cans filled with bright-colored chalk to draw on a table and walls like "The Color Kittens" with little stools to help them reach higher places. They can search a set of large bean bags decorated like trees looking for "The Red Lemon" and toss squishy red balls, imitating the farmer in the book who tossed the bright red lemon into the sea.

Museum staff chose to highlight books that lent themselves to strong interactive elements and Hamilton-Smith said "The Red Lemon" was selected because it was published in 2006. In addition to being recognizable for more kids, the story shows that Golden Books are still being published today.

The gift shop is stocked with copies of books along with Golden Books-themed stuffed animals and puzzles. On Kids Day, May 31, admission is free for kids 17 and under.