Library Exhibit Complements Gallery Book Illustrators Show

Voskuyl Library, in conjunction with Reynolds Gallery’s Christmas show, "Storytellers," is exhibiting the work of Itoko Maeno and Bruce Hale, two Santa Barbara children's book illustrators, through Jan. 17, 2004.
Maeno, a native of Japan, earned her bachelor of arts degree in graphic design from Tama Art University in Tokyo. Now a resident of Santa Barbara, she has illustrated more than 25 children's books. Four of her titles have won national awards, including the Benjamin Franklin Award for Best Picture Book in 1989.

Maeno's soft Impressionistic palette is mixed with a playful whimsy, and her keen eye for detail delights children and adults alike.

Hale, a native of Los Angeles, is a man of many talents. He is a writer, illustrator and storyteller, and was a Fulbright Fellow in 1998. He has lived and worked in Tokyo and Hawaii but now calls Santa Barbara home.

Hale writes and illustrates the “Chet Gecko: Private Eye” series. His mysteries are filled with humor, nicely complemented with his loose cartoon-like pencil drawings, which have a fresh, immediate quality.

Prior to the mid-18th century, books for children were printed solely for educational or moral edification without any illustrations. Children were in general considered to be tiny adults. But a different attitude toward children started to emerge, and publishers began to publish books specifically geared toward them.

Many gifted artists began illustrating children’s books, and some even wrote their own stories. Among some of the more famous artists and writers are John Tenniel, who illustrated Lewis Carroll’s “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland,” W.W. Denslow, illustrator of the Oz books, Beatrix Potter, who wrote and illustrated “The Tale of Peter Rabbit” and many other books, and Theodor Geisel, better known as Dr. Seuss.

Over the years, their books have enriched the imaginary lives of children and adults alike.

Voskuyl Library is typically open Monday through Thursday from 7:45 a.m. to midnight, Fridays from 7:45 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturdays from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sundays from 1:30 p.m. to midnight.

During the Thanksgiving holiday, hours will be curtailed. The library is expected to be open 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 27 and closed on Thanksgiving Day and Friday and Saturday of that week. It is expected to be open Sunday, Nov. 30, from 6 to 11 p.m.

During the Christmas break, Dec. 19 through Jan. 11, the library is expected to be open on weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and closed on the weekends.

For more information on library hours during the holidays, call the library at (805) 565-6147.