Popcorn & Starbaby: Children’s Book Illustrations by Frank Asch

Duvoisin Gallery
Jul 02, 2011 - Jun 24, 2012

Popcorn and Starbaby, two captivating series of original children’s book illustrations by Frank Asch, are featured in this exhibition designed to appeal to viewers of all ages. An early Frank Asch “Bear Book,” Popcorn (1979) is about Sam Bear hosting an impromptu Halloween party when his parents are out. The amusing nineteen illustrations show Sam and his young friends popping popcorn in a very large pot. Then, there is too much popcorn, which keeps on popping. Much to Sam’s alarm, popcorn soon fills the entire house! The rest of the story shows how Sam and his friends clean up the mess and depart before Sam’s parents return.

Also on view are fifteen original illustrations for Starbaby (1980), a delightful bedtime story about a boy who lives in the sky. After Starbaby falls to Earth, he lives among the fish in the ocean until he caught by a fisherman, who brings the little boy home to his wife. Various scenes then present Starbaby enjoying daily activities with his new doting parents.

Frank Asch is a noted author and illustrator of over sixty-five children’s books, poetry, juvenile non-fiction and children’s novels. Born in Somerville, New Jersey, Asch attended Rutgers University before obtaining a B.F.A. degree from Cooper Union, New York, in 1969 – the same year he published his first children’s book, George’s Store. He currently resides in Vermont and Hawaii.

This exhibition features a donation by the artist to the Zimmerli Art Museum’s collection of original illustrations for children’s literature. It was organized by Marilyn Symmes, Director of the Zimmerli’s Morse Research Center for Graphic Arts and Curator of Prints and Drawings.

Admission:
$6 for adults who are not members. $5 for citizens over 65. Members, children under 18, Rutgers University students, faculty, and staff with a valid I.D. enjoy free admission. Free admission for all visitors on the first Sunday of every month.

Museum Hours: