An exciting exhibition of 60 original illustrations from Canadian children’s books will be showcased in the Concourse at the National Gallery of Canada from Saturday, November 14 through to and including November 24. This is a rare opportunity to view the artistry of some of Canada’s best-known and finest artists working in the field of children’s book illustration including Barbara Reid, Marie-Louise Gay, Wallace Edwards, Philippe Béha, Brian Deines, Stéphane Jorisch and 50 others. Come see the illustrations which help picture books to engage children in the art of story. They open the door to fantasy, imagination and education and help youngsters to grow into enthusiastic readers. Every artistic medium is represented – watercolours, acrylics, oils, tempera, collage, Plasticine and pen and ink.

Sunday, November 22 is Family Day at the National Gallery of Canada. Barbara Reid, who illustrates her books exclusively with Plasticine, will be giving workshops throughout the day and will be signing her latest book as well. At 4 pm a panel discussion around the theme of the art of the picture book will be held in the National Gallery theatre. Diane Kerner, publisher of Scholastic Canada, Barbara Reid, author/illustrator, Wallace Edwards, illustrator and Josiane Polidori, children’s book specialist with the Library and Archives Canada will offer lively discussion on both the creative and publishing processes of producing a great picture book. Go to the National Gallery website (www.gallery.ca) for more information on the exhibition and Family Day events.

The illustrations will be up on the National Gallery’s walls until Tuesday, November 24 when they will be auctioned off at an exciting event in the Great Hall at the National Gallery. The TD Bank Financial Group is the presenting sponsor of “Take Home an Original: The Art of the Picture Book”, the proceeds of which will benefit the Canadian Children’s Book Centre, a national, not-for-profit organization whose programs and services support the writing and illustrating of Canadian children’s books and getting those wonderful books into the hands of Canadian children.

Tickets are $50 and you will have the opportunity of bidding on some great art specifically created for a Canadian picture book.

For further information and the opportunity to look at the art, if you can’t get to the National Gallery in Ottawa, as well as to buy tickets to the auction on November 24th at the National Gallery of Canada, please go to www.bookcentre.ca/artauction. Tickets may also be ordered by telephone in the Ottawa area at 613-782-1179.