Stories That Shape Us: Building Stories Reflections

ABC Book by C.B. Falls (Doubleday, 1923, First Edition)

Nancy Bateman – Senior Registrar and Director of Collections

I discovered ABC Book while working on the exhibition. It is the “D” (for duck!) on the alphabet wall when you first walk into the galleries. As a first edition printing from 1923, it is one of the oldest manuscripts in the exhibition. The book is truly a work of art: it consists of 26 hand colored woodblock-printed pages, each with a delightful animal illustration corresponding to a letter of the alphabet. As the Museum’s registrar, it is my job to care for the artifacts on display. From a professional standpoint, it was fascinating to work with an artifact that has been used and appreciated for over 100 years. The amount of artistry and care put into a children’s book shows how important alphabet books are to childhood development and learning.

Another by Christian Robinson (Atheneum, 2019)

Caitlin Bristol – Director of Exhibition Development

I encountered Another while developing Building Stories and was struck by the vibrant, geometric illustrations and clever design. The little girl and her cat fall through a magic portal to a world where everything is topsy-turvy. The wordless book allows readers to use their imagination to fill in the narrative about their adventure. It reminds us that how we view the world is all a matter of perspective!

Eloise by Kay Thompson. Illustrated by Hilary Knight (Simon and Schuster, 1955)

Cathy Frankel – Deputy Director for Interpretive Content

Eloise is and always has been my favorite children’s book. Following Eloise around the Plaza Hotel – down the stairs, up the elevator, going door to door – on the foldout page is a delight. Fun fact: the author considered it a book for adults, and she would go into bookstores and move the stacks of Eloise from the children’s section to the adult section.

Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown. Illustrated by Clement Hurd (Harper, 1947)

Bryn Cooley – Collections Manager

I was the first kid in my family, so I was happily read to frequently as a child, and Goodnight Moon was one of my top-requested books. When I was a teenager, I found a song called ‘Goodnight Moon.’ I love the song in part because it references the book.

Harlem Grown: How One Big Idea Transformed a Neighborhood by Tony Hillery. Illustrated by Jessie Hartland (Paula Wiseman/Simon and Schuster, 2020)

Caroline Morales – Manager of School and Family Programs

Harlem Grown is one of my favorites because it has a direct connection to kids living in cities and provides a way to think about growing plants and food within familiar spaces. It also teaches the value of community and trying again!

Neighbors by Kasya Denisevich (Chronicle Books, 2020)

Clementine Sherman – Exhibitions Coordinator

From the lens of a young girl living in a big apartment building, Denisevich highlights the opportunity to find community and belonging in our built environment. I love that this book sparks curiosity about how our neighbors exist in their homes and encourages readers of all ages to be courageous and make new friends in their neighborhoods. Building strong communities keeps our built environment vibrant and beautiful.

The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats (Viking, 1962)

Meghan Kelley – Director of Foundations and Strategic Initiatives

I didn’t grow up with The Snowy Day, so I discovered it through Building Stories. I love reading it with my daughter. We read it nonstop throughout the winter during our own snow days, and she would point out snow in the book and then point to the snow in the window. As adults, we sometimes lose that childlike wonder and imagination. The Snowy Day reminds me to see the world around us in a new light.

Tar Beach by Faith Ringgold (Crown, 1991)

Maggie Wald – Manager of Early Childhood Programs & Community Partnerships

Ringgold’s classic story immerses us in 1939 Harlem as 8-year-old Cassie imagines herself flying across the city. Tar Beach was first told in a story quilt, then a picture book, and now visually inside our exhibition theater in Building Stories. I love this story because it emphasizes how storytelling transcends the paper pages of a book.

Robyn Craig – Digital Media Manager

Growing up with a big imagination and a love of the stars and night skies, I read Tar Beach over and over again. It was my first introduction to wanderlust. I loved imagining drifting off, flying across my hometown, and admiring New York’s unique architecture and skyline.

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz: A Commemorative Pop-Up by Robert Sabuda (Simon and Schuster, 2001)

Clare Smith – Youth Programs Coordinator

I’ve loved this pop-up book ever since I was a child, and I’ve since bought copies for my nieces and nephews to enjoy. There’s something special about flipping through the pages and watching Oz come to life through the magical pop-up images. Now, I also enjoy sharing that experience with new audiences through our Build Your Story field trip.