Society and reading: Exhibition of books for children “Children’s reading. From home libraries of Muscovites” in Moscow

March 5, 2013 in the All-Russian Museum of Decorative-Applied and Folk Arts (Moscow) opens the exhibition “Children’s reading. From home libraries of Muscovites. Posters and children’s books, 1880-1980s”. This is a joint project of the museum, Mary Chapkina and the publishing house “Contact-Culture”.

The exhibition features books, posters and journals for children of 1880-1980s. The children’s book in the usual form appeared only in 1970s of the XIX century. In the books for children of that time are depicted the beginnings of the aesthetics of the XX century, but in 1980s of the same century are dominated beautiful covers and unpretentious paged illustrations.

At the beginning of the XX century the children’s book becomes a work of art. From now, the artist and the writer are equal collaborators, and sometimes the artist plays a key role.

Since the mid 1950s the book became an integral part of the life of a child. The children’s illustrated book has very important meaning and now, in the age of electronic media.

Included to the exposition, the books continue an active life: they are loved, read, repaired and passed from one child to another.

The separate exhibition is children’s poster. The children’s poster, mostly, wore pedagogical nature. Posters of 1950s-1960s paint the image of the Soviet schoolboy, highlighting the most striking positive traits, which he should possess.

In parallel with children’s book, the periodicals developed. Since 1924 and till the present day “Murzilka” is published, this journal is listed to the Guinness Book of Records as the “journal for children with the most durable edition”.

The exhibition “Children’s reading” is open till March 31, 2013.