Denver Botanic Gardens Exhibit: 80 Years of Golden Books Art

We have been members of the Denver Botanic Gardens (off and on) for at least 15 years. So, not only do I get the press releases to this site about events, I get member emails and we’re over there all the time. I am also a sucker for nostalgia, so when I saw the title “Golden Legacy: Original Art from 80 Years of Golden Books,” as an upcoming event – I gasped and also went back in time.

First published in 1942, Little Golden Books used a uniform size to sell picture books at a modest price, making reading more accessible to families across the United States. Today, Little Golden Books has more than 700 book titles through Penguin Random House and has featured numerous Caldecott Medal winning illustrators.

Not only did I read them till they were worn out as a child, I sought out my favorites for my kid to have too. I honestly had no idea how many new titles are out now, including ones about Taylor Swift and Betty White! Of course, we all loved Pokey Little Puppy, right? My forever faves are Tootle and the Tawny Scrawny Lion.

The exhibition includes 36 works on paper, first-edition copies of Golden Books, and a reading nook. On view October 15, 2023 – February 18, 2024, Golden Legacy is included with Gardens’ general admission. The illustrations are made in a variety of media, including gouache, watercolor, ink and charcoal. The biographies of eight illustrators are presented in the gallery, including four artists who also worked for Disney. The Gardens’ Helen Fowler Library has many Little Golden Book titles in their collection that can be browsed by all – and checked out by Gardens members.

Sounds like a perfect thing to do at the Gardens over the winter. See you there!