By Claire Langdon

On Friday morning, Madeline, Emma and I led a tour at Pequot Library, entitled the “Poe and Witches Exhibit”. The exhibit was centered around the theme of imagination and idealization, especially in reference to the writings of Edgar Allan Poe and the Salem witch trials: perfect topics, as Halloween is just around the corner!

When the elementary school class from a local town arrived, we began an architectural tour, as it is important to appreciate the unique patterns, art, and craftsmanship that can be seen throughout the library. On the library’s exterior, there are often overlooked dates chiseled above the arched, pink granite entrances, which read 1637 and 1887. The latter represents the year of the library’s opening, and the former represents the year of the first recorded event in Southport, Connecticut: the Great Swamp Fight. The battle marked the ending of the Pequot War, and it is believed by experts at the Mashantucket Pequot Reservation that many artifacts still lie beneath homes and wetlands in the surrounding area.

As we continued to lead the group of children throughout the library, we arrived at the “stacks”. Originally donated by renowned town philanthropists, the Wakeman family, the stacks still house adult books in the extensive rows of books, which are bejeweled with Tiffany glass windows. The upstairs of the stack, which was most students’ favorite part of the tour, has a thick glass floor and retired gas lines, which, historically, would provide light for the readers on the floor below as evening fell.

Upstairs in the Stacks, Courtesy of tappe.com

After the architectural tour, we lectured the students on the witch trials of the 1600’s. Though most of them had heard of the Salem witch trials, they were surprised to hear that Fairfield has a dark history of trying and dunking or hanging accused witches. After discussing the significance of primary sources with them, we read aloud from a book in the display case that entailed the ideas of witch trial proponents Increase and Cotton Mather. In relation to the theme of imagination and idealization, we discussed with the students how the imaginations of the people at the time, who had little proof of cause if anything went awry, might be fueled by influential writers such as the Mathers, or town leaders such as Rodger Ludlowe. Additionally, we discussed how the term “grim” is applicable to both the trials and Poe’s works, and how thematic parallels can be drawn despite the difference in time period. We finished by conversing about our current idealization of witches; how we imagine them to be evil with green skin and a pointy hat, or kind and fairy-like, as Glinda is portrayed in the Wizard of Oz.

Following out tour of the witch exhibit, we transitioned into Perkins Gallery to explore imagination and idealization in the context of Edgar Allan Poe’s short stories. Specifically, the focal point of the exhibit was Poe’s dark imagination, and what he triggered in our own imaginations, as well as others’. Alongside his own works, many of the artifacts were renditions of some of his famous works, such as cartoon posters of The Raven, a miniature cat jack-in-the-box version of The Black Cat, and tiny coffin-shaped copy of The Premature Burial. Grim daguerreotypes and compositions transported our imaginations back to the grim lifestyle of the Puritans during the period of witch trials.

The Black Cat

A quote from Poe, expressing the grim darkness that plagued his life and trickled into his literary works, as well as a blown up picture of his daguerrotype.

By exploring both the Salem Witch Trials and the works of Edgar Allan Poe in the context of imagination and idealization, as well as how our own imaginations are impacted by literary works, the students were able to make connections between two separate points in history. By exploring a common theme in the light of two different time periods and multiple different authors, parallels can be drawn between idealization and works of art and literature.

By Claire Langdon

Recently, the Wonderland BookSavers visited the Eric Carle Museum in Amherst, Massachusetts. The picturesque facility sits on idyllic farmland, surrounded by verdant pastures and mountains. The museum itself boasts a countless variety of artwork by illustrator and author Eric Carle: the work ranges from large canvas paintings to small collages. Additionally, the Eric Carle Museum exhibits the art and literary works of other artists and authors, and houses a fabulous library, bookstore and an arts and crafts workshop.

Above is a picture of the arts and crafts room. They taught us how to make our own creative stamps with which we could create our own prints! We took our inspiration from the colorful simplicity of Eric Carle’s collages.

This time, the special exhibits consisted of an exhibition of Beverly Cleary’s books and characters, as well as an intriguing exhibit on the works of Robert McCloskey, the author of childhood classics such as Blueberries for Sal and Make Way for Ducklings. Cleary’s exhibit showcased drafts and developments on stories and characters such as Ramona Quimby and The Mouse and the Motorcycle. 

We found the illustrations, drafts and products of these prestigious authors to be inspiring to our own efforts in writing and art. As aspiring students and writers, we are often told that drafts are the key to potent and eloquent pieces, but seeing their processes incarnated this advice into reality.

Above are drafts of the illustrations for Make Way for Ducklings and the cover of Blueberries for Sal.

Within the exhibition galleries, there are always relevant books flanked by chairs and benched, encouraging children and adults alike to sit and read a book. This promotion of literacy is one reason that we love visiting the Eric Carle Museum: it demonstrates that literature and learning can be fun, and explores the impact of art on books.

Outside of the cozy library, there are large versions of some of Carle’s most recognizable characters from his widely cherished childrens’ books, including those from The Very Hungry Catepillar.

Overall, the Eric Carle Museum is host to a spectrum of engaging and enlightening activities and exhibits. The exceptionally curated exhibits are continually renewed with engaging exhibits laden with art and literature, and the Eric Carle Museum has become a favorite stop!

By Claire Langdon

This past Thursday, I was in New York City for an audition. Before the appointment, we walked around the Theater District and Times Square in order to find a book store so that we would have something to read in the waiting room. It was then that we stumbled across a very unique book store: The Drama Book Shop. 

As suggested by its name, the shop carries merchandise related to show business. Entire plays by a spectrum of authors await the hands of voracious actors, authors and directors alike. Often, actors pass the time before auditions in the rickety yet comfortable assorted chairs and couches, because the overall atosphere of the Drama Book Shop is amicable and inviting. 

The merchandise itself includes scripts from the newest Broadway plays, to books on costume making, to guides on the lighting of Wicked the musical. There are even examples of elaborate and avant garde costumes of such originality, that one would only see anything like them in the tiny “theater world” nestled within the shop’s walls. 

Personally, we settled for the classics; there was an entire wall dedicated to Shakespearian plays in a variety of different publishers. On our way to the register, we even found a print of William Shakespeare completely composed out of phrases and titles from his plays. The timelessness of his plays go to show the integral role that quality literature plays in the lives of individuals and audiences, even over the course of centuries. 

The Drama Book Shop is a very original and unique store. Conveniently located on the outskirts of Times Square, it provides a familial atmosphere and a source for the inspiration and study of all things theatrical. 

On Friday, the Wonderland BookSavers ventured to Pequot Library for Shakespeare-themed tours and family fun night. The day began with a tour of Pequot’s primary and secondary Shakespearian sources by Susie Whitcomb and Beth Beaudin, both of Yale University. As we peered over the protective glass cases at ornate illustrations and fading folios of William Shakespeare’s plays, Susie Whitcomb, who is also our community partner at Haitian Education Initiatives, spoke in great depth about the history of the books. Each folio, quarto and octavo had a unique historical background; the folios were printed of the Gutenburg press, which implies that Shakespearian texts were highly sought after, since printing on a press would have required a vast conglomeration of resources and effort. Some of the smaller books were even used as social props for learned people to attract scholarly suitors!

After talking about the origins of the texts, including the interesting fact that no text is exactly alike, due to thousands of corrections made over printing, the conversation took an intriguing twist; the guides began talking about the significance of costume as portrayed in every individual performance of any Shakespearian play. Many groups try to maintain historical accuracy by donning costumes reflective of the Elizabethan era. Contrarily, other groups often pinpoint a certain era from which parallels can be drawn between happenings of the period to happenings in the play, or choose to work in completely modern attire, figuring that that is what Shakespeare would have strived for even in the Elizabethan era; modern clothing. As Dr. Whitcomb phrased it, “they thought they were being cool”! Some of the books relayed these messages for themselves; one book, published circa 1935, sported figures drawn in such Art Deco fashion that they were reminiscent of figures found on Greek and Roman pots. Overall, the analysis of costuming practices throughout Shakespearian literature brought engaging depth to the tour.

Following the dissipation of the group, we visited the remainder of the exhibition, including a fascinating canvas covered with common saying that we have derived from William Shakespeare’s plays.

A few hours later, we returned for Pequot Library’s Shakespeare Family Festival. Among the activities were guest speakers, fencing demonstrations, recitations, and crafts. First, we listened as Elise Broach, author of Shakespeare’s Secret, delved into the history behind her novel, including the perplexing arguments on whether William Shakespeare actually wrote the plays that he is credited with writing, or whether they were the work of someone else. Afterwards, we headed for the auditorium, alive with drama clubs reciting sonnets and acting out scenes, and the sword fighting demonstrations.

The Shakespeare Family Festival at our local library connected a community through a simple yet beautiful prospect: to fuel the flame of enthusiasm over Shakespeare’s immortal works by renewing interest in the history embedded within his texts. This event provided continued motivation for us to spread quality literature worldwide, as we witnessed the effects of an author who lived over 500 years ago.