Attention Mo Willems fanatics…one of the cutest art exhibits has arrived in New York City and fans of all ages will want to check it out – The Art and Whimsy of Mo Willems at the New-York Historical Society.
The Art and Whimsy of Mo Willems at the New-York Historical Society
One of my daughter’s favorite books as a toddler was Don’t Let The Pigeons Drive The Bus! and in the past six years, we’ve collected at least a dozen other Willems’ titles. I love how hysterical kids get when these books are read aloud and I also love how engaging these books are for new readers. Willems’ adorable characters, easy to read copy and funny storylines are a win-win for grown ups and kids alike and so is this exhibit.
The Art and Whimsy of Mo Willems at the New-York Historical Society
Running through September 25, the exhibit highlights nearly 100 sketches and final drawings of the famed author’s works (like Knuffle Bunny and Elephant and Piggie) along with background on his career (including his Sesame Street days!), videos and memorabilia ranging from the early days to his 25th and final Elephant and Piggie book, The Thank You Book.
The exhibit includes an audio tour so you can follow along or you can just peruse at your own pace. My daughter listened to a large portion of the audio tour which included jokes and detailed descriptions of the artwork. In addition to visiting the art displays and gift shop, guests will also want to rest and read at exhibit’s bus display which is stocked with Mo Willems books.
The Art and Whimsy of Mo Willems at the New-York Historical Society
One of the biggest takeaways from the exhibit was learning how Willems created his characters by using shapes and my daughter got to try out Willems’ techniques with a hands-on sketch class. It was so fun watching my daughter and the other students learning how to draw the beloved pigeon. If you’ve got a little artist, I highly recommend attending one of these complimentary sketch classes.
Don’t miss the sketching tours at The Art and Whimsy of Mo Willems.
Before you visit, be sure to check out the exhibit’s schedule which includes story times, movies, sketching classes, character meet and greet opportunities and more.
If you haven’t visited the New-York Historical Society before, don’t miss the DiMenna Children’s History Museum on the lower level which features a wide range of interactive activities and a gorgeous reading room.
Are you looking forward to visiting this exhibit? What’s your favorite Mo Willems’ book? Tell me below in the comments.
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– This mini-me version of the classic board game is a great gift for boys and girls. In addition to the traditional version, there are also themed games including the ever-popular Frozen.
– My daughter got this as a birthday present and it was an immediate hit. Barbie is really traveling in style these days with roof-top dining, chandelier lighting, pull-out swimming pool with slide, fire pit, bathroom and more. Girls will love taking their Barbies “glamping” as they play for hours. Make sure to leave yourselves some time to put together the pieces and attach the zillions of stickers.
(in pink or blue) – A humidifier isn’t exactly a toy but when it can project fun images onto ceilings, I think that changes everything. You can choose from starry night, sea and safari themes (each theme features three images) which can be projected with or without the humidifier running. If you’re looking for a way to combat winter dryness and keep your babes soothed as they fall asleep, this is sure to please.
– Young experimenters will love this STEM culinary science kit. The kid includes materials to make ten tasty projects including fizzy drinks, rock candy, and other sweet treats. I love that it teaches kids about flavors, taste buds and sensory cues with a little chemistry thrown in for good measure.
– If you’ve got little Peppa fans, this colorful book is sure to please. I love that it teaches kids how to behave in museums and gives them an idea of what to expect during their first museum visits.
– My daughter and I love exploring New York’s scenic Central Park so I was interested to check out this tale of animal characters who live in the park. The book is comprised of ten short stories making it is a great option for emerging readers who can rely on comprehension rather than photos.
– I love gorgeous oversized children’s picture books but if they don’t hold my daughter’s interest, they just sit on the bookshelf, and yes, we have a collection of those… My daughter is continuously drawn to this book which showcases details of people and their varied lifestyles across the globe. From clothing and housing to religions and customs, this book is a great option for teaching diversity.
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versions perfect for globetrotting kids (and adults too).
– Pop-Up books are always a hit with kids and this pop-up atlas makes learning geography fun. My daughter never tires of lifting the flaps and pull tabs to uncover interesting details from around the world. Its fairly sturdy but I wouldn’t leave toddlers unsupervised with it…
– For girls who love, love, love Eloise, this treasury is sure to please. This is a great choice for young travelers since it features Eloise in Moscow and Eloise in Paris as well as Eloise at Christmastime and the original Eloise story and scrapbook.
– For kids who are old enough to plan family adventures, this coffee table book is filled with travel itineraries and suggestions for trips across the United States and Canada.
– Pre-teens will love this award-winning adventurous tale about two kids who hide out in NYC’s Metropolitan Museum of Art. They bathe in the museum’s fountains and sleep in royal beds as they run away from home and discover a mystery along the way.
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to trip planning guides and 
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which are great for little hands.
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