By Laurie O’Neill — Laurie@concordbridge.org
Once upon a time, there was a forest of firs, each one decorated with magical images that celebrated a children’s picture book.
The trees drew families from near and far who thought the display so special that it was repeated year after year.
The 29th annual Family Trees: A Celebration of Children’s Literature runs through January 1 at the Concord Museum. The trees, set up throughout the building and decorated by volunteers, are inspired by both classic and new books and are meant to spark children’s curiosity and foster a love of reading.
The event is sponsored by Barefoot Books and is “a proud tradition” for the Museum, says its executive director, Lisa Krassner. ”We look forward to seeing the engagement of our young visitors and families each year as well as the highly anticipated creations of our decorators who bring the stories to life.”
A walk in Fairy Land
Micha Archer, a Western Massachusetts author, artist, and illustrator, is this year’s Family Trees honorary chair. Her book “What’s New, Daniel?” is the theme for one of the trees.
Another tree is inspired by Concord author Linda Booth Sweeney’s book “The Noisy Puddle: A Vernal Pool Through the Seasons,” illustrated by Micki Sato.
Sweeney came up with the idea for it while walking in Concord’s Hapgood Wright Town Forest, known as Fairy Land.
“The Noisy Puddle” tree is a “fun way for kids to explore the familiar and not-so-familiar creatures that make up a surprising web of life in these vital pop-up pools,” she says.
Meet the creators
“An Afternoon with Authors and Illustrators” on December 15 will afford museum visitors the chance to meet some of the books’ creators: Sweeney, Scott Magoon, Lisa Robinson, Kari Allen, Ellen Mayer, Megan Litwin, Toni Buzzeo, and Anika Aldamuy Denise.
The museum also features a sculpture installation inspired by the children’s book “Ayo’s Adventure: Across the African Diaspora from Afro to Zulu,” written by Ain Heath Drew and illustrated by Erin K. Robinson. Artists Char Jeré and Meaghan Elyse, in partnership with a Barefoot Books design team, created the sculpture.
Groups that decorated this year’s trees: Orchard House, Milldam Nursery School, Lincoln Public Library, Magic Garden Children’s Center in Lincoln, Concord Council on Aging, Concord Free Public Library Children’s Room, Thoreau Elementary School, The Robbins House, Concord Conservatory of Music, Art for All, The Fenn School, West Concord Green Thumbs, Garden Club of Concord, Islamic Center of Boston in Wayland, Concord Carousel Preschool, and the Concord Recreation Department AfterSchool Program.
Tickets are $20 for adults, $15 for seniors, $10 for youth (6-17), and free for children 2 and under. The Concord Museum is at 53 Cambridge Turnpike. Hours are Tuesday to Friday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For details, visit concordmuseum.org.
