Bookmaking: Tunnel Books with "The Six Swans"

Join staff from the Children's Literature Research Collection for a hands-on program where participants will make their own tunnel book based on artwork housed in our collections. A tunnel book is a three-dimensional form created with layered panels and cutouts that form an immersive scene.

This tunnel book project will take inspriation from Caldecott winners Berta and Elmer Hader and their artwork featured in the October 1925 issue of , currently on view in the Rare Book Department. The artwork depicts a scene from "The Six Swans*," a fairy tale transcribed by Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm. While the Haders' original design required a shoebox to create a diorama, the tunnel book design allows participants to have a version that can fit on a shelf for easy storage.

Particpants will be required to fold, cut, and glue to complete the project.

Please note: This event will take place on the Rare Book Department Balcony, located on the third floor of Parkway Central Library. Attendees will be able to view the galleries until 7pm.

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The Free Library of Philadelphia’s Children’s Literature Research Collection (CLRC) is one of the premier centers for the study of children’s literature in the United States. The Collection houses over 100,000 works of children’s literature and an archive of original artwork, manuscripts, and ephemera. The Children’s Literature Research Collection promotes the history, study, and development of children’s literature. CLRC engages the public about the importance of children’s literature in history and culture; expands the knowledge base of library patrons through research support; and fosters new ideas through displays and exhibitions.

*Story and translation courtesy of D. L. Alishman, University of Pittsburgh

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Host or Publisher Children's Literature Research Collection, Free Library of Philadelphia