Chicago — The Art Institute of Chicago has released its first children’s alphabet book in two decades, offering families a new way to explore the museum’s collection. Titled ABCs at the Art Institute of Chicago, the book showcases 26 works of art, from classic pieces like Georges Seurat’s Sunday on La Grande Jatte to contemporary highlights such as Bisa Butler’s Safety Patrol.
Associate Vice President of Publishing Katie Reilly explained that alphabet books are perennial best‑sellers for the museum, and the decision to create a custom edition was a chance to put the Institute’s own spin on the format. The book opens with a striking image of “Armor for Man and Horse” for the letter A and concludes with a vivid graphic textile of zebras by Victor Vasarely.
Highlights from the collection
Readers will encounter a diverse range of works, including a quilt by Bisa Butler, prints by Rufino Tamayo and Hashiguchi Goyo, and a robot by Nam June Paik. Chicago‑born artists are also represented, such as a print by the late Tony Fitzpatrick and the iconic lion statues by sculptor Edward Kemeys.
The book was authored by Maura Flood, director of Creative Spaces and Special Projects at the museum’s Ryan Learning Center, and Robin Schnur, the Woman’s Board Executive Director at the same center. Both emphasized the goal of fostering visual literacy and a lifelong love of art among young readers.
Family day launch event
To celebrate the launch, the Institute hosted a family‑day event on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Ryan Learning Center, 159 E. Monroe St., in the Modern Wing across from Millennium Park. Activities included live readings, art‑making stations with clay, collage, and watercolor, and guided sessions led by Chicago librarian Megan McFarlane and artist Annie Kielman.
Attendees were invited to bring their own snacks or sack lunches. “We wanted to include icons of the museum’s collection and represent the breadth and diversity of our holdings,” Schnur said in an email. “We hope this book will spark a love of language, a love of art, and a lifelong connection to the Art Institute of Chicago.”
The alphabet book is priced at $15 and is available for purchase online, at the museum shop, and at every Chicago Public Library branch. While the primary audience is children ages 2‑5, the Institute notes that older children can also benefit from the visual and reading experience.
Original reporting: Block Club Chicago — read the source article.
