Children’s book week, November 15th to 20th 1920
A hand-painted replica of Jessie Willcox Smith’s masterpiece Children’s book week, November 15th to 20th 1920, meticulously crafted by professional artists to capture the true essence of the original. Each piece is created with museum-quality canvas and rare mineral pigments, carefully painted by experienced artists with delicate brushstrokes and rich, layered colors to perfectly recreate the texture of the original artwork. Unlike machine-printed reproductions, this hand-painted version brings the painting to life, infused with the artist’s emotions and skill in every stroke. Whether for personal collection or home decoration, it instantly elevates the artistic atmosphere of any space.
Jessie Willcox Smith, a prominent American illustrator, created the artwork titled Children’s Book Week, November 15th to 20th 1920 as part of a promotional campaign for the inaugural Children’s Book Week in the United States. This event, which continues to be celebrated annually, was established to encourage a love of reading among children and to highlight the importance of quality literature for young audiences. Smith’s illustration was commissioned by the event organizers to serve as a poster, promoting the week-long celebration and its mission.
The artwork features Smith’s signature style, characterized by soft, warm tones and a focus on the innocence and charm of childhood. In the image, a young girl and boy are depicted engrossed in a book, their expressions conveying curiosity and wonder. The background is simple and uncluttered, drawing attention to the children and the book they are reading. The composition reflects Smith’s ability to capture the intimate and tender moments of childhood, a hallmark of her work.
Jessie Willcox Smith was one of the most influential illustrators of the early 20th century, known for her contributions to children’s literature and magazines. Her illustrations appeared in numerous books, including classics such as A Child’s Garden of Verses by Robert Louis Stevenson and The Water-Babies by Charles Kingsley. She was also a regular contributor to magazines like Good Housekeeping, where her artwork often graced the covers.
The Children’s Book Week poster from 1920 is considered a significant piece of Smith’s body of work, as it not only showcases her artistic talent but also aligns with her dedication to promoting children’s literature. The poster played a key role in the success of the first Children’s Book Week, helping to establish the event as a national tradition. The campaign was organized by Franklin K. Mathiews, the librarian of the Boy Scouts of America, in collaboration with Frederic G. Melcher, a publisher, and Anne Carroll Moore, a children’s librarian. Together, they sought to inspire a lifelong love of reading in children and to emphasize the value of books in their development.
Today, Jessie Willcox Smith’s Children’s Book Week, November 15th to 20th 1920 remains an enduring symbol of the event’s origins and its ongoing mission to celebrate children’s literature. The poster is often referenced in discussions of early 20th-century illustration and the history of children’s book publishing in the United States.
