Children’s books have always served as mirrors to society’s concept of childhood. Traditionally regarded as a means of education, picture books were often used to teach children the right way to behave and to show them what was expected of them. This concept of childhood has completely changed over the past two decades. The new approach in education talks about empowering the child and encourages parents to help their children develop their own distinct personality. Adults are expected to provide children with freedom to explore so they can discover the world through personal experience. Today, this literature doesn’t try to educate its readers or present them with preferable types of behavior. Rather, it strives to show children exactly as they are. They don’t tidy up their rooms before going to sleep; they don’t mind sitting on the table or eating with their hands. As for their playgrounds, these are always presented as joyful places filled with life and completely lacking in rules.

This exhibition presents the illustrated books for children by 16 Israeli artists. Covering 8 themes, with the illustrations abundant with childlike innocence and purity, interpreted in 3 languages such as Chinese, English and Hebrew, these books depict the freedom, happiness, disorder, and adventures in the children’s world. These works also show a new approach to the role of the adult. Parents are partners in play rather than educational figures. The child knows the parent can be counted on for help and support. In a sense, these new children’s books allow adults to forget about their roles as parents for a moment, and relive their childhood memories.