Family Trees: Annual Exhibit Charms the Town

We often hear of a childhood book that features prominently in a person's life—inspiring and influencing many years after first being read. The New York Times Book Review editor Sam Tanenhaus has said that "the books we discover in childhood remain in many ways the most important we will ever read."

At the during Family Trees: A Celebration of Children's Literature, visitors of all ages are invited to discover new children's books as well as old favorites, all serving as inspiration for 35 colorful and charming decorated trees. The creative volunteers who designed the trees—or "three-dimensional bookmarks" as the Boston Globe called them—have drawn from work by award-winning authors and illustrators ranging from Thumbelina, first written by Hans Christian Andersen in 1835, to the 2010 bestseller My Garden by Kevin Henkes.

The Museum was abuzz with activity this past weekend as the benefit event, organized by co-chairs Betsy Yamron and Miranda Boylan, opened to the public. On Friday, librarians from all over the Metrowest region toured Family Trees, enjoying the work of colleagues like Karen Ahearn, children's librarian at the who has decorated a tree with Pamela Bracco, based on Ed and Rebecca Emberley's delightful retelling of the classic Chicken Little.

Illustrator Pamela Zagarenski, whose book Red Sings from Treetops was named a Caldecott Honor Book in 2009, also visited on Friday with her aunt Barbara Freeland of Concord. Barbara and seven other members of the Garden Club of Concord interpreted the award-winning illustrator's book with ornaments made of paper, ribbon, braiding and sequins.

On Friday evening, 120 members and friends of the museum celebrated the opening of the 15th year of Family Trees with a champagne toast by president of the Board of Governors Churchill Franklin and serenading by The Patriettes, a women's a cappella group from . The fete, organized by long-time volunteers Lauren Huyett and Judy Blaikie Lane, featured delicious hors d'oeuvres prepared by Concord chef Ben Elliott.

Saturday brought 11 distinguished picture book authors and illustrators who engaged an audience of over 150 adults and children of all ages in conversation and book signing, organized by Susan Foster, the Museum's Director of Education. Tillie Lays an Egg author Terry Golson of Carlisle told stories of her chickens and helped young visitors find where Tillie had laid her egg on the tree decorated by Alissa Nicol of Acton. Peter H. Reynolds, author/illustrator of The Dot, autographed books with clever on-the-spot drawings of each visiting child.

Clare Beaton, a author/illustrator who had come to Concord from England for the occasion, told of making over 200 felt ornaments for her tree based on her book, One Moose, Twenty Mice. Barefoot Books is the lead sponsor of Family Trees this year.

"We are delighted to be the main sponsor of this year's Family Trees, which has become a treasured holiday tradition over the years," said Nancy Traversy, Co-founder and CEO of Barefoot Books, and longtime Concord resident. "Supporting the Concord Museum Family Trees exhibit exemplifies our mission of helping families use timeless stories to encourage their children's imaginations as they learn about the world. Our involvement is particularly meaningful this year as we celebrate the opening of our flagship store and community center in Concord, and look for ways to give back to the community that inspire children's creativity."

Another highlight of the weekend was a visit from the beloved children's book character Spot. This larger-than-life costumed character was portrayed on Saturday by Jackie Luckner and on Sunday by Vicky Fadden, students at Concord-Carlisle High School. Young children found it hard to resist a hug from Spot, the forever young puppy first drawn by Eric Hill in 1980.

Many of the visitors on Sunday were employees of the Town of Concord and their families, invited to tour Family Trees as guests of the museum in appreciation for their work throughout the year.

Honorary Chair of Family Trees, esteemed author Gregory Maguire, whose own book Leaping Beauty provided inspiration for Betsi Mandrioli's whimsical tree, penned the introduction to this year's program given to each visitor.

"Nothing evokes the essence of the December holidays better than the style, the aroma, the light and the magic of the humble fir tree lovingly decorated by hands young and old," he wrote. "Nothing evokes the essence of childhood better than the
magic of the stories of childhood. Family Trees celebrates these twin delights. Come visit the Concord Museum's forest of story during the cheeriest time of the winter."

Family Trees continues through January 2.

Family Trees Admission: During this benefit event, admission is $15 adults, $10 seniors, $6 children (4-18); children under 4 and members free. Family Trees admission includes all of the Museum galleries and the special exhibition, A little scrap for recollection's sake: Quilts from the Concord Museum.

Museum Hours: Monday – Saturday 9 – 5 p.m., Sunday 12 – 5 p.m. The Museum will be closed all day on Christmas Day and at 1 p.m. on Christmas Eve. The Museum will be open on New Year's Day, Jan. 1 from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. For further information contact the Concord Museum at (978) 369-9763 or visitwww.concordmuseum.org.