Step into the Pages of Children’s Books at BUILDING STORIES in National Building Museum

The National Building Museum’s newest long-term exhibition explores the world of architecture, engineering, construction, and design found in the pages of children’s books.

BUILDING STORIES is “the most ambitious exhibition ever undertaken by the Museum” and will be on display for ten years. Curator Leonard Marcus explains more about the exhibit at it’s opening in this video:

In partnership with Marcus, a leading expert on children’s literature, and with special assistance from authors, illustrators, and creatives like David Macaulay (Rome Antics), BUILDING STORIES comprises four distinct galleries that bring children’s books to life.

The exhibition highlights 150 of the most memorable books published for young readers, but new books and highlights will be added throughout the exhibition’s run.

Highlights include:

• An alphabet book wall;
• Original preparatory work artwork (‘book dummies’) for Goodnight Moon and Hello Lighthouse;
• A special installation by David Macaulay lifting the curtain on his creative process;
• Book nooks galore!

Explore the building blocks of the written word, the concept of home, how scale play inspires the relationship to physical surroundings, and how to proactively reshape and improve one’s environment.

BUILDING STORIES is designed for multigenerational audiences and will be available at the National Building Museum – with exciting updates and accompanying programming over the next decade.