CMH’s Exhibition of Soñadora Inspires Summer Reading

When Yuyi Morales immigrated to the United States with her baby, libraries helped her adjust to her new home. Through picture books she learned English along with her son, and she found a new passion for children’s stories that would make her one of the most celebrated Latina illustrators.

This summer, the Museum is proud to present original illustrations from Morales’ books as part of its Soñadora exhibit. Curated by the National Center for Children’s Illustrated Literature, this exhibit features more than forty of Morales’ illustrations, including selections from Viva Frida, winner of the Pura Belpré Award and a Caldecott Honor Book. The exhibit’s magical and poignant illustrations feature universal themes such as family love, as well as Yuyi’s own experiences as an immigrant.

In presenting this exhibit, the Museum hopes to not only inspire visitors, but also encourage summer reading. Next to the exhibition of Soñadora is CMH’s on-site Houston Public Library branch, where children can borrow Morales’ books, sign up for HPL library cards, and receive prizes for participating in HPL’s summer reading program. As children expand their horizons through books and experiences at CMH, they can dream big dreams like Morales, who writes that, “We are the dreamers of the world…someday we will become something we haven’t yet imagined.”

The Museum’s exhibition of Soñadora would not be possible without the CFP Foundation. For the past fourteen years, CFP Foundation has supported the Museum’s efforts to encourage childhood literacy through annual exhibitions of original children's book illustrations.

Yuyi Morales: Soñadora will be exhibited in the Museum’s John P. McGovern Kids’ Hall through September 24, 2023.

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