I wish I had known about this book and exhibit much earlier! My family loved it, and it is too good of an activity to pass up! Nightly Night, Noah: An Ark Alphabet is a beautiful book. It’s sweet, vibrant, engaging, and perfect for bedtime. Large, framed illustrations from the book are hung on the exhibit wall, and my husband and I would both love to have them in our home.

The book is featured at “Read Me a Picture,” an exhibit at Tempe Center for the Arts. We badly needed a break in the middle of a very hectic Saturday. The entire experience was like a breath of fresh air. We would trade off taking the kids around to see all of the illustrations and snuggling up with a child in one of their chairs to read one of the stories on display. We almost had the place to ourselves. It was cool and quiet and the kids loved the “make your own book” project! You have to move quickly but both the book and the exhibit are a must see!

The Book

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Nighty Night, Noah: An Ark Alphabet

Author/Illustrator: Molly Schaar Idle

Recommended Age: 0-5 years old

Website: http://www.idleillustration.com

Book Brief: As the sun sets on the ark and the waves rock the boat, it’s time for everyone to go to sleep. It is then that Noah tucks in the animals (two by two) and in alphabetical order. Kids not only learn the alphabet and the different kinds of animals, they also get to see the animals going through the bed time rituals that they themselves go through with their parents—brushing teeth, asking for another drink of water, saying prayers.

About the Author/Illustrator: “I’ve been drawing ever since I could wield a pencil, at the tender age of 18 months, though my professional career began slightly later…

Upon graduating from Arizona State University, with a BFA in Drawing, I accepted an offer to work for DreamWorks Feature Animation Studio as a final line animator. After five years, a number of film credits, and an incredibly good time, I left the studio and leapt with gusto into the world of children’s book illustration.

Now, I live in Arizona with my fabulous husband, two mischievous sons, and three snuggly cats. And, when not making mischief with my boys, or watching old black and white movies with a cat in my lap, I can be found at my desk scribbling away a plethora of profoundly whimsical projects!”

The Blast

Read Me a Picture:  AZ Children’s Book Illustrators

Tempe Center for the Arts

Cost: Free!

Dates: Through Sept. 19

Times: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Tuesday through Friday
11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday
Open during most special events and performances.

Location: 700 W. Rio Salado Parkway – Tempe, AZ 85281

Its a Blast! The thriving art scene of contemporary published children’s book illustrators living in Arizona will be on display in “Read Me a Picture: Arizona Children’s Book Illustrators” from July 18 through Sept. 19 at the Gallery at Tempe Center for the Arts, 700 W. Rio Salado Parkway.

The exhibition will showcase artwork by more than nine Arizona artists whose illustrations have been published in children’s books. The exhibition will have elements about the strong connection between visual literacy and reading literacy for children.

Artists are: Molly Idle, of Tempe; Tanje Bauerle, of Gilbert; David Christiana, Chris Gall and Paul Mirocha, all of Tucson; Shonto Begay and Baje Whitehorne, both of Flagstaff; Anne Coe, of Apache Junction; and Sylvia Long, of Scottsdale.

Collaborating organizations are the Arizona State University Department of Speech & Hearing Science and Changing Hands Bookstore in support of children’s literary education with the help of inspirational artwork by artists who understand the importance of the relationship between pictures and words in the lives of children.

The Gallery at TCA offers visitors a warm and friendly environment for thoughtful and engaging experiences. The Gallery showcases a variety of curated, traveling and juried exhibitions, from contemporary art by local and internationally recognized artists to themes of popular and cultural interest.

Extra Tips for a Good Time!

• The Gallery is located near the back of the Art Center . . .  just walk in. (There are a few books out on display in the lobby, that’s not the exhibit. We were confused for a few seconds, but maybe it was just us.)
• Be ready to take your time, relax ,and explore. You don’t have to plan ahead on this one. We just dropped in, took 30-60 min., and went on with our day. But is was memorable and fun quality time and well worth it!
• Do you have an artist in the family? Molly Schaar Idle teaches illustration classes to kids! Look here. Be sure to peruse Molly’s website, It’s great!
• View a YouTube trailer of Nighty Night, Noah and her upcoming book, Nighty Night, Baby Jesus.