CEDAR FALLS -- Reading a children's book without illustrations is like … homework.

Colorful illustrations provide a visual narrative, reinforcing the written word and engaging children in imaginative, inspiring ways. Children relish the telling and retelling of stories and folk tales, but for many years, African-American children did not see themselves reflected in picture books and children's literature, except as stereotypes or in negative images.

Eventually doors began to open for African-American authors and illustrators, and the Coretta Scott King Award was established to honor writers and artists, validating their creativity. Faith Ringgold, Leo and Diane Dillon and Ashley Bryan are among artists/illustrators whose work is featured in the nationally touring "Picture Stories: A Celebration of African-American Illustrators."

The exhibition is on display through March 4 at the Hearst Center for the Arts. Other featured artists are E.B. Lewis, Floyd Cooper, Eric Velasquez, Daniel Minter, James Ransome, Bryan Collier, Adjoa Burrowes and Leonard Jenkins.

The show celebrates the talents of contemporary African-American children's book illustrations, says Hearst director Mary Huber.

"It's a culturally significant exhibition. It wasn't until the 1960s that African American illustrators began to be published, but even then progress was very slow and we didn't see a lot of titles until the 1990s. An article in 1965's Saturday Review about the 'all-white world of children's books' brought attention to the problem, particularly among children's librarians. Librarians helped establish the Coretta Scott King award as a way to encourage artists and writers," she explains.

"Picture Stories" is also part of the Hearst Center's focus on showcasing illustrations as part of their mission and collecting illustrations for the permanent collection. The display was organized by Smith Kramer Fine Art Services and next travels to Amherst, Mass.

Award-winning artist E. B. Lewis will visit the Hearst Center for a series of public events. Numerous events for children and their families has been planned, says Lindsay Haskins, Hearst development director.

"The exhibition appeals to adults, not just children, because the art itself is wonderful," she says.

Illustrations on display range from Lewis' illustrations for "Talkin' About Bessie," the story of Elizabeth "Bessie" Coleman, the first African-American female navigator, and "Joe-Joe's First Flight"; to Ringgold's artwork from "Tar Beach," her first children's book, which features a story quilt; and the lifelike images from "Champion: The Story of Muhammed Ali," created by Velasquez, whose "The Piano Man" illustrations are also shown.

Ashley Bryan was one of the first illustrators to see his work published in 1967. As a child, he created books for his family. As an adult, he has written and illustrated a dozen books, including "The Story of Lightning and Thunder," based on a African folk tale with images using colorful forms and rhythmic patterns, and "How God Fix Jonah," with its black-and-white linoleum block prints.

The Dillons depict folk legends and tales with exquisite precision and fine details. Their dramatic art, such as that found in "Mansa Musa" and "Ashanti to Zulu: African Traditions," has won the Caldecott Award for excellence in illustration twice. Collier lives and works in Harlem, and his works from his award-winning original book, "Uptown," are shown in the exhibit. His work captures the colors and sounds of Harlem in paint and photo collage.

Realistic family portraits are found in Ransome's work in the featured "Quinnie Blue," about the close relationship between grandmother and granddaughter. His art often depicts life in the rural South, and the award-winning artist works with live models to create memorable scenes.

As a child, Cooper drew a large duck on the side of his family's house. A previous greeting card and textbook illustrator, Cooper uses an eraser to create spaces and subtract color from his oil-washed paintings to capture his subjects in books such as "Mandela: The Life of the South African Statesman" and "Daddy, Daddy Be There."

Minter's lush illustrations embrace the memories and culture of his ancestors for "New Year be Coming-A Gullah Year" and were created from a wood block, inspired by the tradition of African-Americans in the South to carve and paint wood. His artwork in the Kwanzaa story "Seven Spools of Thread" resulted in an invitation to create artwork for the Kwanzaa postage stamp in 2005.

Burrowes heads a graphic design department at Georgetown University and used paper collage in exuberant compositions for the book "Grandma's Purple Flowers," which she also wrote. Jenkins is known for his mixed media illustrations described as "dreamlike" in "If I Only Had A Horn, Young Louis Armstrong" and "Tituba," in which he used neon colors and wildly patterned backgrounds for the story of a West Indian slave accused of witchcraft.

Contact Melody Parker at (319) 291-1429 or melody.parker@wcfcourier.com.

Go & Do

"Feed Your Soul with the Friends of the Hearst"

7 to 9 p.m. Jan. 20

Hearst Center for the Arts, 304 W. Seerley Blvd., Cedar Falls

Meet award-winning illustrator E.B. Lewis, enjoy home-cooked soul food, wines and live jazz.

Cost is $20 for Friends members, $35 for nonmembers; tickets are $40 on the evening of the event.

For ticket information, call 273-8641.

Additional events

-- Silver Preview Screening, 2 to 4 p.m. Jan. 4

Seniors may attend an afternoon of art, music, refreshments and a guided tour of the exhibit. Free and open to the public.

-- Celebrate Kuumba family activities, 1:30 to 3 p.m. Saturdays, Jan. 6-March 3

A special guest will read a selected book from the exhibit, followed by a new art activity each week. Free and open to the public.

-- Celebrate Kuumba with featured guest E.B. Lewis, 1:30 to 3 p.m. Jan. 20

Lewis will read, "Circle Unbroken" to children and families. Following the reading, have a book signed and take part in an art activity.

Sponsored by Target and Veridian Credit Union. Free and open to the public.

-- Darwin Turner Action Theatre, 1 to 3 p.m. Feb. 18

Local children, led by Terry Stevens, will perform a theatrical version of a "Picture Stories" book, followed by a performance by the Darwin Turner Action Theatre inspired by the exhibit. Free and open to the public.

-- Saturday Morning Picture Stories, Jan. 13-Feb. 17, ages 5 to 7 from 9 to 9:50 a.m. and ages 8 to 10 from 11:10 a.m. to noon. Tuition is $27. Students are introduced to the basics of illustration and bookmaking as they learn how to develop storyboard concepts and experiment with pencil, marker, oil pastel and watercolor.

Gallery hours: Tuesday and Thursday, 10 a.m. to 8 a.m.; Wednesday and Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; and Saturday and Sunday, 1 to 4 p.m. The "Picture Stories" exhibit is free and open to the public. For more information, call (319) 273-8641 or visit www.hearstartcenter.com.