Eric Carle, Illustration for Mister Seahorse. Collection of the Eric and Barbara Carle Foundation. © 2004 Penguin Random House LLC.
Splish, Splash, Story: Selections for the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art
Closes July 26, 2026
Splish, Splash, Story: Selections for the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art brings together enchanting illustrations from beloved children’s books, on loan from The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art in Amherst, MA. Spanning more than a century, this exhibition celebrates the power of water as both subject and symbol in picture book illustration. From serene ponds and playful rain showers to roaring oceans and imaginative underwater worlds, the featured works showcase how artists have used water to inspire curiosity, joy, and wonder in young readers.
The exhibition includes works by classic and contemporary illustrators alike, including several works by the beloved Eric Carle, highlighting diverse artistic styles and storytelling traditions. Visitors will recognize familiar scenes that sparked their own childhood imaginations, while also discovering new voices that continue to expand the boundaries of picture book art. Together, these images remind us of water’s universal role in life and story, connecting us to nature, to each other, and to timeless tales passed down across generations.
Support Comes From
Splish, Splash, Story: Selections from The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art is organized by The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, Amherst, Massachusetts, United States and presented here, in the Midwest, for the first time by the Minnesota Marine Art Museum, a nonprofit museum committed to creating meaningful art experiences that explore our relationship with water.
MMAM acknowledges sustaining support from generous contributions from foundations, corporations, individuals, members and volunteers, including ongoing support from our Board of Directors, the Elizabeth Callender King Foundation, and the Morgan Family Foundation.
This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a Minnesota State Arts Board Operating Support grant, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts & cultural heritage fund.
This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a Minnesota State Arts Board Operating Support grant, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts & cultural heritage fund.