May Gibbs: Celebrating 100 Years

Overview

100 years ago, May Gibbs first graced children's libraries with her adorable bush babies. The fantastical creatures — from Gumnut and Gum-Blossom Babies to the evil Big Bad Banksia Men — were inspired by her environmentalism and love of the Australian bush. Over the next few years, she crafted beloved characters like adventurous gumnut foster brothers Snugglepot and Cuddlepie, their best friend, orphaned gum-blossom Little Ragged Blossom, and their friends Mr Lizard and Mrs Kookaburra, who often saved them from danger. She even took them on adventures under the sea, where they met the greedy and devious John Dory and their kind saviour Ann Chovy.

To celebrate Gibbs' life and her extraordinary contribution to Australian art and literature (and the lives of many children), the State Library of NSW is hosting an exhibition of her work. It will feature both original and reproduced illustrations from her books as well as her other art.

And in a world rapidly succumbing to environmental destruction, there is perhaps no better time to heed Gibbs' warning to "be kind to all bush creatures".

Image: Illustration for Gum-Nut Babies, 1916, May Gibbs, May Gibbs Archive at the State Library of NSW, © The Northcott Society and Cerebral Palsy Alliance.