Southern Illinois University Carbondale announced on April 14 that an exhibition celebrating the legacy of Marianne Carus and the opening of her papers for public research will take place at Morris Library on Friday, April 17. The event includes a reception from 4 to 6 p.m. in the library’s Hall of Presidents and Chancellors.
Carus, who passed away in 2021 at age 92, was the founder of Cricket Magazine along with her husband Blouke in 1973. The magazine has been recognized for inspiring children’s curiosity and imagination through high-quality literature and illustrations. SIU Carbondale School of Education Dean Victoria Groves-Scott is scheduled to give a presentation honoring Carus’ contributions to children’s education. Blouke Carus will also attend the exhibition opening.
“As an elementary teacher in the early 1990s, I often saw children’s lack of enthusiasm for reading as a reflection of how little high-quality literature was available in many classrooms,” Groves-Scott said. “One exception was ‘Cricket Magazine,’ which consistently brought joy, imagination, and learning to my students. Marianne and Blouke Carus made that possible. I am honored to celebrate Marianne’s legacy by the opening her papers for public research at Southern Illinois University Carbondale.”
The exhibition highlights materials related to Cricket Magazine—a publication designed for children ages nine to fourteen that features stories by celebrated authors and award-winning illustrators—and documents its role in promoting literacy worldwide. Anne Marie Hamilton-Brehm, associate dean directing SIU’s Special Collections Research Center, said that “Carus’ papers will be valuable to researchers who are interested in twentieth-century educational reform and literacy advocacy worldwide.” Hamilton-Brehm added that “Marianne Carus traveled the world while directing Cricket Magazine ‘and became a leading force in international organizations aimed at children’s reading advocacy.'”
The donation includes additional records about Cricket Magazine as well as correspondence with Lloyd Alexander—a Newbery Medal winning author—and records related to Open Court Basic Readers and international literacy efforts. In addition, more than six hundred boxes documenting Cricket Media’s history were previously donated by the family.
Visitors are invited to view these collections at Morris Library’s Special Collections Research Center.
