May Gibbs Display from State Library

It has been more than 100 years since Snugglepot & Cuddlepie found their way into the homes and hearts of Australians. Temora Library is celebrating with a free travelling display featuring May Gibbs’ iconic artwork.

May Gibbs was Australia’s first full-time, professionally trained children’s book author and illustrator, and the display features reproductions of some of her most beloved characters, including the gumnut babies.

The gumnut babies became an instant hit when they first appeared on 5 December 1916. Since then generations of Australians have grown up with and loved reading the tales as children and passing the beloved stories down to their own children.

The travelling display explores May Gibbs’ early work, the characters of Snugglepot and Cuddlepie, Ragged Blossom and Little Obelia, her process and examples of how war influenced her work.