Featuring more than 30 original pen-ink-and-watercolour illustrations by Walter Trier, The Animals’ Conference is a classic children’s book written by Erich Kästner and published in 1947. It tells a story of a group of animals who hold a peace conference at the same time as government leaders meet to discuss war. As the story progresses, the animals are forced to take drastic measures to ensure a future without conflict. The playful story unfolds through Trier’s vivid watercolours, and in a nod to its young visitors, the AGO has replaced traditional wall labels with the text of the story and hung the works at a kid-friendly height. Hands-on activities for kids will be available inside the exhibition and copies of various translations and editions of the book will also be on view.
http://www.ago.net/walter-trier-the-animals-conference