Marvellous and Mischievous: Literature's Young Rebels


At: York Art Gallery, Exhibition Square, York YO1 7EW

10 February 2023 - 4 June 2023

More info: https://www.yorkartgallery.org.uk/exhibition/marvellous-and-mischievous-literatures-young-rebels/

On tour from the British Library this interactive, family friendly exhibition showcases some of your favourite rebellious characters from children’s books.  Featuring over 50 books, manuscripts and original artwork, this exhibition includes characters such as Tracy Beaker, Pippi Longstocking, Jane Eyre, Dirty Bertie, and Matilda. Spanning over 300 years, visitors are invited to rediscover favourite characters, as well as meet new ones. Exploring what it means to be a rebel!

Lucy Evans, lead curator of Marvellous and Mischievous: Literature’s Young Rebels, said:

Marvellous and Mischievous is a fun, interactive exhibition all about exploring what makes a young ‘rebel’ in children’s stories. Children’s literature over the last 300 years has shown that rebels come in all shapes and sizes from Roald Dahl's wilful, bold Matilda (pictured above), the ambitious Princess Pearl to the resilient Ahmet from The Boy at the Back of the Class. Many of the books displayed in the exhibition share powerful messages highlighting contemporary themes prevalent amongst the younger generation and illustrate how literature can inspire and motivate society today.’

The exhibition was first shown at the British Library in 2019, and is on tour in the UK during 2022-23.