Miniature Worlds

This spring, the Arts Council of Princeton and the Cotsen Children’s Library presented  “Miniature Worlds: An Artistic Collaboration of Tiny Libraries,” a unique and innovative exhibition of local artists. To begin, we gifted twelve creative individuals the same unpainted library diorama set…

Then, we invited them to create their own wild, wonderful, and whimsical libraries. From cozy nooks, to gorgeous collages of color, to clever twists on what a library is, the results are absolutely stunning.

The miniature libraries were displayed in Firestone Library at Princeton University, and celebrated at an accompanying event featuring activities and special collections that I will post about next week.

Below artists’ name is a link to their bio and/or vision statement. We would like to sincerely thank each and every person who was so generous with their time and talents. Thank you so much for creating such powerful and imaginative inspiration for future readers!


BRITTANY NORWOOD
Artist’s statement

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PARI HAZAVEH
Artist’s statement

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NISHANT THELAKKAT

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HANNAH HADLEY
Artist’s statement

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ARLENE GALE MILGRAM
Artist’s statement

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MAREN JOHNSON
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MICHELLE IGLESIAS – HOLLAND

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BETH KUSHNER
Artist’s statement

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SARAH REIFF CONELL
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GENEVA ANASTASIO
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META DUNKLY ARNOLD
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HOPE VAN CLEAF
Artist’s statement

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Tiny Library Challenge: The Final Chapter

Everyone loves a good trilogy. Except in this case. Because this is the final chapter in the trifeca of insanity otherwise known as miniature library kits (see parts I and II). But today it ends. Today, Katie is bringing it home with the Rolife 3D Creative Bookend: Sunshine Town. Our FINAL mini library kit (and possibly our favorite, honestly). Take it away, Katie!


To its credit, the Rolife 3D Creative Bookend: Sunshine Town (TGB02) looked seriously adorable online and, at quick glance, did not appear to be as complicated as Sam’s Study. Added bonus: it has TWO CATS that inhabit the cozy street scene!

Sunshine Town retails for around $45 on Amazon, though I’ve seen it on Etsy and Ebay for less. Like the other two Rolife kits we’ve tested, the suggested age range is 14+, which I completely agree with. Younger children will definitely need assistance manipulating the smaller bits and pieces, as well as tackling the lighting and battery box.

The instruction manual was similar to previous kits. One difference was the use of illustrations to indicate the specific actions I needed to take, such as what to glue together and where to paint. Speaking of paint, almost every step included painting one or more of the pieces white, which I skipped entirely after finishing the sign that greets you at the front of the display. I don’t think there’s much of a difference in appearance and, to be honest, it looks just fine unpainted.

There is a combination of wood and paper pieces to build together, and the provided glue stick has a small tip and works well. There were a few instances I did have to pause and allow extra time for parts to fully dry before moving on, but that was rare.

I was dreading the lighting display, but it was relatively straightforward and, dare I say it, remarkably easy to put together. Since this was not my first mini build rodeo, I knew exactly what to do when the instructions said to heat the “heat-shrink tube.” A lighter from home worked beautifully to melt and bend the little shaded light that illuminates the stairs in front of the coffee shop (a task I finished outside of the library walls, to ease the fears of any of my colleagues who may be reading!). All of the wires neatly tuck into a panel at the rear of the box.

The hardest task was to close the bookend with the final side wall. Making sure all of the connection tabs and the street parts were in the proper place to finish the build was a bit of a struggle.

My only other complaint is with the bookend being so deep and narrow, there are a few areas that are hard to see, even with the mirror to help reflect the back of the scene. The curved bay window in front of Carefree Books has a cute display inside that is difficult to enjoy, and you really have to search for the red mailbox on the building wall in the back (which looks similar to the mailbox we used at our Tintin movie event).

The touch pad to turn the lights on and off is really clever, and the two interior street lights along with the overhead pendant envelop the scene with an inviting warm glow.

As anticipated, Sunshine Town looks positively charming tucked on a shelf between copies of your favorite books. It’s my personal favorite of the three Rolife miniature kits we’ve tested. Because… cats! I give it a 4.5 out of 5 stars.


And thus ends our miniature library kit tests. They were tedious, delicate, maddening, and took waaaay to much time. But there are much worse games to play.

Whale Tale

whale tale

Join a big blue whale on an ocean of adventures, and don’t forget to stop by your adorable lighthouse island to play in some waves, chill on the beach, and collect shells!

We read Beachy and Me by Bob Staake ( Random House, 2016). Pixie Picklespeare is the only child living on a very tiny lighthouse island. She is BORED. But after rescuing a beached blue whale, the new friends spend a whole summer playing games, riding waves, and exploring the ocean. But when Beachy the whale hears the call of migration, Pixie is alone and bored AGAIN. But what’s that she hears? Her whale friend, coming back to visit, just like he promised.

You’ll need:

  • 1 corrugated cardboard base
  • 1 small box
  • 1 small oatmeal container
  • 1 plastic cocktail cup
  • 1 wine cork
  • Construction paper
  • Scissors, tape, and glue for construction
  • Markers for decorating
  • Hot glue

The lighthouse island is basically a small oatmeal container and small box, hot glued to the top of a corrugated cardboard base. The light is a plastic cocktail cup flipped upside down and placed on top of the oatmeal container (we left it unattached so the construction paper light bulb taped inside can rotate).

front of lighhouseOur “ocean” consists of a curved, light blue crepe paper streamer and a fringe of dark blue construction paper waves. We had mini shells handy for the beach, but you can use images of shells, or just have the kids draw the shells on the beach with markers.

lighthouse beachWe also decided to cut the backs out of the box and the oatmeal container to create a dollhouse. Use a circle of white card stock to create the second floor of the lighthouse, then decorate the walls and floors with paper. Need furniture and some framed artwork? You’ll find templates and instructions in this post.

You can see our cork person creation in the photo as well:

back of lighthouseWhen the lighthouse islands were done, we announced that a whale had been spotted in the library’s main lobby. This was a red wagon with a whale facades taped to both sides. Kids took turns getting rides and smiling at local whale watchers!

whale rides