“The Art of the Children’s Book: Artist Illustrators in Maine” is an exhibit now showing at the Bangor Public Library. Presented in conjunction with the Union of Maine Visual Artists, it is a grand sampling of the quality, diversity, and vitality of 12 of Maine’s artist-illustrators, according to Anne Madore, children’s room librarian.

Elements of all aspects of book illustration are included, giving the local community a rare opportunity for an inside look at this artistic process. An important goal of the exhibit is “to excite the interest of children and the community in art and encourage a connection with books,” Madore said.

The forces that inspire these artists are as varied as their chosen media. A common theme is the sea. In “The Sailor’s Book,” Charlotte Agell of Gardiner uses pen and ink with watercolor to present her marine images in a free, almost caricature style, combining aspects of her childhood spent in Hong Kong and Sweden with a desire to achieve an airy, wind-blown effect. In “The Tinker of Salt Cove,” Siri Beckman’s exquisite use of line and masterful handling of light create strong, evocative impressions of the sea. In contrast, both Pamela DeVito and Karen MacDonald share their love of the sea in soft, gentle, pencil illustrations, rich in detail.

A multicultural flair enters into the work of several of the artists. Ashley Bryan, the “Piper Prince of the Cranberry Isles,” draws from his African heritage and love of the Caribbean in the linoleum-cut prints which illustrate “Walk Together Children: Black American Spirituals, Vol. 1.” Nonny Hogrogian’s award-winning watercolor illustrations abound with folk details from her parents’ Armenia. Robert Shetterly’s illustrations for “Raven’s Light: A Myth From the People of the Northwest Coast” aptly capture the spirit of the native tribes of the Pacific Northwest. Jeanette Winter shares her love of Mexican culture in vibrant miniature paintings done for “Diego.”

Animals are an important inspiration to several Maine illustrators, including Pamela Johnson, Siri Beckman and Pamela DeVito. Inspired by the effort to reintroduce the caribou herd to Maine, Mary Beth Owen wrote “A Caribou Alphabet,” illustrating it with elegant animal portraits which demonstrate a complete command of design, imagery and color. Circus and barnyard animals are recurring subjects in Dahlov Ipcar’s nationally renowned illustrations.

Come and celebrate a rich artistic heritage. The library is open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday. The exhibit continues through May 1.

Judy Eyerer is a free-lance writer who resides in Bangor.