The Curious World of Pamela Allen Comes Alive at the State Library

For decades, Pamela Allen has charmed generations of children with stories full of adventure and imagination. Now, Sydney families can see them brought to life in a first-of-its-kind interactive exhibition at the State Library of NSW.

From Mr Archimedes’ Bath, Mr McGee, Alexander’s Outing, Grandpa and Thomas, and other timeless classics, The Curious World of Pamela Allen features stories that have enchanted readers for over 40 years.

“Families are coming to libraries more than ever to connect, explore and play together,” says State Librarian Dr Caroline Butler-Bowdon, noting the exhibition reflects this growing trend.

Slide, splash and turn the page in Allen’s whimsical world

The exhibition lets children and adults step into Allen’s imaginative worlds in playful, unexpected ways.

Children can venture beneath Mr McGee’s tree and slide down its slippery dip, turn the giant pages of Bertie and the Bear, or splash along with the animals from Who Sank the Boat? They can also try on character props, while cosy reading nooks and hidden corners offer quieter spots to explore.

Since her first book in 1980, Allen has become an award-winning phenomenon in children’s literature. Her stories, full of musical language, are often described as ‘fragments of theatre’ that tickle and excite.

Allen’s works have even inspired three stage adaptations that toured across Australia and New Zealand.

Allen herself describes the exhibition as “a playground where children and parents can have fun together and create lasting memories. My books are made to be shared. It’s the voice that brings them to life.”

Journeying through 40 years of imagination in Pamela Allen sketches and stories

Curator Sarah Morley designed the free exhibition around Allen’s words and vivid illustrations, while adults can trace the author’s creative journey through early sketches, watercolours, and rarely seen artworks drawn from the Library’s extensive archive, acquired in 2020.

The collection includes over 2,000 drawings, illustrations, and working notes spanning her entire career, providing insight into both her famous and lesser-known works.

To mark the exhibition, Allen released her 63rd book, Cock-a-Doodle-Doo!, alongside a special Library edition of Alexander’s Outing, reflecting her continued output across the years.

Whether revisiting beloved stories or discovering them with a new generation, the exhibition offers more than a playful experience, immersing visitors into a land of colour, and whimsy.

It is a reminder of the enduring power of books to foster and encourage creativity and curiosity. Allen’s stories shape the way children see the world and invent their own adventures.

The Curious World of Pamela Allen is running at the State Library of NSW.