Robert Neubecker, who has worked for newspapers and magazines for some 30 years, "is probably the most classical illustrator," says Layton. "Then he decided to do children's books, and his first book won an ALA (American Library Association) Notable Book award in 2005. He's now working with the actor John Lithgow on a book."

You look around the gallery, and "there is so much diversity," says Layton. There are watercolors, oil and other mediums. "Some illustrators do a lot of work on the computer. Cambria Evans does a lot of work by hand and then brings in the computer at the end. Howard Fullmer uses the computer to create art that looks like it is from the 1500s. I love that juxtaposition."

You look around the gallery and you can also appreciate how much work goes into illustration. One special exhibit shows how the art goes into a pop-up book. Another takes a look at an illustration from start to finish. "From the time the artist gets the manuscript and starts coming up with ideas, it's a very complex process," says Layton. "There's a lot of back-and-forth with the publisher."

But it is an endeavor well worth it, the illustrators say in the artists' notes that accompany their work. "Previously, I saw picture books as mostly an artistic endeavor," Kosaka writes. "But now that I have children, I realize how much reading picture books enriches not only the lives of children, but also the lives of the adults who read to them."

Some pictures are worth a thousand hugs and kisses.

If you go ...

What: Unbound: Original Picture Book Art by Utah Illustrators
Where: Springville Museum of Art, 126 E. 400 South, Springville
When: Through Dec. 28
Cost: Free
Web: www.sma.nebo.edu
Also: Storytime, every Saturday, 11 a.m., through Dec. 27

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E-mail: carma@desnews.com