Illustration of chicken spreading out beach towel.
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Petra Mathers, Illustration for Lottie’s New Beach Towel (Aladdin). Gift of Petra Mathers. © 2001 Petra Mathers.

Petra Mathers: Lottie’s New Beach Towel

April 13 - August 8, 2004
Central Gallery

Lottie’s New Beach Towel is the first book in Petra Mather’s popular series about Lottie, an amiable chicken from Oregon, and her many feathered friends. Featured are the book’s published illustrations as well as Mathers’ preliminary sketches and book dummies that reveal how her story took shape. Discover the many uses that Lottie and her friend Herbie, a delightful duck, find for a red spotted beach towel. Mathers generously donated all artwork from the book to The Carle’s permanent collection.

Featured Artists

Photograph of the artist.

Petra Mathers

A self-taught artist, Petra Mathers developed a distinctive folk-art style. Her more than 40 children’s books feature animal characters whose foibles and friendships encourage compassion and humor. Photograph © Portland Art Museum.