THE storybook, although generally appreciated as a means of educating and a form of entertainment, plays another equally significant role in every child's maturation - an introduction to art.

It's a role that should not be underplayed, according to award-winning illustrator, Jerry Pinkney, whose works form part of the exhibit, Once Upon A Time, now on display at the Bermuda National Gallery (BNG).

"As far as the idea of (Once Upon A Time), the art in children's books has grown; in terms of interest, it's moving full-steam ahead," said Mr. Pinkney. "(In the United States) right now, we have a really keen, and historic interest in the art of the picture book. The interest is phenomenal; as an idea, it's just blossomed and is snowballing. And so I view (Once Upon A Time) as a petal of a flower that's blooming right now. The timing is right. The introduction to art for most people is through the pictures of children's books. I think many more people are now paying attention to that and know that in order to groom a larger audience, they must pay attention to those illustrations."

Mr. Pinkney and his author wife, Gloria, arrive on the island next week to speak as part of the McLaughlin Art Lecture Series sponsored by PartnerRe.

A book illustrator since 1964, Mr. Pinkney's works - many of which celebrate multicultural and African-American themes, although the predominant message is one of sensitivity and interest in all cultures - are widely celebrated around the world. His talents have garnered him numerous accolades and awards including five Coretta Scott King medals and two Coretta Scott King honours, four Caldecott honours, the Philadelphia State College Children's Literature Festival Award and the Horn Books Award. In 1984, he produced watercolour paintings for a special National Geographic's issue on the Underground Railroad and in 1992, an issue on the slave trade.

In 1997, Mr. Pinkney (pictured right) was commissioned by the United States Postal Authority to create nine stamps for its Black Heritage Series featuring images of Harriet Tubman and Martin Luther King Jr., among others.

Mr. Pinkney has been an art professor at the University of Delaware and the State University of New York at Buffalo. His books have been translated into ten different languages and he has given workshops and guest lectures at art schools and universities across the United States, Canada, Jamaica and Italy. A touring exhibition, Historical Themes, Tales and Legends: The Art of Jerry Pinkney, has just completed a three-month run at the Museum of the National Centre of Afro-American artists in Boston, Massachusetts.

Yesterday, the illustrator said he was looking forward to introducing his work to an entirely new audience.

"(The exhibit is) exciting because one, it's in Bermuda - a place I've never shown in or visited before - and two, it will mean that my work is being introduced to a completely new audience. It gives me an opportunity to present in-depth works, works that folks may not be aware of, and give me an opportunity to speak of the process (of illustrating) itself - how I go about making the pictures."

Speaking with Mr. Pinkney as part of the lecture series, will be his wife, Gloria. According to a Gallery spokesperson, Mrs. Pinkney has published two autobiographies to warm response - Back Home in 1992 and The Sunday Outing, in 1994. Both were illustrated by her husband. A third book, a collection of 33 inspiring moments in the author's life, was illustrated by her husband and two of their sons - Brian, an artist and Myles, a photographer.

In fact, the entire Pinkney family - sons, Brian, Myles and Scott and daughter Troy - is involved in the arts in one way or another, said Mr. Pinkney.

"All six of us are in the publishing field. (With our children), I think they largely saw the arts around them as they were growing up. There was never any pressure for them to enter (the arts).

"I would like to think that they saw their dad doing something he loved and embraced it becuase of that. So they were exposed, but I always felt that even if they didn't go into the arts (as an occupation), they would always have that background; if nothing else, they would have that as part of, and central to, their lives and it would give them the freedom to make that choice."

In addition to Thursday's lecture, Mr. and Mrs. Pinkney will hold a reading at an invitation-only assembly for public schools at the Ruth Seaton James Centrel followed by visits to some of the island's schools. A presentation and book signing is scheduled at the Gallery at 10 a.m. the following Saturday which is open to the public.

While his wife,Gloria, is to read selections from her books, Mr. Pinkney will attempt to describe the art of illustration to those present.

"I've never been to Bermuda before and so it's exciting not knowing what to expect," he said. "I think that always sets up a great deal of curiousity and I am a very curious person. I'm also very much involved in history so it will give me the opportunity to understand the culture on the island.

"Most of my energy and time goes into working for children, but I've always tried to keep a balance (between that and the work I do with adults) and they feed into one another and parallel. I try to make my talks, the experience of being in the room with me, interesting. I want them to understand my work in depth; how it begins and where it comes from.

"My works certainly speak to African-American culture, but to others as well and so one of the things I try to do is have the audience understand the impact of one's own culture in hopes of encouraging them to become curious and excited about other cultures. For children, the message is how hard work can help them achieve a goal; for adults, it's how an artist goes about making pictures."

Next Thursday's lecture at the National Gallery begins at 6 p.m. and will be preceeded by a cocktail reception at 5.30 p.m. For further information, please contact the Gallery at 295-9428.