DESIGN : Artful Illustrations

TO KIDS, THEY’VE ALWAYS been as important as the text. Now children’s book illustrations are commanding respect from adults as well for both their artistic and investment value. Which explains the origin of Every Picture Tells a Story, a new L.A. art gallery devoted to the show and sale of original art from children’s literature. Pencil drawings by contemporary artists such as Barry Moser (“Jump on Over!”) and Jane Dyer (“Piggins”) sell for $100 ; larger, more elaborate work by leaders in the genre--Chris Van Allsburg (“Two Bad Ants”), Don Wood (“King Bidgood”)--go for up to $10,000.

Every Picture Tells a Story, 836 N. La Brea Ave . , Los Angeles 90038 ; (213) 962-5420.