Clearly a legend Clearly a legend Clearly a legend

Northeast Portland revels in the creative mind of legendary children’s author Beverly Cleary, ’39, and for good reason. The Oregon native who wrote the forever-popular Ramona Quimby books took inspiration from that neighborhood to produce children’s books that have touched families everywhere for generations.

And now, the renovated Hollywood Library in Northeast Portland has honored Cleary, who earned a bachelor’s degree in librarianship at the UW in 1939, unveiling the mural “A Stroll Down Klickitat Street” by artist Kyler Martz.

The mural consists of eight illustrated panels that feature everyone’s favorite characters: Ramona and Beezus Quimby, Ralph S. Mouse, Henry Huggins, Ribsy and Socks, not to mention the landmarks around Portland that appear in Cleary’s stories.

Seattle artist Kyler Martz, who got his start painting a mural for Renee Erickson’s restaurant The Whale Wins, turned a library wall into a beautiful homage to Beverly Cleary.

“My brother and I were so fascinated with the world of Ralph S. Mouse that we immediately checked out the sequels from the library, followed by every one of her other books,” the artist said in a press release sent out by the Portland Street Art Alliance.

Cleary, who died in 2021, drew inspiration for Ralph S. Mouse’s human friend Keith from her own son, Malcolm.

The Hollywood Library on Northeast Tillamook Street reopened in February after closing eight months earlier to undergo renovations that include new furniture, improved lighting and a “tech bar,” with computers, a copy machine and a scanner.

“Hollywood Library is such a busy and beloved location, and we can’t wait to see our patrons come through the doors and experience all the new features as part of the l library’s refresh,” said Annie Lewis, director of libraries, in the press release. “This work wouldn’t be complete without Kyler’s whimsical, engaging mural that pays tribute to Beverly Cleary’s characters and Hollywood Library’s central role in her world.”