Cover art for Jef Czekaj’s book “A Call For A New Alphabet.”

First used in the Middle Ages to describe the sketching of a subject for a piece of art, cartooning has evolved over time to serve a number of purposes–from entertainment to advertising  to political and social commentary. Doodle is a show on cartoons in all of its forms.

Curator Jef Czekaj is a cartoonist, children’s book author and illustrator, and musician. He has illustrated 4 books, and written and illustrated 5 picture books and one graphic novel. His books, Hip and Hop, Don’t Stop!, Cat Secrets, The Circulatory Story, and Yes, Yes, Yaul!, were all chosen as Junior Library Guild selections. Cat Secrets was a finalist in GoodReads Best Books of 2011 and A Call for a New Alphabet was named a “Must-Read” book by the Massachusetts Center for the Book.

Exhibition dates for Doodle are January 10-26, 2014, with an opening reception on Friday, January 10, 2014, 6-8 p.m.

At Nave Annex, 53 Chester St., Davis Square, Somerville. Visit online at http://navegallery.org/wp/doodle/

Cartoon illustration by Dan Moynihan.