The Museum

The Museum

Written by Susan Verde

Illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds

Abrams Books for Young Readers, 2013

32 pages

Picture Book-Fiction

                I chose this book because I think that art is extremely important and is not emphasized enough in the classroom. This book is about a little girl who takes a trip to an art museum. The girl is ecstatic to see all the beautiful pieces of art at the museum. She is seen admiring some famous pieces of art and having a blast. She then discovers a blank canvas. The little girl’s mind is racing with ideas of how to create her own masterpiece. She creates a portrait of her and her mother. The girl is not sad to go home because she realizes the museum lives in her.

                The illustrator of this book is Peter H. Reynolds. He used watercolors to paint his illustrations. His artistic style seems to be impressionistic. The drawings have many bright colors, but the actual outlines of the drawings can appear sloppy. The book displays some impressionistic watercolor versions of some of the famous pieces of art that might be seen in a real art museum.

                This book is recommended for students ranging from kindergarten to second grade. The Museum can be used several different ways in an elementary classroom. This book could be read and incorporated in a lesson for art appreciation. For students who may have never had an opportunity to visit an art museum, this would be an excellent book to read. This book also showcases several famous pieces of art that could be pointed out and expanded upon.