pulled out her snack.
But why was the attendant
looking at her that way?
"Are you hungry?" she
asked. "We can share."
He was not hungry.
"No eating," he said
with a firm voice. She
could only drink at the
water fountain in the hall."
Anna speaks for me when visiting art galleries. It can be a chore and a challenge. She and her mother are on an anticipated visit when Anna begins to display what are very natural behaviors for a young child. As she sits and waits for her mother to pay, she decides that she will have to make the best of it. Roaring at a lion is fun until the attendant requests quiet. Playing peek with a baby from behind a free-standing exhibit gets a 'Careful!' warning. A talk with her mother is the result of her antics.
"No shouting.
No running.
No climbing.
No touching."
When she touches a painting and sets off an alarm, she is embarrassed and finds herself a quiet place to sit while her mother continues her tour. Knowing the little girl is in need of something special, the kind guard (who has been doing his job) provides a diversion not often initiated. He offers a peek at the work being done behind the scenes. Here, Anna finds art that speaks her language. She begins to recognize that art is a reflection of life ... and she finds inspiration in the rest of the art seen as they finish their tour.
I read the text first and then went back to concentrate on the gorgeous reproductive artwork created by Lil Crump. Real life is explored on every page; visitors to the museum reflect much of what is found in the accompanying works of art. Humor is evident at every turn, the artist showing her audience real life reflected in the art pieces ... or the other way round. Connection is at the heart of this story and those connections are shown with joy and understanding. Anna is not the only child struggling to meet the expectations of the adults present, and that is encouraging and uplifting for those who might find a visit to the art museum difficult. Lovely!
A much-appreciated key to the works displayed is provided in back matter.
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