As always, a trip to the Eric Carle Museum is full of the unexpected, with moments that linger long after my visit. First, I met Penelope in the hallway.
Penelope Rex is the character in Ryan Higgins’ new book. It is an outstanding book, and Penelope is a character every child loves. She’s a T-Rex dinosaur, yet she’s just like the child who reads the book – with worries, adventures, and feelings.
Her new pet is Mittens, the saber-toothed cat. Yes, Mittens is a big problem for Penelope. I can’t wait to read this book to my preschoolers in the fall. This is coming from yours truly, the ‘Mrs. Picky’ of picture books. I highly recommend this book.
The author, Ryan Higgins, was the big event at the museum, reading the book to a packed house. I decided to wear my Mother Bruce apron the museum gave to me, as Mother Bruce is one of his first books, and still an all-time favorite. Ryan was thrilled, and we had our picture taken together. Of course he signed the apron.
I’m holding a Mother Bruce stuffed bear. Now, I need a Penelope and a Mittens stuffed animal.
The exhibits at the Eric Carle Museum never disappoint. I leave feeling exhilarated, with a full heart and soul. Really. How can one not be ‘moved’ by Eric Carle’s magnificent art?
This exhibit is all about birds, “Birdwatching with Eric Carle”. If you like birds, this is an exhibit not to be missed. I couldn’t stop looking at the rooster. Being inches away from ‘the real deal’ is humbling. If you’re in western Massachusetts, the exhibit is there through most of August.
Do you know metafiction, in art? Metafiction is fiction about fiction – books that contain pictures about pictures and stories about stories.
When crayons go on strike in The Day the Crayons Quit by Oliver Jeffers, one of the best books, there it was – Duncan’s green crayon and letter.
The classics were there; Little Fur Family, Grover in The Monster at the End of This Book, and Harold and the Purple Crayon. Mo Willems’ Pigeon books have become the new classic.
Wordless books that take the reader into a new world were part of the exhibit. Journey, by Aaron Becker and Flotsam, by David Wiesner are two of the best. These books take the imagination on great adventures, and they spark language and dialogue.
This exhibit ‘has it all’.
I was recently featured in a monthly magazine for our community. What could be better than me holding a print of The Very Hungry Caterpillar? The museum was excited to get the publication.
Jennie
A Teacher's Reflections 
Penelope and you are a perfect match. I recall your love (and past posts) about this museum … plus meeting the author! Congratulations on being featured in a local publication – a great honor!
Thank you, Frank! Yes, I do love this museum, especially when there’s a favorite author or exhibit. I do think Penelope and I are a match.🙂
Lovely post Jennie, glad to see the museum again as I’ll never get to see it in person. Love the art work.
Thanks so much, FR. I’ll keep posts coming for my friends across the pond. Yes, great art work!
Gorgeous cover girl!! That’s wonderful!
Thank you!
how wonderful, Jennie, you know I still want to meet you there someday –
I know you do, and I have no doubt it will happen one day.🙂
Love that museum, Jennie.
What amazing concepts for the children. Penelope is a hoot. And so is the thought of crayons quitting.
Thank you, Don. In the book, each crayon writes a letter to Duncan, quitting for different reasons. Really funny, and well done! Yes, Penelope is a hoot.
What a great time you are having! Congratulations on the magazine feature, and I hope you get the Penelope and Mittens stuffed animals soon!
Best wishes, Pete.
Thanks so much, Pete! Yes on all counts.
What an amazing place.
It really is!
Wow amazing and fantastic museum Jennie. Nice to have met the author. He looks cute. Penelope was nice and big. Congratulations on the magazine feature. Lovely post 👍👍👍
Thanks so much, Kamal!
Always welcome dear Jennie 🙏🙏
what a lovely post Jennie and such great photos . 💜💜💜
Glad you enjoyed it, Willow!💕
I did Jennie 💜
Look at you on the cover of a magazine! This blog post was sheer delight from beginning to end. Thank you for the day-brightener! I’m intrigued by the meta The Day the Crayons Quit. I wonder how the Aqua Roomers would respond to it.
Awww…that’s so nice, Liz. They did get a great photo, and the inside story was terrific. I’m so glad this brightened your day! Honestly, The Day the Crayons Quit is an outstanding book. Each crayon writes a letter to Duncan, explaining why they quit. It is as wonderful and humorous for adults as it is for children. It you’re in the library, check it out. The Aqua Roomer love the book, although it is for an older audience.
I just found The Day the Crayons Quit being read aloud on YouTube. I’ll listen to it when I need a break!
Hooray! Please let me know what you think. 😀
I got a very big kick out of it, and I liked the life-lesson in the final drawing.
Yes, yes! Every letter to Duncan is well done and the ending is perfect.
What JOY dear Jennie… Not only to meet again such a wonderful Author Ryan Higgins, but a signed apron to boot.. 🙂 Wonderful photo… The book looks a wonderful children’s read..
And wow.. Fame too on that poster.. I can not think of any one more deserving to be there, for your love of books and especially holding The very Hungry Caterpillar .. Bravo..
The museum looks fantastic and loved the bird artwork..
Sending lots of love your way dear Jennie xx ❤ The children will be in for a treat next term time.. ❤ xx
Thank you for your many lovely words, Sue.💕
Love, love, love this, Jennie.
I’m so glad!😍
You are so lucky to be close enough that you get to visit to often. Someday I will get there. I enjoyed all your images and information, Jennie. Congratulations on your spot in the magazine. So awesome.
Thanks so much, Carla. Glad you enjoyed this, and hope you get there one day. The images were so much fun!
I’m sure Ryan was touched by your apron. Who couldn’t love that? Isn’t it great when we get to meet the author of one of the books we love?
I think he was, Pete. It is so exciting and uplifting to meet a favorite author. The museum emailed this blog post to Ryan, and he replied to them, “That’s a wonderful blog post.” How nice! Story #2: At the museum I purchased Loren Long’s new picture book, The Yellow Bus. Not only is it excellent, it’s not what I was expecting at all. It feels like The Giving Tree and The Little House. This really stuck with me, so I told Loren Long on FB. He got back to me and said those were exactly the two books he thought of after he wrote the story. How cool is that? Hope I made you smile today, Pete.
What a beautiful moment with Loren Long! You were on the same wavelength. It must have made you feel warm all over when Ryan responded to your blog post. I’ve had a couple of those moments too. I blogged about one of my former students who is making movies now. He put up my post on his Facebook page. Anytime someone values our words, it feels pretty great.
I’ve got a list of things to do today, but I will look at your picture book and respond later today.
Yes, and yes! I know you’ve been there and felt the same way. It’s truly wonderful. Thank you for your wonderful and thoughtful comments on my book.
I have to get up to this museum, Jennie. I love this post and your photos. I absolutely love the penguins 😉
Dan, you do! You love the penguin and I love the rooster. You will love this exhibit (there till August 25th) and I think the other exhibit will bring back memories of so many books. So, you’re an hour away and I’m a little more. Pick a day that works and I’ll meet you there! Bam!
I’ll see if I can make that happen, Jennie.
I just watched an animated version of The Day the Crayons Quit on YouTube. I got such a kick out of it–and the important life-lesson at the end was a welcome surprise!
Jenny – you really do get to some amazing book events!!
Jennie, I so wish I could go to the museum, it looks wonderful! How great to meet the author and congratulations on the feature. The nationals next?! 😀
The rooster is gorgeous. I also like the penguins. Great picture on the mag cover. 👍
You are spot on on all three. 🙂 Thanks, Steve!
Hi Wonderful, this sounds like such a wonderful museum to visit. The cover with you on it is gorgeous.
Thank you, Robbie. It really is a wonderful museum, and I thought the cover photo was quite good.
It was 🧡
About time for another visit. Thanks for the reminder.
You’re welcome, Elizabeth. I hope you’re able to visit soon.
Fun post! I thought of you the other day on a drive into Hadley when I drove past this museum. My very best friend since childhood has lived her adult married life in Pepperell – right between Groton and Dunstable.
It is definitely a small world!
This is so wonderful! The ‘don’t let the pigeon drive the bus’ series was my kids’ favorite! Linda 🙂
Thank you, Linda. The children at school love the pigeon books!
And the parents who get to read them out loud!🤣
Yes!!
Thanks for taking us with you to the museum Jennie. I love your friend Penelope. ❤
So glad you enjoyed the museum, and Penelope. 💕
xx
What an amazing place for children and adults Jennie and thank you for sharing with us… I wouldn’t mind wearing Penelope’s outfit to the store lol.. ♥
Hi Jennie! Thank you so much for this wonderful post! It was a joy to read!
Glad you enjoyed it, Charles!
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Thank you, Sally! 💕
Hurrah for continuing to remind us about this wonderful museum… and these great books, Jennie! And congratulations on your recent COVER STORY!!!
Thanks so much, Will!
Wow, there is so much to discover at this museum. I am considering to visit it in future. Best wishes, Michael
I hope you get there! I will join you. 🙂