This museum does have wonderful galleries dedicated to favorite children’s book art that everyone will recognize. In fact, the image above shows some of  Carle’s huge canvases, which line the lobby. But what we really love is the huge art studio where visitors are invited to get their hands dirty and create. On a visit in November, the project du jour was making “found art” using recycled materials. Everyone, adult and child alike, was given a plastic bag full of things like straws and paper plates and various plastic and metal do-dads and told to have at it.

Our family made a slew of projects, including a little island with a palm tree, a face, and a bird:

But I think my favorite was Tommy’s little mouse, which still adorns my office, a memento of a fun day spent together: