Elaine Clayton's illustrated children's book, Ella's Trip to the Museum (New York: Crown Publishers, Inc, 1996), playfully follows Ella's imaginative journey through an art museum. On a field trip with her class, Ella enters paintings and dances with statues while her increasingly stern teacher gives a dry lecture to the class.
"Stay with us, Ella! I want you to experience the art."
"But I am!"
While the book unfairly sets up adults such as teachers and guards as immune to the powers of art, it does introduce children to the imaginative possibilities of art and museums. The illustrations are light and cheery, with the depicted works of art alluding to the ballerinas of Degas, Baroque cherubs, and ancient Roman statues. This is a great prelude to a real visit to a museum, even if children might want to dance in the galleries!
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