THE MUSEUM LIVES IN ME

An encouraging teacher takes her class on a field trip to the North Carolina Museum of Art in Scott-Miller’s debut picture book.

Miss Edmonia, who speaks in rhyme, instructs her students, or “Wildfires,” as she calls them, to find their personal traits in art. Realistically, one student, Attilio, complains that museums are boring. Then Kara-Clementine discovers The Three Graces: Les Trois Femmes Noires by Mickalene Thomas. Attilio is intrigued by Romare Bearden’s New Orleans: Ragging Homeand Yayoi Kusama’s “Light of Life.” Soon, Miss Edmonia asks the students to share their traits; Kara-Clementine says she’s a leader, and Attilio says he’s kind. (Kindness is depicted with emojis, however, which clash with the book’s lovely illustrations.) Miss Edmonia tells her students that “The People’s Collection” reflects them and that “no matter your race, color, gender or creed,” the art museum will “always be yourgallery.” Scott-Miller’s story is creative and positive. Illustrator Powell’s portrayal of Miss Edmonia has excellent style, with natural black hair, blue overalls, and pink heart earrings. On the title page, she’s depicted in the manner of an ancient statue, exemplifying the title’s message. A distracting change of typeface, for no discernible reason, is a minor flaw. Miss Edmonia is depicted as Black; the students have varying skin tones and one uses a wheelchair.

A well-illustrated tale that wonderfully integrates intriguing works of art.