![](http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ivRDSeXHgUg/SmaMasP0adI/AAAAAAAAEDI/puDwNZwy__Y/s200/statues.jpg)
![](http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ivRDSeXHgUg/SmaMVkE6auI/AAAAAAAAEDA/jjabjxrf83Y/s200/brianpinkney.jpg)
But I was able to soothe my nerves by getting immersed in the incredible art in the museum. I was just astounded by the collection, and the museum could only show a tiny fraction of it.
![](http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ivRDSeXHgUg/SmaMSSPzKBI/AAAAAAAAEC4/lkNpW0IVfmU/s200/gallery.jpg)
They let me see their high tech storage area and the art just goes on and on. It's amazing.
![](http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ivRDSeXHgUg/SmaMf3c7H-I/AAAAAAAAEDQ/F5wMMnuWry4/s200/storage.jpg)
Because the art they have is quite priceless. For example, original art by HR Rey:
![](http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ivRDSeXHgUg/SmaMNwK91kI/AAAAAAAAECw/OQJantMHVvY/s200/rey_art.jpg)
and originals from Madeleine:
![](http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ivRDSeXHgUg/SmaMFksUzpI/AAAAAAAAECo/G75MBeZ-AJ4/s200/bemelmans.jpg)
As I was walking through the museum, I was filled with such gratitude that a place like this exists. A place that preserves and treasures children's book art for the art it is.
My other favorite part of the museum is the hallway. I know that seems weird, but they are making the hallway into a tile wall with tiles by children's illustrators such as:
![](http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ivRDSeXHgUg/SmaL4-7S9pI/AAAAAAAAECY/QlKfCDW-a2c/s200/emberly_tile.jpg)
my favorite illustrator Elisa Kleven
![](http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ivRDSeXHgUg/SmaL0r1i3lI/AAAAAAAAECQ/RVzFLH0PhJo/s200/elisa_tile.jpg)
and good friend (and great artist!) Mary Newell DePalma.
![](http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ivRDSeXHgUg/SmaLwNAGVrI/AAAAAAAAECI/7h7VwEfYSmA/s200/mary_tile.jpg)
I think art schools that teach children's book illustration should have field trips here! I regret not seeing all of this when I was in school. However, at least now I have my next trip to the Mazza Museum to look forward to.