There are two things that I especially love in the book:  the way you painted the circle of light around the golden lampman as he leads them all out to skate and the shadows of all the figures as they are on the ice and especially the ballerina.  Exquisite.  This is a book that we will treasure!  I hope there will be another one coming! --Cheryl

This Christmas I felt we should go to Somerset House and visit the gallery, so we went on the last weekend of the holidays, book in tow. Not only did Sophia find all of the pictures on her own, but she was able to tell their stories. She was fascinated with the Nativity and the Garden of Eden scenes, and of course, the Rubens painting. It was a wonderful afternoon. By the time we left the gallery it was getting dark. The skaters were out in full force skating in front of a giant Christmas tree. Sophia wanted to know if we could come back "when the pictures come alive." --- Irmgard

Magic at the Museum hit bestseller status in Winnipeg for the week of 6 Sept 2009.

It is Anne's birthday. Her mother takes her to a museum and gives her a necklace. Anne does not want to look at the paintings in the quiet gallery; she wants her cake. She falls asleep and encounters the best birthday party of all.

The children's book, "Magic at the Museum", is set in the Courtauld Institute of Art, London, where Jane Heinrichs did a masters degree in art history. The paintings come alive, jump out of their picture frames, and lead Anne on a marvelous adventure to the Somerset House skating rink. The book was inspired by Jane's deep love for art, history and children's literature. She loved to walk through the gallery and imagine that the paintings were her friends.

It is the perfect book to introduce young children to art and museums and teach them in a fun and whimsical way. All the paintings featured in the book are in the permanent collection of the Courtauld Gallery, and can be seen on any trip to the museum.

See News to view a list of stores where the book is available for purchase.