The Museum of Willa and Wade

Come one, come all to a very special event … the grand opening of the Museum of Willa and Wade!

Willa and Wade (an ostrich and a penguin) discover something curious on their walk. The small round object is sparkly but looks very old. They’ve discovered a treasure! And it belongs in a museum. In fact, it belongs in their very own museum, which will be called the Museum of Willa and Wade (MOWW). So, how do you make a museum? Well, first they have to choose a location. A box labeled MOWW is just the thing. Next, they need to add a few more treasures. Wade’s rock, handed down for generations, and Willa’s dinosaur are perfect for rounding out the collection. Add a café and a grand opening and voilà! They’ve created the perfect museum – almost as perfect as their friendship!

Judith Henderson’s graphic-novel series for early readers is a testament to trying new things, being undeterred by setbacks and learning as you go. The two adorable flightless birds are ever curious and always optimistic as they use creative problem-solving to work their way to solutions. Through it all, their friendship is the star, as the two are always open to each other’s suggestions. Illustrations by Sara Sarhangpour add to the whimsical tone of the story and, with just a few per spread, never overwhelm young readers. This book offers excellent character-education lessons on teamwork, initiative and perseverance. It could also serve as a great discussion starter on the value of museums or on what the things we cherish represent to us.