By Darlene Bowers

After touring the Mazza Museum at the University of Findlay with a women’s group, Gail Peterson of Ada recalls thinking of her love of children’s books, utilizing them over the years in her speech therapy work and often sharing her favorites as gifts.

Gail loved and was in awe of the artwork she saw at Mazza whose website touts the collection at over 8,000 original illustrations.  A friend of Gail’s was a museum docent (leader of guided tours), and Gail quickly volunteered to begin docent training herself as she was planning to retire from the Hardin County Educational Service Center after a lifelong career of speech therapy work.

Gail has always enjoyed being around and engaging with children; working to expand their knowledge. Gail points out the similarities between her previous work in speech therapy and her upcoming docent position.

In both encouraging those she interacts with to expand their language and thinking processes, to compare and contrast, and to ask and answer questions are key elements. Leading children’s groups on tours of Mazza is a perfect venue for these activities.

Docent training thus far has included learning about the artwork and illustrators of children’s books, the process of making a picture book, the vastness of the collection, the workings of the teaching galleries and the resources of the museum. 

Conferences are also held giving further illumination to the workings of illustrators and authors. Patricia Polacco was a recent speaker at such a conference. Gail detailed that Polacco’s works are currently featured at Mazza and described being captivated by them, especially “The Keeping Quilt” exhibit. “The Keeping Quilt” is a tale of an immigrant girl (Polacco’s great grandmother) struggling to hold onto pieces of her separated family by stitching their clothing with her own into a quilt.  Polacco’s actual quilt has been gifted to Mazza.

Once when Gail was contemplating a job change from speech therapist to a more supervisory role Gail’s husband, Ron, urged her to carefully examine where she would have the most impact.

She considered how she could reach the greatest amount of children to engage with them and expand their knowledge. Once again Gail has found a way to continue to have that impact as she greets her first tour as Mazza Museum docent and welcomes yet more children, and adults too, into the world of books, illustrators and learning.