Between 2000-2023 numerous undergraduates at Toronto Metropolitan University in the Department of English participated in our research project as collaborators examining virtual and in-person exhibits in museums around the world. As a part of their Capstone Seminar, students in Dr. Naomi Hamer's English 910 course completed critical exhibit reviews and capstone projects on the basis of their classroom discussions, lectures, and readings on children’s museums. Students were required to visit multiple virtual museum sites and exhibits as part of their course engagement. The review assignment invited students to discuss one selected exhibit (digital, in-person or hybrid) relevant to the course either featuring children’s literature or artifacts and/or hosted by a children’s museum. The reviews included in this section draw upon the theoretical and methodological frameworks discussed in the course readings with particular reference to Nina Simon’s The Participatory Museum (2010).  The students also produced capstone assignments that focus on an exhibit and a proposal for its revision or extension. Framed by Erica Lehrer and Shelley Ruth Butler’s Curatorial Dreams: Critics Imagine Exhibitions (2016), students provided extensions to existing exhibits or new ideas for critical exhibits that challenge both the place of children in museums, and diverse knowledges in our public sphere. 

All rights reserved by the review authors and used here with permission.

Ahmed Ridha Fantastic Beasts Exhibit Review and Proposed Extension
Arianna Guaragna Van Gogh Exhibit Review and Proposed Extension
Cristal Gillette You Me Us and Animals Allowed Exhibit Review and Proposed Extension
Eleni Sapounas Smithsonian Human Origins and Mummies Exhibit Review and Proposed Extension
Emily Mackey Roald Dahl Museum Exhibit Review and Proposed Extension
Erica Armata Robert Munsch and Storyland Exhibit Review and Proposed Extension
Eva Escandon Tigers in Pictures Books and Anne of Green Gables Exhibit Review and Proposed Extension
Francesca Jamshidy Music of the Era Exhibit Review and Proposed Extension
Imani Brown A Question of Truth Exhibit Review and Proposed Extension
Isabelle Anastacio ROMKids Show and Adventures Exhibit Review and Proposed Extension
Jacqueline Petsinis Boston Black: A City Connects and BCM Exhibit Review and Proposed Extension
Joanna Tortorici  Munsch Madness Proposed Extension
Karen Li Boston Children’s Museum’s Exhibit Review and Proposed Extension
Kyrie Woolsey The Prehistoria Museum and Skull Store Exhibit Review and Canada Now Proposed Extension
Lola Messersi Tigers in Picture Books Exhibit Review and Proposed Extension
Lorraine Illeperuma Tigers in Picture Books Exhibit Review and Winnie the Pooh Proposed Extension
Matthew Luna Picture Books and VR Proposed Extension
Maxwell Hedington Fantastic Beasts Exhibit Review and Proposed Extension
Melina Milkis Winnie the Pooh Exhibit Review and Boston Children’s Museum Proposed Extension
Nadia Tonkovic Louvre Kids MetKidsExhibit Review and Proposed Extension
Paris Salmon-Wright Boston Children’s Museum Exhibit Review and Winnie the Pooh Proposed Extension
Rebecca Rocillo Kidtropolis Exhibit Review and Proposed Extension
Semhar Tesfagergies The Strong’s Sesame Street Exhibit Review and Proposed Extension
Shawna Cormier Harry Potter at the British Library Exhibit Review and Proposed Extension
Tiffany Yeung Louvre Kids Exhibit Review and Proposed Extension
Veron Zhou Winnie the Pooh Exhibit Review and Proposed Extension