The Key to Adventure

A special children’s book project from the Connecticut Museum.

Written by Rebecca Gavin
Illustrated by Mya Concepcion

When a young girl named Prudence finds a strange-looking key, she brings it along on her visit to the Connecticut Museum–and suddenly falls back in time! Join Prudence on a magical journey through Connecticut history, where she meets new friends, explores new places, and learns that everyone holds their own key to adventure. With whimsical illustrations of the Connecticut Museum and its objects and a story that inspires imagination and encourages discovery, The Key to Adventure will delight children of all ages. Written and illustrated by Education staff members of the Connecticut Museum!

COMING JUNE 28, 2025

About the Creative Team

AUTHOR

Rebecca Gavin had the best first job working in a children’s room at her local library which fostered a lifelong appreciation for children’s books. Today she works as the Director of Education at the Connecticut Museum of Culture and History- which is a totally awesome job! Becca loves teaching people about history and is drawn to the stories that objects can tell. In her spare time, she can be found enjoying the outdoors, going on adventures (real or imaginary) with her family, baking something delicious, or curling up with a good book. 

ILLUSTRATOR

Mya Concepcion has always believed that art and education go hand in hand. After graduating with a degree in Painting, she sought out different jobs in education and landed in the wonderful world of museums (where art and education thrive!). Today she works as a Museum Educator where she loves using images and objects to help share stories with children across Connecticut. When she isn’t at the museum, she loves painting in her studio and finding her own keys to adventure with her loved ones. 

Exhibit-on-Wheels Book Tour

Join The Key to Adventure on its tour throughout the state! Throughout the summer, a traveling exhibit-on-wheels inspired by the story will make stops throughout Connecticut, inviting families to step inside the bus and into an interactive exhibition that explores the world within the story. Created and organized in partnership with cARTie the Art Museum Bus. Free copies of the book will be available at each stop, one per family on a first come first served basis.

View the tour schedule below to find a stop near you!