TAVARES — This week staff from the Lake County Historical Museum and Lake County Library System welcomed works of renowned children’s literature illustrator Janeen Mason to Gallery IV of the museum, located at 317 W. Main St. in Tavares.

“Art is an important part of Lake County’s history,” said Dr. Diane Kamp, Director of Lake County museums. “This is just an extension of history that is being made now by this artist.”

Janeen Mason signs her illustrated children’s books for Sandra Price, a Lake County Librarian.

More than 54 originals adorn the gallery from the nine different children’s books Mason illustrated, including “Ocean Commotion, Sea Turtles!,” “Kissimmee Pete: Tall Tale of a Cracker Cow Hunter,” “Pirate Pink and Treasures of the Reef,” “Going Around the Sun: Some Planetary Fun!” and “Lucinda’s Lamps, A Mermaid’s Guide to Lights in the Sea.” The “Art of the Book” exhibit is available to view until Friday, March 27.

“This is the first collaborative project between the Historical Museum and Library Services Division,” said Judy Buckland, Library Services Program Coordinator. “This is also a wonderful beginning to the Lake County Library’s System 2009 Festival of Reading.”

The theme of the Sixth Annual Festival of Reading, from March 25-28, is “Fantastic Florida.” The festival includes about two dozen events at member and branch libraries in the Lake County Library System. Mason, of Stuart, Fla., will make another guest appearance during the Festival Reading at the Saturday, March 28, announcement of the bookmark-design contest winners at the Leesburg Public Library at 10:30 a.m. For a detailed list of Festival of Reading events, call (352) 253-6167 or log on to www.lakeline.lib.fl.us/festivalofreading.

The museum’s “Art of the Book” exhibit is open Monday-Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., excluding holidays. For more information about the museum, call (352) 343-9600. Many of the illustrated works on display are available for purchase. For more information, e-mail Mason at janeen@janeenmason.com or log on to www.janeenmason.com.