Meet Me at the Art Museum: A Whimsical Look Behind the Scenes

Image of Meet Me at the Art Museum: A Whimsical Look Behind the Scenes
Author(s): 
Release Date: 
November 1, 2012
Publisher/Imprint: 
Abrams Books for Young Readers
Pages: 
40
Reviewed by: 

“. . . an interesting take on a trip to the art museum. . . . who works there and what jobs they are responsible for doing.”

Meet Me at the Art Museum: A Whimsical Look Behind the Scenes is focused on a Stub (a museum ticket) after it is discarded on the floor of an art museum.

Having nowhere to go, Daisy, the docent’s helper (a name tag) finds him and offers him a tour of the museum. Stub meets many characters that help in the museum like a badge who keeps the artworks safe, a computer who archives them, and others.

From the director’s office to the library to the conservator’s studio to the loading dock, Stub discovers who does what, and what goes on, behind the scenes at the museum. He even finds a home for himself among the museum’s many treasures, but what place would be perfect for a museum ticket?

This is an interesting take on a trip to the art museum. Where most books focus on the paintings, this author focuses on, not just some of the paintings, but who works there and what jobs they are responsible for doing.

The characters will capture children’s attention 4 and up, while the illustrations, mixed with real art, will inspire many questions. In the back of the book, the author includes a Who’s Who at the Museum, a What’s What at the Museum, as well as more information on art titles.

On the inside of both covers is a floor plan of the first and second floors of the museum the author talks about in the story, though it may not be representative of what every art museum looks like.

Overall, this book will entice children of all ages to want to take a trip to their nearest art museum to learn more about all the great people and things that go on there.