Mayhem at the Museum

April 1, 2020
In this almost-wordless picture book, five small children walk obediently through an art museum with their caregiver/teacher--and the art itself demands interaction. A very young child who presents Asian climbs the steps of an imposing, neoclassical building to join a racially diverse but similarly aged group lined up before a red sign that reads "No touching the art." Their teacher and museum guard--both women of color in Lozano's cartoony art--exchange understanding glances over the children's heads. Once inside, the titular mayhem begins. After a character from a cartoony replica of a famous Renoir painting leans out to give the child figurative raspberries, an ersatz Van Gogh portrait hands over his literal hat. In room after room, additional works of Western European art unload hats, flowers, fruits, and musical instruments upon patrons whose expressions change from vexed to pleased; even the guard becomes a participant. The art is appropriately colorful and exuberant, with varied layouts. Unfortunately, the red sign becomes a didactic, unnecessary punchline. Lozano carefully places plaques next to each work replicated but fills them with scribble instead of useful information; the pieces are identified in tiny type on the copyright page. The strong effort to show diversity in museum patrons and workers is undercut by the highly Eurocentric representation of art depicted. Anna at the Art Museum, by Hazel Hutchins and Gail Herbert and illustrated by Lil Crump (2018), is more sophisticated and more engaging. Entertaining if limited arts appreciation. (Picture book. 5-7)

COPYRIGHT(2020) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

June 1, 2020

PreS-Gr 3-A little girl and her friends have a unique museum experience in this clever wordless book that literally brings the art to life. The pigtailed protagonist climbs the steps to an art museum, joining several children and an adult guide. As they traverse the museum, various paintings interact with them. Van Gogh hands the girl his straw hat, a Cezanne painting drops its fruit to the floor, a musician hands the girl his ukelele, and Degas's little dancer leaps off her pedestal. At the tour's conclusion, everything returns to normal, with the protagonist and the security guard sharing a wink. The art has a cartoonish style, portraying people with large, dotted eyes and small, sharp noses. Lozano maximizes his space, using full-bleed spreads, spot art and panels to effectively move the story forward. The story is entertaining and clever, with a diverse cast of children and adults experiencing new joy as the art comes to life. The simple plot is effective and arresting. Some images lack continuity, including a left page depicting only half a painting. Finally, all information about the art appears in tiny text on the copyright page, where it is likely to be missed. VERDICT This is an appealing title, and libraries looking for wordless or art picture books might enjoy this additional purchase.-Amy Lilien-Harper, Wilton Lib., CT

Copyright 2020 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

June 1, 2020
Preschool-G On a visit to New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art, a young girl and her classmates listen carefully as their teacher explains the paintings they see. Then, one of Renoir's Two Young Girls at the Piano turns to stick out her tongue. Later, Van Gogh's self-portrait offers his straw hat to the girl, and soon the entire class is parading through the museum carrying Monet's sunflowers and munching on C�zanne's apples, with one child wearing the collection's Stechhelm (Helm for the Joust of Peace). To their credit, the teacher and museum guard join in the fun, and the tour concludes with everyone back to normal at Degas' The Little Fourteen-Year-Old Dancer. Lozano's digitally enhanced artwork carries this wordless tale with vivid color, lots of action (the kids march joyfully through the halls), and a cheeky attitude. The illustrations are varied, and many break the fourth wall. A sign at the entrance stresses "No Touching the Art," but by the end, it reads, "The Art Touches You." An entertaining introduction to art whether at the Met or another museum.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2020, American Library Association.)