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

An anthropomorphized name tag named Daisy gives a discarded “Admit One” ticket stub (named Stub) a tour of an art museum—doing the same for readers in the process—in an informative but dry offering from Goldin (Baxter, the Pig Who Wanted to Be Kosher). Although Goldin’s fictional museum is packed with famous works of art (van Gogh’s Starry Night and da Vinci’s Mona Lisa sit on the ground beside crates waiting to be unpacked), this isn’t an art history lesson. As Daisy guides Stub through the galleries, she discusses the museum’s layout, operations (including security systems and temperature controls), and various staff responsibilities, from conservators to archivists. The book works best as a basic introduction to what a museum is and how it works; the paintings and sculptures are ID’d on the closing page, but it’s difficult to imagine readers flipping back and forth. Furthermore, with the story’s emphasis on processes and protocols (no touching the art, please!), Daisy and Stub may not inspire much enthusiasm for a day at the museum. Ages 4–8. (Nov.)