Inside the Museum: A Children's Guide to the Metropolitan Museum of Art - Softcover

Richardson, Joy

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0810925613 ISBN 13: 9780810925618

Publisher: Harry N Abrams Inc, 1993

Synopsis

An engaging text, which discusses everything from Assyrian art to medieval armor, and illustrations encourage children to interact with works of art and objects from every area of the Metropolitan Museum's vast collections. Original.

About this title

From School Library Journal

Grade 4-8-A book that gives information about specific pieces and areas of interest within the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. Chapters are arranged in a kind of geographic chronology, starting with Egyptian art and then proceeding through Asian, Islamic, Greek, Medieval, African, American, and 20th-century collections. Readers also get a glimpse behind the scenes at those who dust the sculptures, mop the floors, repair fragile items, and prepare exhibitions. This slim volume is jam-packed with fascinating bits of trivia. Layout is, however, cluttered, with too much crammed onto each page. The inclusion of nine suggested craft activities detracts from the informative tone- the projects themselves are uninspired and diminish the importance of the objects referred to, which were often instrumental in a culture's sacred rituals. Full-color photographs are clear and well printed, though sometimes so small that details are difficult to decipher. Nonetheless, this is a good choice for readers who have already been or are planning to visit this wonderful museum.
Alexandra Marris, Rochester Public Library, NY
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Gr. 4-7. Objects displayed in New York City's Metropolitan Museum of Art are the focus here, but Richardson doesn't forget the activity that goes on behind the museum's closed doors. In fact, her photo tour of some of the museum's magnificent collections begins with a peek "backstage," where the organization, record keeping, and preservation of the artwork goes on. The many photographs are excellent and well chosen to give a fine sense of the building's contents--from mummy cases, costumes, and musical instruments to European paintings and twentieth-century sculpture. Unfortunately, the layout is crowded, the drawings provided are occasionally amateurish, and chapter changes are not clearly distinguished. However, Richardson's text is filled with fascinating facts, and she's included a few projects to help kids make the jump from armchair touring and appreciating to the actual art-making process. Stephanie Zvirin

About this edition

• Publisher: Harry N Abrams Inc
• Publication date: 1993
• ISBN 10: 0810925613
• ISBN 13: 9780810925618
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 72