Through the Looking Glass Children's Book Reviews

Arlo's ARTrageous Adventure!

Arlo's ARTrageous Adventure!

David LaRochelle
Novelty Board Book
For ages 4 to 6
Sterling Children's Books, 2013   ISBN: 978-1402792267

One day Arlo’s grandmother comes into his bedroom and she announces that they are going to the art museum “whether you like it or NOT!” Not surprisingly, Arlo is not too keen on going, especially when he is told that he has to be on his “best behavior.”

   Arlo is fully expecting that the museum is going to be horrendously boring, but it turns out that he was wrong. Some of the paintings and sculptures that he sees behave rather oddly. They don’t stay still on their plinths and in their frames the way such works of art are supposed to do. Instead, they move, change, and even goof off. If would appear that Arlo’s grandmother is wrong. An art museum isn’t always a “SERIOUS place. Sometimes it is a fun place.

   As they look through this book, children are going to love lifting the fifty flaps on the pages to see what happens to the works of art in this rather unusual art museum. The juxtaposition between what Arlo’s grandmother is saying and what is going on literally behind her back is amusing, and children will be delighted to see that Arlo has a grand time, in spite of everything his aged relative says. The narrative concludes with a wonderful surprise that will make readers smile. It would appear that Arlo’s adventures are only just beginning.