Museum ABC is a unique and colorful picture book that uses the alphabet to introduce children to more than a hundred works of art.A full spread is devoted to each letter of the alphabet and four pictures of the object represented. This simple presentation scheme allows readers to see how objects can be both the same and different in the eyes of various artists, cultures, and time periods.Children will be fascinated to discover that boats, roses, trees, or even windows can be so different from one another and from those they see every day.Adults will love the visual and cultural richness of this alphabetical tour through the Metropolitan Museum's collection.A fact section at the end of the book provides more details about each piece of art and its creator.

Customer Rating:
Summary: the best ABC ever
Comment: My grandchildren began enjoying this book well before their first birthdays and loved them, almost always wanting to have them "read." The book is beautifully produced and introduces each letter with four works of art from the Met collection that exemplify the letter. "B," for example, is "boat" and the four art works are from different periods and styles but all have recognizable "boats" in them. I think that we "are what we see" and giving children such beautiful images as part of their mindscapes from early on is a wonderful gift. This book and its companions, Met shapes, colors, and numbers (which follow the same format but aren't quite as compelling as the letters) have been my baby gifts of choice for some time now.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: The only ABC book you need
Comment: My daughters (4 and 3) love this book. The illustrations are taken from classical works of art and are extremely engaging. They love choosing their favorite pictures. The text is bold and my older daughter loved having me spell the words for her. By placing her finger on each letter, over and over, she was able to learn her ABC's. I would buy this book for any young child.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Almost perfect
Comment: This is really a great book and a great alphabet learning tool for toddlers. The letters are all presented in very large print and the art is very lovely. It's a good, unique book for a child since most other ABC books only have very basic pictures rather than famous masterpieces. The only complaint I have is that "M is for Monster". The monsters are not the Sesame Street variety, but are actually kind of creepy-looking beasts. Not the best choice for young children. We always sort of skip the letter M.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Not just for toddlers!
Comment: I recently visited Chicago and had time to visit their art museum. When I came home, my daughter was entranced with the pictures I had taken and the fact that I stood in front of famous paintings, like "American Gothic" and "Sunday in the Park".

She's turning 9 and I'm buying this book as a birthday gift for her. Most art books are limited to a single art style or artist and I wanted a broader range collected in one book. It's great to show the books to toddlers, but don't forget older children who are starting to develop a true interest in things outside their own little world.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Great idea, but...
Comment: The implementation lacks something to be desired. Maybe a version 2 will be better.

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