A Day at the Gallery: An Arty Animal Search Book Jam-Packed with Facts

K-Gr 3--Foxes, kangaroos, llamas, and other animals visit an art gallery in this cheerful introduction to Western painting styles of the 19th and 20th centuries. Taking a broad look at artistic movements from the Impressionists of the 1860s through Optical Art in the 1960-80s, this book cleverly mixes art history with a search-and-find game. Each artistic movement is highlighted in a spread that names the style's general characteristics and most representative artists, along with renderings of iconic paintings altered to include animals from the book. A time line, glossary, and a key to the search-and-find games are provided at the end. This book is a jumping-off point rather than a deep dive into art history. It achieves its purpose neatly by presenting an attractive look at the concept of art movements through brightly colored illustrations, cute animals, and eye-catching page layouts. It is likely to encourage young readers to take a closer look into the study of art and would be an excellent choice in preparing for a first museum visit. VERDICT A vibrant, upbeat introduction to a variety of art movements with high appeal for young readers. Recommended where art history books are needed.--Allison Tran