The Museum Book: A Guide to Strange and Wonderful Collections
Description
Why do people collect things? This ode to museums mighty and minuscule will draw curious viewers of all ages — and is worthy of collection itself.
What is a museum? Why would anyone amass shells, words, clocks, teeth, trains, dinosaurs, mummies . . . or two-headed sheep? Find out where the word "museum" comes from and what unusual items (unicorn horns? mermaids?) some early museums placed on view. Jan Mark’s humorous and conversational insights take readers through museums’ multifaceted history, while Richard Holland’s eye-catching mixed-media illustrations lend their own quirky flair. With vivid examples from all around the world, this wonderful book puts museums — and the many artifacts lovingly stored there — on display in a whole new light. Back matter includes a glossary and an index.
A Common Core Text Exemplar
Praise for The Museum Book: A Guide to Strange and Wonderful Collections
The act of opening this eclectic, tall-format tome will launch readers on a leisurely and edifying journey of discovery.
—Publishers Weekly (starred review)
Reading through this look at all things museum (definition of; history of; issues surrounding) is itself like wandering through an eclectic and idiosyncratic museum, marveling at the wonders it contains.
—The Horn Book