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Library Mouse #4

Library Mouse: A Museum Adventure

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Sam the library mouse and his friend Sarah are off on a new adventure. This time they leave the library behind and go to a museum so Sam can make sketches in his explorer’s journal. Sarah isn’t so sure that explorers have the time or the interest to write in journals. But Sam shows her that a journal can contain anything, from a ticket stub to drawings of cool things like dinosaurs and ancient Egyptian mummies. As they explore the museum, they see all kinds of art and unexpectedly make friends with another artist. The latest book in this bestselling series is sure to entice readers to come along on the museum adventure.

32 pages, Hardcover

First published March 1, 2012

6 people are currently reading
148 people want to read

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Daniel Kirk

86 books54 followers

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5 stars
103 (25%)
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146 (36%)
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27 (6%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
Profile Image for Sonja Rosa Lisa ♡  .
4,681 reviews621 followers
February 22, 2025
Ich lese fast nur auf deutsch und höre Hörbücher auf deutsch. Mein Englisch ist leider recht eingerostet. Dieses Buch habe ich als Hörbuch auf englisch gehört. Es ist ein Kinderbuch über zwei Mäuse, die ein Museum erkunden. Mit einer Hördauer von nur gut zehn Minuten war es für mich als Einstieg sehr gut geeignet und zudem hat es auch noch Spaß gemacht. 💕
Profile Image for Kris (My Novelesque Life).
4,685 reviews209 followers
March 31, 2016
A MUSEUM ADVENTURE
(Library Mouse: #4)
Written and Illustrated by Daniel Kirk
2012, 32 Pages
Genre: picture book, children's

★★★

Sam and his new friend, Sarah go on adventure outside the library. They visit the Museum next door and see new exciting things. A fair story but very much like the last book.
Profile Image for Abigail.
7,830 reviews250 followers
November 20, 2019
Sam the mouse and his murine friend Sarah return in this fourth Library Mouse picture-book adventure, this time setting out to explore the museum located right next door to the library where they live. Sam insists that they take journals, despite the more action-oriented Sarah's skepticism, and they come in handy when, after seeing some amazing art and artifacts, they encounter an unusual feline artist...

Like its predecessors, Library Mouse: A Museum Adventure pairs an engaging story with bright, colorful illustrations. Sarah, who first appeared in the third installment of the series, Library Mouse: A World to Explore , makes a good foil for Sam, who is a little more timid in his approach to adventuring. Recommended to fans of the series, and to anyone looking for children's stories about museums, about exploring, and about being an author and/or an artist.
Profile Image for Chris.
1,069 reviews18 followers
March 22, 2017
I love Sam the library mouse, and the first book in this series is still one of my all-time favorites. In this, the fourth book about Sam - book writer and art lover extraordinaire, - he and his friend, Sarah venture next door to the museum. Here they find that all their preconceived notions about cats being scary are wrong. The museum cat has created a gallery of paintings depicting animals...like mice! Sam insists that Sarah bring a journal, even though she doesn't want to, and discovers that it was an excellent idea. Somehow, the whole journal thing felt a little flat, as did the meeting up of other animals in the museum. It didn't touch me like the previous titles have. Still enjoyable, though!
Profile Image for Jeremiah Murphy.
309 reviews2 followers
July 31, 2024
The first book is the best. Kids will like this one. To me, it’s just not as fun as the first book.
Profile Image for Barbara.
14.6k reviews311 followers
May 25, 2012
Although he prefers spending time reading and taking notes in the safety of his library, Sam the library mouse is persuaded by his friend Sarah to visit the museum that is right next door. The two of them take along their journals in order to record what they see. As they move through the museum's rooms, Sam shows Sarah some of the things a journal might contain, including ticket stubs, a stamp, even sketches of the artwork they view. When a cat appears, both mice run for their lives since Sam especially is afraid of felines. They are pleasantly surprised to find a special gallery devoted to the artwork of the very cat from whom they were fleeing. Although the story covers familiar territory, fans of this particular series will enjoy this title and its gouache illustrations that fill its pages in sumptuous colors. Something tells me that Sam is glad he took a risk and left the library, if only for a short time.
Profile Image for Colleen Vincent.
66 reviews2 followers
February 28, 2013
Library mouse returns. Museums and libraries are a marriage made in heaven in my opinion. Another winner from Kirk. The mini protagonist and his friend venture out of the library to view fine works of art. While viewing fine paintings and sculpture, the two pals meet some interesting animals that run the "special galleries downstairs. Exposing children to art and culture through cute characters and artful illustrations make this a winner.
380 reviews
January 13, 2019
Sam and Sarah explored the museum next to the library where they lived. They admired the giant artworks from all over the world.
The illustrations contain lots of art pieces which are well-known. For instance, Greek statues and dinosaur bones are illustrated. It is a good tip to bring a journal to take notes and record memories and impressions as the animal protagonists, Sam and Sarah, do in this picture book. Unlike the other book, Library Mouse: Home Sweet Home, by the same author, this version did not provide references or information on the artworks illustrated in this picture book which would be more helpful for readers.
33 reviews1 follower
October 6, 2017
Gilberto.L
10

Review:
Sam was at his library and his friend sarah dropped in and she asked him would you like to go to the. Museum and he said no but then he changed his mind and so they went.

What I liked about this book that it has adventurer and that he went to the museum. Where ever they would go the cat would follow them. I didn't like was that the cat likes mice so he drawe them and they became friends.

I recommend this for kids under 11 and in grade 5 and lower if you like adventure this is the book for you or if you like going to a museum.
Profile Image for Rick Christiansen.
1,098 reviews11 followers
February 3, 2021
I can't help but to feel like Sarah, despite her adventerous spirit, is a bad influence on Sam.

Sam is a sweet mouse who abides by the rules and enjoys the safety of his library. Sarah seems to continually peer pressure him into taking risks that he is not comfortable with. She is too reckless and seems to always put him into dangerous situations. He has been lucky so far, but what happens in book 5? I see there is only one more book in the series past four.

Poor Sam, I knew it was over for him after he first held her hand.
Profile Image for Anomaly.
523 reviews
November 4, 2021
For some reason, my library doesn't have the third book in the Library Mouse collection; from what I've read in other reviews, that's where Sarah the mouse is first introduced. However, there's nothing particularly hard to understand without prior context.

I didn't find this one as charming as the other instalments. It had a cute ending, but was rather dull in the first half. The pictures also veered into Uncanny Valley more often than in the first and second books.
Profile Image for Rose Rosetree.
Author 15 books461 followers
February 12, 2024
This book is perfect for museum fans. Plus, readers can learn about the value of journaling.

Sam and his friend Sarah have had it with the library where they live. Just kidding! They're going to the museum for fun and learning.

Visuals here are amazing/ They include a fold-out page with hieroglyphics.

My favorite part involves an artistic cat:

I love mice," he said, "but I so seldom get to draw from life."
Profile Image for Andrea.
301 reviews70 followers
April 30, 2018
Just ok. The writing was pretty boring to me. Maybe this is good for young readers. I found it kind of stiff. The books shows how a bookish friend and an adventurous friend can both find things to enjoy (journaling while exploring) and learn things along the way as they walk through a museum. Lackluster and too contrived for me.
Profile Image for Rubi.
2,601 reviews11 followers
November 26, 2020
Sam and Sarah were kinda pushy in telling each ither what to do (exploring vs journal writing), but they respect each other and learn that both their ways can be fun and they can do it their own way. My favorite part was the tiny museum by the cat artist hehe
Now I feel like making tiny painting using the little canvases sold in art stores. Will go by them this weekend 😄
Profile Image for Jillian.
848 reviews6 followers
Read
March 12, 2024
No Rating

Read as an e-book

Admittedly, I speed-read this book. This was the last in five picture books I'd decided to read to get out of a rut. Like all the others in the series I'd read prior, it was cute and fun. Instead of a library, we are in a museum and they have an artist who is a cat. And the mice are explorers with journals. It's all very wholesome and bookish.
Profile Image for Kenson and kirra.
176 reviews
October 16, 2017
i think this was my favorite library mouse book. i'm glad sam conquored his feer and left the library. i love the suprise twist when they meet the artist at the museam. very nice book. i also like that it talked about journals. i have several journals myself (age 5)
Profile Image for Shanna.
792 reviews8 followers
May 31, 2024
This was good. I liked the nods to different artists and the little adventure outside the library. A few things were a bit far-fetched, but it’s Library Mouse, so I’ll give them a pass. Good overall.

Mia’s Year of Books: Day 81.
Profile Image for Annie ⚜️.
592 reviews21 followers
June 16, 2017
The cat thing weird me out but I live that it's about getting kids excited about museums, art and journaling.
Profile Image for Madison Hurlbut.
20 reviews1 follower
December 7, 2021
Just like the rest of this series, the images make the entire story come to life! Not only do they keep students engaged, they also show the students the story in an accurate representation.
Profile Image for Laurie.
879 reviews
September 6, 2014
Booklist (May 15, 2012 (Online))

Grades K-2. In Kirk’s fourth book about his cute little library mouse, Sam and his mouse friend Sarah leave the library to visit a museum. As this is Sam’s first foray outside the library, he wants both of them to take an “explorer’s journal” to record their adventure—a bad idea, Sarah thinks. The outing gives Sam several frights (dinosaur bones!), but ultimately Sarah takes to keeping a journal, and they return to the library a happy pair. Fans will relish this warmhearted new adventure, which is even more dramatic and visually exciting than the previous entries.



Horn Book (Fall 2012)

The Library Mouse and his sidekick venture to the museum next door and encounter an artist--a cat who'd rather draw mice than eat them. This didactic addition to the series features more nods to adult art aficionados (lots of mouse versions of famous paintings) than interest for children. Fans, though, may not mind, and Kirk's art is appealing, if stiff.



Publishers Weekly (March 12, 2012)

Kirk's fourth book about Sam the library mouse continues the exploration theme of the third book, Library Mouse: A World to Explore, while offering a significant focus on art. Along with Sarah, the adventure-seeking mouse he met in the previous story, Sam makes an after-hours visit to the museum next door, giving Sam his first trip outside the library and introducing both mice to art and artifacts from across the centuries. Kirk revels in the museum environment, and readers (with parental help) will be able to identify works by and allusions to Seurat, Hokusai, Degas, and many more. The mice, though, are a bit wooden, with the same basic expressions whether admiring statuary or running away from the museum's resident artist cat. Ages 4-8. (Mar.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.



School Library Journal (September 1, 2012)

K-Gr 3-There is an inherent connection between libraries and museums, and Library Mouse continues his adventures in a new arena as he encourages budding artists and authors. Daniel Kirk's delightful story (Abrams, 2012) about two mice friends exploring a museum is almost wholly dependent on Kirk's wonderful illustrations for meaning. Chris Sorensen's narration is serviceable, but the production would have benefited from some introductory music or sound effects. This museum adventure makes an ideal listen/read before a unit on journaling or a visit to an art or history museum. Library Mouse, Sam, who is a writer, and his friend, Sarah, an explorer, see marvelous examples of Ancient Egyptian artifacts, knights in shining armor, and a panoply of famous paintings (art details can be accessed at http://www.abramsbooks.com/librarymou... Guide_FINAL.pdf). Along the way, they meet a mysterious, if initially frightening, fellow artist who admires their work. Students will be inspired to bring along their own journals on museum field trips to record their sketches and write about what they see. Librarians, art teachers, and classroom teachers will find the colorful picture book a stimulating and useful tool for their lessons, so make sure it is always available along with the audio version.-Lonna Pierce, MacArthur Elementary School, Binghamton, NY (c) Copyright 2012. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Dolly.
Author 1 book668 followers
November 25, 2019
This is another cute story in the Library Mouse series by Daniel Kirk. We had only read the first story in the series, and in fact, I didn't know there were other books featuring this cute little mouse.

This story takes Sam and his friend Sarah next door to the art museum. The narrative is entertaining to read aloud and our girls loved looking for the cat on each page. The story is somewhat dramatic, but not scary and the ending is sweet. The illustrations are very nicely detailed and complement the story well.

I liked that Sam encourages Sarah to write a journal and still have adventures. We enjoyed reading this book together and I will likely look for the books in this series we haven't read yet at our local library.
Profile Image for Becky B.
9,110 reviews175 followers
December 10, 2015
Sarah suggests to Sam an adventure to the museum next door so he can see the art he's looking at in books in real life. Sam's a little nervous about going outside the library for the first time, but agrees. The two mice bask in the art they find, but Sam is a little disappointed by the lack of mice in the art and decidedly nervous by the amount of cats. They are about to leave the museum when they get a surprise tour of a special exhibit and make an extraordinary new friend.

A great book to use when preparing kids for a trip to a museum. It also introduces them to a few different styles of art. What I really loved though was noticing that their surprise at the end of the story is foreshadowed in many of the illustrations. Look carefully at each picture after Sam and Sarah enter the museum. Someone is following them around, someone they'll eventually meet at the end of the story.
1,263 reviews6 followers
July 15, 2025
Library Mouse A Museum Adventure is an intriguing journey guided by vibrant illustrations, brilliantly reproduced museum artifacts and artwork in Daniel Kirk's amazing style, and above all, fun and friendship.
Along the way, see if you can spot the tell-tale signs of a character inside the Museum - who is closely observing Sam and Sarah on their adventure!
The author's note at the end is also delightful.

Lovers of this book might also enjoy Anthony Browne's 'Willy's Pictures'.
Profile Image for Linda .
4,160 reviews51 followers
August 11, 2013
This book about Sam the Library Mouse centers on an adventure with his friend Sarah. She tells him there’s a museum next door and off they go. The number of experiences Kirk shows that can happen in a museum is wonderful, and through Sam’s and Sarah’s eyes, the story also introduces field journals, something everyone in my school uses. It was a very fun story.
Profile Image for Ginny Daniels.
418 reviews5 followers
July 12, 2016
This is a cute picture book series, and would be great to use at the beginning of the school year if having students utilize a writer's notebook. Sam and Sarah mouse go on a visit to a museum. They each take a notebook to write notes or facts and to make sketches as they explore different exhibits in a museum.
Profile Image for Great Books.
3,034 reviews60 followers
March 8, 2012
The library mouse, Sam, is on another adventure with best friend, Sarah, and this time it is to a museum. While exploring ancient artifacts and paintings, the pair are frightened by a cat and flee to the safety of a special gallery. Reviewer 17
Profile Image for Shelli.
5,144 reviews56 followers
April 21, 2012
Leaving the safety of the library to go on an adventure sounds a bit overwhelming for Library Mouse. (I don't blame him!) With a little bit of encouragement from a friend, and his trusty notebook the journey could be a memorable one. Just watch out far cats.
3,239 reviews
September 14, 2012
Sam the library mouse and his friend Sarah leave the library and go to a museum so that Sam can make sketches in his explorer's journal, and while there, they see different kinds of artwork and make friends with another artist.
Profile Image for Tye.
233 reviews2 followers
August 29, 2013
So, I read this aloud with my kids as a bedtime story.

I was surprised that they both liked it.

This is a great picture book that can be used as a conversation starter for topics about adventure, travels, history, ancient Egypt, Greece, and more.

Great illustrations and good storytelling.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews

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