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Museum 123
In this simple and elegant counting book from the world's most renowned museum, numbers are introduced to children through masterpieces of art. Each number from one to ten has four pages devoted to it. First, readers are invited to search for how many of a certain object they can find in a single piece of art. Then, they turn the page to discover four different works illustrating that number. Information about each piece of art and its creator appear in the back of the book. While kids practice counting, adults will love the cultural richness and educational value of this tour through the Metropolitan Museum's collection, from Ancient Egyptian tomb paintings and tenth century Iranian art to the work of Vincent Van Gogh and Homer Winslow.
48 pages, Hardcover
First published October 6, 2004
52 people want to read
About the author
Metropolitan Museum of Art
1,314 books51 followersThe Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, (colloquially, the “Met”) is the largest art museum in the United States.
It was founded on April 13, 1870, "to be located in the City of New York, for the purpose of establishing and maintaining in said city a Museum and library of art, of encouraging and developing the study of the fine arts, and the application of arts to manufacture and practical life, of advancing the general knowledge of kindred subjects, and, to that end, of furnishing popular instruction."
It was founded on April 13, 1870, "to be located in the City of New York, for the purpose of establishing and maintaining in said city a Museum and library of art, of encouraging and developing the study of the fine arts, and the application of arts to manufacture and practical life, of advancing the general knowledge of kindred subjects, and, to that end, of furnishing popular instruction."
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
October 9, 2025
A funny thing happened on my way to my donation basket in my Little Free Library Shed. Two children’s books were donated that were “written” by the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The second book, which I have also reviewed is called, Museum ABC. What makes this particularly interesting is that just a week or so earlier, the book, “All the Beauty in the World” by Patrick Bringley was also donated.
Why interesting? His book shared his experience as a guard at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Do you believe in coincidences?
This book is a simple teaching tool for kids showing them the numbers 1-10 featuring actual works of art from the museum. The book is so beautifully visual that it should be an exciting way for kids of all ages to learn and gather an appreciation for art.
There is also an extensive index at the back of the book that identifies the art, that coincides with the numbers.
Reading Level – Ages 4 – 6 years – Grade Level – Preschool – 1st Grade
Why interesting? His book shared his experience as a guard at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Do you believe in coincidences?
This book is a simple teaching tool for kids showing them the numbers 1-10 featuring actual works of art from the museum. The book is so beautifully visual that it should be an exciting way for kids of all ages to learn and gather an appreciation for art.
There is also an extensive index at the back of the book that identifies the art, that coincides with the numbers.
Reading Level – Ages 4 – 6 years – Grade Level – Preschool – 1st Grade
August 7, 2014
I loved this beautiful counting book featuring artwork from the Met. Each page starts with a question written partially in bold, colorful print...for example, "How many kittens follow their mother?" On the facing page is a piece of artwork. On the next page, there are four more small pictures of artwork that also share that same number and on the facing page the number written as a numeral and as a word. I appreciate that a wide variety of types of artwork (mask, quilt, paintings, embroidery, lithographs, even a detail from an Egyptian coffin) were included. I was also pleased to see that artists from many backgrounds were represented. It wasn't a perfect selection...no Central or South American artists, most pieces were pretty realistic (which makes sense...many surreal pieces of artwork would be hard to count objects), and more American artists than any other nationality. However, I still felt it was a great selection...and think it is wonderful for children to be exposed to so many types of art. I wish I could go visit the Met... and the Louvre...(Been to each one time and would love to go back.)
September 13, 2012
Museum 123 is a book that's suitable for the guided reader. The book uses several artistic styles and famous painting to help children learn to count. I found it difficult as an adult to follow some set of pictures and count how many of something once the pictures became more intricate. I enjoyed the various art styles and works but for a very young child of today it may be hard to keep their attention. At the same rate it's a great way to tie in history and give children an early appreciation of art.It may have been written for a young reader but the art used is definitely a reason as to why it may be suitable for maybe even a fifth grade reader. In the classroom one may choose to name all the artworks and highlight a specific artists or have the children do research on other similar styles. This book, written for counting, is otherwise a great teaching tool for the arts.
August 12, 2016
My son has just learned how to count to ten. Well, sort of, he is mostly just reciting the numbers from rote memorization and seems to have no concept of what they mean yet. At any rate, he is really into counting, so on our most recent trip to the library we picked out several counting books. This one is really cool. It features paintings or details of paintings from the Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection to illustrate each number.
I admired the different styles of paintings. My child was more interested in watching me point to and count the objects.
ETA August 2016: We've checked this out of the library again. My son is now 4.5 and can easily count all of the objects, but still enjoys doing it. My toddler enjoyed looking at the pictures this time, too.
I admired the different styles of paintings. My child was more interested in watching me point to and count the objects.
ETA August 2016: We've checked this out of the library again. My son is now 4.5 and can easily count all of the objects, but still enjoys doing it. My toddler enjoyed looking at the pictures this time, too.
September 30, 2018
I really wanted to like this book, but I realized that it was just too cluttered. A number is introduced and then the appropriate number of items/figures are shown in corresponding art work. I suppose that from the standpoint of counting objects it would be a way to introduce art to young children, but I think the way the four examples are grouped together without much delineation is distracting. I really tried but just gave up on this.
July 22, 2021
I enjoy introducing art to Elliot in bite-size pieces. I read Museum ABC to him several months ago and wanted to try this one out too. The art is very diverse, some of which doesn’t interest me (I’m a sucker for Impressionism, not medieval or other ancient art, which is plentiful in this one. Still, it was a good way to practice counting while staring at interesting art. Maybe we’ll revisit it when he’s a bit older.
* library book. Read at 22 months
* library book. Read at 22 months
April 30, 2025
This book was so well-done! Fun to count all the different objects and people in each work of art. A few of the artworks were a bit hard to decipher as far as what they wanted you to count, but it was overall great fun!
September 25, 2021
Count things found in artwork up to ten
August 22, 2014
With a simple concept and beautiful pictures of artwork from the museum, this is a fun book to read with children. I explained to our girls that I expected they would find the book to be a bit babyish, but that I wanted to read it for my picture book club and that I thought they might like the artwork.
I liked that five different images are shown for every number and each depicts the number in different ways. I also liked that different types and mediums of art are shown, from tapestries to photographs, from stained glass to a mask, from painted wood to woodblock prints, from lithographs to traditional oil on canvas paintings.
A few of the images (especially the smaller pictures) were a bit sketchy on what object was being used to represent the number. It was not difficult for our girls to figure it out, but younger children might be a bit confused. I liked that it gave us an opportunity to dissect the different parts of each picture and a way to discuss the content, without merely looking passively at the images.
Overall, we enjoyed getting a chance to see some artwork from the Metropolitan Museum of Art and discuss the different techniques, styles, and artists. Using the additional information in the back of the book, I quizzed the girls on the artists they've already studied, and talked briefly about some of the ones they haven't. Despite the 'counting book' format, we all really enjoyed reading this book together and I think it's a fantastic way to expose younger children to the world of art.
This book was selected as one of the books for the August 2014 - Counting discussion at the Picture-Book Club in the Children's Books Group here at Goodreads.
I liked that five different images are shown for every number and each depicts the number in different ways. I also liked that different types and mediums of art are shown, from tapestries to photographs, from stained glass to a mask, from painted wood to woodblock prints, from lithographs to traditional oil on canvas paintings.
A few of the images (especially the smaller pictures) were a bit sketchy on what object was being used to represent the number. It was not difficult for our girls to figure it out, but younger children might be a bit confused. I liked that it gave us an opportunity to dissect the different parts of each picture and a way to discuss the content, without merely looking passively at the images.
Overall, we enjoyed getting a chance to see some artwork from the Metropolitan Museum of Art and discuss the different techniques, styles, and artists. Using the additional information in the back of the book, I quizzed the girls on the artists they've already studied, and talked briefly about some of the ones they haven't. Despite the 'counting book' format, we all really enjoyed reading this book together and I think it's a fantastic way to expose younger children to the world of art.
This book was selected as one of the books for the August 2014 - Counting discussion at the Picture-Book Club in the Children's Books Group here at Goodreads.
April 18, 2012
In this simple and elegant counting book from the world's most renowned museum, numbers are introduced to children through masterpieces of art. Each number from one to ten has four pages devoted to it. First, readers are invited to search for how many of a certain object they can find in a single piece of art. Then, they turn the page to discover four different works illustrating that number. Information about each piece of art and its creator appear in the back of the book. While kids practice counting, adults will love the cultural richness and educational value of this tour through the Metropolitan Museum's collection, from Ancient Egyptian tomb paintings and tenth century Iranian art to the work of Vincent Van Gogh and Homer Winslow.
August 28, 2014
Excellent selection of artwork of many types, and from a wide variety of diverse artists. The book is arranged in double-page spreads. On the left side of the spread is a question about how many of some object is in the photograph of the artwork, and on the right side is the photo of the artwork. Turn the page, and on the left side there are four smaller photos of additional artworks somehow matching the same number. On the right side is the number, very large, and underneath that, the number is written out. On the end pages, readers learn the title, artist, type of artwork, medium, and owner of each piece of art.
June 16, 2009
This is another one of those children’s art books I love so. It isn't the best book to learn numbers but the numbers are both written out and in numberical form and the art is wonderful. There are 4 art works for each number. In the back of the book given are: artist, name of the painting/piece, country, year/circa, and materials used.
Each number corresponds with the contents of the four paintings (i.e. 2 = a picture of two dancing girls).
It’s a great introduction to art and reinforces the numbers 1-10.
Each number corresponds with the contents of the four paintings (i.e. 2 = a picture of two dancing girls).
It’s a great introduction to art and reinforces the numbers 1-10.
May 4, 2011
A counting picture book using items from The Metropolitan Museum of Art. I'm hoping that *one day* when Ellie and I make it there she'll already love the pictures and be excited that she recognizes some pieces.
June 13, 2011
enjoyed this a lot, but could somebody tell me what there are seven of in the painting of the three people on the lower left?
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews