Review by Booklist Review
A guard at the Louvre for 50 years, Louis invites his friend Madame Martine and her dog, Max, to visit the museum. Madame Martine refuses on principle because dogs aren't allowed inside, but while they are walking nearby, Max pulls away and dashes through the employee entrance. Madame Martine and Louis quickly catch the runaway and hide in a broom closet as guards run past. Determined to show his friends the Louvre, Louis takes them past major works of art as they make their way out. This charming picture book takes viewers inside the Louvre for glimpses of paintings, statues, and the people who come to see them. Both the simply told story and the nicely composed illustrations use details sparingly and effectively. Wearing red coats, Madame Martine and Max are easy to spot in each scene. Their latest excursion provides a satisfying sequel for children who enjoyed Madame Martine (2014), in which Max runs up the Eiffel Tower.--Phelan, Carolyn Copyright 2015 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
In 2014's Madame Martine, the elderly Parisian woman avoided visiting the Eiffel Tower; now, it's the Louvre she steers clear of. "It's so crowded, and they don't allow dogs," she explains to her friend Louis, who works there. When Madame Martine's dog, Max, gets loose in the museum, Louis uses the opportunity to introduce her to the artwork on display, though Madame Martine is too nervous about breaking the rules to fully enjoy herself. Readers, however, have no reason not to soak up glimpses of the Mona Lisa and ancient statuary that Brannen includes in this warm, gentle adventure. Ages 4-7. Agent: Steven Chudney, Chudney Agency. (Sept.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review
K-Gr 2-With a view of the Eiffel Tower outside her window, it's clear that Madame Martine is a Parisian, though she has never visited the world famous Louvre. Her friend Louis, a museum guard, continually asks her to peruse the enchanting artwork and impressive monuments, though she always uses her dog as her excuse for not paying a visit. Madame inadvertently enters the Louvre when her dog dashes into the museum, and Louis takes this unexpected opportunity to offer a hurried tour. They are chased by the guards, and Madame only realizes their true intentions when they are finally caught. While Madame is initially preoccupied with the pooch in her purse, the Mona Lisa's beauty stuns her. The narrative demonstrates the relationship between owner and pooch. "Madame Martine and her dog, Max, lived in a tall, narrow apartment building in the city of Paris. They did everything together." Dialogue provides insight into the adults' personalities. The final scene shows a dramatic view from the skyline as Madame, Louis, and the pup embark on a hot air balloon ride, high above the city streets. Hazy backgrounds saturated in golds and blues highlight the warm glow within the museum's walls and the cool outdoor air. Madame's striking red coat accentuates her starring role throughout the museum grounds. VERDICT Madame Martine's latest offering provides a gentle glimpse into a magnificent cultural treasure.-Meg Smith, Cumberland County Public Library, Fayetteville, NC © Copyright 2015. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
In Madame Martine's second romp, the newly adventurous Parisian chases her beloved but unruly dog Max into the Louvre and finds herself viewing the art for the first time. Despite her anxiety at breaking the no-pets rule, Madame Martine delights in discovering the Mona Lisa's beauty. Soft illustrations offer a tour of the Louvre and provide Max and his owner with memorable personalities. (c) Copyright 2016. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
Following his adoption in Madame Martine (2014), Max the dog leads his owner on another chasethis time in the Louvre. It's another Saturdaythe day Madame Martine and Max venture out of their Paris apartment to explore. When Martine's friend Louis, a guard at the Louvre, meets her at the cafe and asks her to visit him, she makes excuses for never going: "It's so crowded, and they don't allow dogs." Louis goes off to work while Martine and Max ride the Mtro, getting off at the Palais Royale stop for a new adventure. When Max spots Louis near the Louvre's employee entrance, he scampers past and into the museum, with the two in pursuit. But their chase is short-lived, and suddenly Max is in Martine's arms. Readers primed for a lesson in art history with a dash of humor will be disappointed; Louis excitedly points out exquisite masterpieces, but Martine is decidedly uninterested, solely focused on leaving before Max is spotted. Only when Louis shows her the Mona Lisa does Martine pause to admire an artwork. The tension sputters, and the story ends on an anticlimactic note. As in Brannen's first Martine and Max story, the beautiful watercolor illustrations starring the inimitable Max are expressive and carefully renderedbut altogether different is Martine's reaction to her first experience visiting a Paris landmark. Lovely to look at but inartfully told. (Picture book. 4-7) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
