Mayhem at the Museum, by Hannah Brückner, Translated by Laura Watkinson, (Sept. 2025, NorthSouth Books), $19.95, ISBN: 9780735845855
Ages 4-8
Yuri is a kid enjoying a trip to the museum when mayhem strikes in the form of a parakeet that likes to fly around. Yuri is afraid of birds, and proceeds to knock down a giant brachiosaurus skeleton when he tries to get away! This is a definite catastrophe: “the kind of catastrophe that ALWAYS happens when ABSOLUTELY EVERYONE is looking” and sends Yuri into a panic attack. Luckily, he remembers to breathe in and out and that he can always ask for help – and he does! Everyone is happy to pitch in and the end result is nothing short of eye-catching. Brückner’s story about overcoming anxiety and asking for – and accepting – help is spot on and will resonate with readers. Her description of the feelings that hit when experiencing a personal catastrophe are spot on; Yuri’s body language communicates the emotions behind the words. The muted colors provide a calming effect in the middle of the storm of emotions and chaos. With a little imagination and some help, Mayhem shows that you can overcome just about anything. Download a free coloring page at NorthSouth’s website.
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