Vivid

After "Himmelstürmend", which introduced children to Frankfurt's skyline, and "Überspannend", which was about the city's bridges, Arne Winkelmann and Bettina Gebhardt devote their third architecture book for children to Frankfurt's colorful museum landscape. They have selected 19 examples from the 60 or so museums and exhibition halls, but they focus less on what the museums have to offer than on the special architecture of the buildings.

Whether Schirn, Städel, Goethehaus, Architekturmuseum, Historisches Museum or Museum für Kommunikation - the buildings are presented to young readers in a factual, yet always concise and easy-to-understand manner. The architectural style, architects and any special features - such as the house within a house in the Architecture Museum or the interplay between the museum building of the Museum of Applied Art and the Villa Metzler next door - are mentioned. A few illustrations and brief information about the respective museums themselves are also included on a double page each.

The book is guided by Ariadne and her panther. As a sculpture, they were the only exhibits in Frankfurt's first public museum building, the Odeon, which was home to a popular club until some time ago. Ariadne keeps revealing little secrets to the readers and asks a question on each double-page spread about what was on display. This allows children to test their knowledge right away, making the book not only informative but also playful.

Like its two predecessors, "Anschaulich" manages very well to introduce children to the special architectural landscape of the city of Frankfurt am Main. At the same time, the book makes children want to discover the museums, which often have special offers for children. For this there is again a deserved: Absolutely recommendable!

An article by Frankfurt-Tipp