A Museum Robbery by Tuula Pere is a fun little mystery starring two kids, Emma and Oliver, who find themselves tangled in a museum heist. Their school’s grumpy old museum caretaker, Mr. Oddyman, finally retires, making visits much more enjoyable. But just as they’re getting comfortable, the museum is robbed! The police are stumped. Weeks go by with no leads. Then, by sheer luck, Emma and Oliver uncover the surprising truth: Mr. Oddyman isn’t just a grump… he’s also a thief! Turns out, he’s been hiding the stolen treasures inside jam jars, waiting for the perfect moment to smuggle them away.

I read this one with my kids, and honestly, it’s got a great mix of humor, mystery, and just the right amount of suspense to keep them hooked. I loved how Emma and Oliver felt like real kids. They were curious, a little mischievous, and always on the lookout for adventure. The way they accidentally crack the case made us laugh. My son thought it was hilarious that a detective had been following Mr. Oddyman for weeks, only for a spilled jar of jam to solve everything. The book doesn’t try too hard to be overly clever, which I appreciated. It’s just a fun, straightforward mystery with a lighthearted tone.

I wish the story had a bit more buildup to the reveal. The moment Emma and Oliver figure things out happens so fast that it almost feels too easy. A little more sneaking around, maybe a few more red herrings, would have made the mystery even stronger. Still, the story kept us entertained, and the characters were fun to follow.

One thing that really stood out to me was the chalk art style throughout the book. The soft lines and textures made the scenes feel warm and inviting. But my favorite detail was the colored highlights in Emma’s hair. My daughter noticed it right away and loved it. They popped beautifully against the backgrounds, giving her a playful look.

If you’ve got kids who enjoy short, adventurous mysteries, this is a great pick. It’s light, easy to read, and full of fun moments. Young readers who like solving puzzles will enjoy playing detective alongside Emma and Oliver.

Pages: 34 | ISBN: 952820029X