The Spy in the Museum: How Rose Valland Saved Art from the Nazis

by Erin McGuire, Erin McGuire (Illustrator)

Overview

This riveting, “visually stunning” (Kirkus Reviews, starred review) picture book biography tells the true story of Rose Valland’s valiant efforts to save thousands of works of art during World War II by becoming a spy in her own museum.

Rose Valland loved art. When the Nazis invaded Paris during World War II and took over her beloved museum, Rose could have fled. But who would save the artwork?

So, Rose remained and saw how she was underestimated by the soldiers for being a quiet, unassuming woman. She knew it was the time to act. And Rose had a secret weapon: she could speak German. She listened, kept track of all the stolen art, and saved what she could. Rose became a spy. And in the end, she saved thousands of works of art.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781534466173
Publisher:	Beach Lane Books
Publication date:	09/16/2025
Pages:	40
Product dimensions:	11.00(w) x 8.00(h) x 0.50(d)
Age Range:	6 - 10 Years

About the Author

Erin McGuire has illustrated many books for young readers, including Sleeping Beauty by Cynthia Rylant and her own The Spy in the Museum. She lives with her family near Raleigh, North Carolina, and you can visit her at EMcGuire.net.

Erin McGuire has illustrated many books for young readers, including Sleeping Beauty by Cynthia Rylant and her own The Spy in the Museum. She lives with her family near Raleigh, North Carolina, and you can visit her at EMcGuire.net.

Editorial Reviews

* A visually stunning account of a fearless woman and her fight against the Nazis’ war on art.

July 1st issue - Kirkus Starred Review

★ 2025-05-30
An unlikely spy sets out to save priceless stolen artwork from the Nazis.

Rose Valland, curator at Paris’ Jeu de Paume Museum, especially loves modern art for its departure from convention and expectation. To Adolf Hitler, however, modern art is “contaminated” and “degenerate.” As World War II spreads through Europe, Hitler helps to pay for his expensive war by stealing and selling valuable artwork. Upon arriving at Rose’s museum, soldiers order everyone out except for Rose, who stays on as manager. Little do they know that she secretly speaks German and listens in on their nefarious plans. Unwittingly, Rose becomes a spy. As the Nazis catalogue and hide their treasures, Rose documents the movements of every piece of art she can, passing information to the French Resistance and putting her own life in grave danger. Richly detailed, painterly illustrations highlight the gravity of Rose’s work and some of the lesser-known struggles and losses of World War II. Particularly outstanding spreads depict an intricately detailed museum facade, a glowing cityscape, and a haunting, swirling bonfire where works of art are tossed like kindling. An appended historical note discusses the theft of innumerable treasures also stolen from Jewish people during the war, in addition to those plundered from museums like Rose’s.

A visually stunning account of a fearless woman and her fight against the Nazis’ war on art. (sources, author’s note)(Picture-book biography. 6-8)

Kirkus Reviews