The Mona Lisa Caper

Linda Ludke is a children’s librarian at the London Public Library.

This story is cleverly told from the famed painting’s point of view.
The Mona Lisa laments, “Hanging on a wall year after year is not as
easy as you might think.” In a witty, conversational tone, she
recounts her experiences of being kidnapped from the Louvre in 1911 by a
museum worker. She finds herself hidden under Vincenzo Peruggia’s bed
and then riding in the back seat of his car, headed toward Italy. While
she enjoys the adventure (“It was the first time I had been outside in
over a hundred years”), she also worries about disappointing her
public (“They missed me and I felt guilty for enjoying my freedom”).
As the Mona Lisa takes in her new surroundings, the sights and sounds
are vividly described, from the “Paris skyline with its twinkling
lights” to the “psssh of [their] tires on wet country roads.”

Fernandez and Jacobson’s realistic watercolour illustrations are
expressive and atmospheric. Hazy blue-purple tones lend an element of
mystery and intrigue. The portrait is often shown under wraps, with a
few corners exposed. Smaller pictures, such as four images of Peruggia
peeking around the corner and taking tentative steps, are artfully added
around the text.

Based on a true historical event, the story explains that Peruggia’s
motives were well-

intended, wanting only to return the Mona Lisa to her homeland. An
afterword provides more information on “The Men Who Loved Her,”
including details of Peruggia’s trial and background on Leonardo da
Vinci. An exquisite full-page reproduction of Mona Lisa is also
included. Highly recommended.