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"Picasso and Minou" P.I. Maltbie

Author:

P.I. Maltbie

Illustrator:

Pau Estrada

Publisher:

Charlesbridge 2005

Reviewed by:

John Warren Stewig, Carthage College

Using just a small part of the Spanish artist’s long life (1881-1973), this fictionalized account based on factual detail focuses on Picasso’s blue and rose periods (less than a decade out of his life). The solitary struggle of an aspiring artist is contrasted with the seemingly carefree life of the roaming circus performer. The cat Minou is the link between these two disparate groups.

The intensely colored art is by a fellow countryman of Picasso and the exaggerated facial expressions and gestures lend visual humor to the serious story. An author's note is appended. This fleeting biographical story could lead children into other, more extensive information books about the author. PABLO PICASSO from the "Lives of the Artists" series (World Almanac Library 2004) includes photo reproductions of many of Picasso's works, and is intended for a slightly older, middle school audience.