Picasso and Minou FROM THE CRITICS
Publishers Weekly
In her debut children's book, Maltbie playfully imagines the impact that the famed artist's cat has on his work. As the book opens, Pablo Picasso, depicted by Estrada (Button Soup) as a boyish fellow, is in the midst of his Blue Period ("pictures of sad, blue people living in a cold, blue world"). Even the streets of Pablo's Montmartre unfold in gray-blue cobblestones and building exteriors. The artist's sole joy is his cat, Minou, a well-mannered feline concerned for his master's well-being. (" `So, Minou, what do you think of my latest masterpiece?' Pablo asked. Minou was too polite to let his friend know what he really thought, so he meowed.") No one buys Pablo's somber paintings, and he refuses to take the advice of artist friends who encourage him to "paint something that sells, something happy." Unable to feed them both, Pablo sends Minou away. Scrounging for food, the feline comes upon a troupe of brightly clad acrobats, dancers and a resplendent, juggling harlequin. The performers give Minou a sausage, which he takes to Pablo, who becomes curious about its source, leading him to an abundance of new subjects. Soon Pablo enters a successful period of painting, thanks to the ministrations of his feline friend and politest critic. Estrada's illustrations in ink, gouache and watercolor highlight the influences that shaped Picasso's life and art. The witty and loyal cat serves as a charming vehicle for introducing Picasso to aspiring artists and budding art lovers. Ages 4-9. (Feb.) Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.
School Library Journal
K-Gr 3-Minou was the name of Pablo Picasso's cat. An author's note and photograph help to confirm this detail, while spelling out the fictional and factual elements of this slice-of-life story from the artist's Blue and Rose Periods. The feline has finicky taste; he does not care for the somber, gaunt figures and the suffering conveyed in the artist's monochromatic palette during the early 20th century. When the paintings do not sell, the artist is forced to turn his companion loose to find his own food. The animal's quest leads to dinner and friends in the form of carnival performers, a device used by Maltbie to explain Picasso's new subject material and to segue into a fresh color scheme. The gouache, pencil, and watercolor scenes are skillful renderings of the young painter, a variety of canvases, and the characters and settings that inspired his work. Estrada's blue/gray filter on Picasso's Paris is evident without becoming oppressive. The harlequins and gymnasts are a welcome burst of climactic color until the denouement when Minou has another change to confront: Cubism. This effective introduction offers a historically accurate explanation regarding the Blue Period as well as an engaging story. Age-appropriate background on Picasso's life and artistic choices may be found in Kate Scarborough's well-illustrated Pablo Picasso (Watts, 2002).-Wendy Lukehart, Washington DC Public Library Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.
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