Customer Reviews

Picasso and Minou

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Budding young artists and adults will be drawn to this touching story of Picasso. Set in Paris during Picasso's Blue Period when the artist struggled to sell his paintings, the tale is part fact, part fiction.

It's true that these paintings were deemed sad by many and did not sell. It's also true that Picasso lived in a garret in Montmarte where he took in a street cat he called Minou (French for kitty). The rest comes from the artist's imagination.

Our story opens with Picasso so poor that he cannot buy enough food for both Minou and himself. So he sadly returns Minou to the streets where the poor cat is booted from a restaurant and finds only stale bread in the trash.

Minou's luck changes when he wanders into a part of Montmarte that is new to him and finds people dressed in colorful clothes. To his amazement these people jumped, twirled, juggled and did all manner of wonderful tricks. Soon, a little girl found him and brought him a plate of bread and stew. Minou made short work of that, so she brought him a sausage. However, "Instead of eating the sausage, Minou held it in his mouth and ran toward Pablo's studio."

Of course, Picasso was delighted to have some food and also happy to see Minou. Eventually, Minou led the artist to the people who wore all colors of the rainbow and Picasso was so enchanted that he decided to paint them. He used colors of pink and rose, signaling the beginning of Picasso's Rose Period.

The author's note includes a photo of the young Picasso and Minou. Artist Pau Estrada prepared well for illustrating "Picasso and Minou" by visiting the Museu Picasso in Barcelona and the Musee National Picasso in Paris. Estrada's watercolor illustrations are rich with the colors Picasso used during his Blue and Rose periods, adding authenticity and vivacity to this charming story.

- Gail Cooke

Each image in this book is so rich. When I read it to my daughter, I always get sidetracked looking at all the detail and the amazing colors and the way the artist conveys so many different moods. I love the section in the back that talks about the paintings referenced in the book too.

This glorious debut book by a talented children's author is filled with stunning artwork. More than that, the delightful story (based on true events) is masterful and evocative. The story of a special relationship between Picasso and Minou, a street-wise and loving feline, touched and intrigued me as both a cat lover and art lover. BRAVO, and may this book be the first of many successful works!

--Amy D. Shojai, author 21 pet care books and a founder of the Cat Writers' Association

Picasso's growth as an artist reaches young readers through his beloved pet. The illustrations are beautiful, playful. The plot: A kind act changes Picasso's perspective; painful adversity is overcome. My child clamored for repeated readings, and was transported by its scenes of a French circus. You'll be proud to have it on your child's shelf; an irresistible intro to fine art.

Picasso and Minou is an amazing book that will capture the imaginations of both children and adults. The book, written by P.I. Maltbie, tells the story of how a poor, young Spanish artist named Pablo Picasso moved to the art section of Paris, Montmarte. In the beginning, Picasso painted bleak, dreary pictures which came to be known as his Blue Period. He had a resident art critic in his adopted cat, Minou, a stray he rescued off the streets of Paris.

Starving Picasso puts out his cat one day and asks it to fend for itself. The loyal cat returns with the gift of a sausage. Later, Picasso begins to paint more cheery pictures, and this period comes to be known as his Rose Period. Eventually, he begins to sell his paintings and the income allows him to experiment with a new style which came to be called Cubism.

The illustrations that accompany the story are delightful to behold. Illustrator Pau Estrada has done a commendable job of depicting Picasso's early artistic beginnings, and the palette of color chosen aptly shows the transformation in Picasso's life - from the grey and dark hues of his early, poor beginnings to the more vibrant hues associated with his gradual successes in being recognized as a serious artist. I especially appreciate the lovely reproductions of Picasso's paintings from his Blue and Rose Periods which are artfully weaved into the story. This is a wonderful book to inspire and share with budding young artists.

As a child care provider and artist I highly recommend this book. If you have small children who love animals and books, this is a story they will love and ask for over and over. If you have friends who are teachers, principles, child care providers, etc. you will need to buy more than one copy of this book. From the minute you open the book you realize the words compliment the art and the art returns the favor. The story of Picasso and his cat Minou is nothing less than enchanting, whismical, and an opportunity for children to enter into the world of art, and history.

My four-year-old daughter was fascinated by this story and wanted me to read it to her at least once a day while we had it from the library. I took the opportunity to check out a few other books of Picasso's art to show her that this was a story of someone real. The entree the book gave us into the world of Picasso's Blue Period was a genuinely enjoyable educational experience for her. It was a lot of fun to match the reproductions of Picasso's paintings with the pictures of the real thing in the books we brought home!

The story also opens possible discussion for other topics--poverty, artistic pursuits, caring and friendship. This is a rich and well-told story.

The stunning illustrations make this book a must-have for both children and adult art-lovers.

As a starving artist in his blue period, Pablo Picasso takes in a cat from the street, named Minou. Unable to sell many of his paintings, Picasso and Minou scrounge the streets for food. In a part of Montmartre, Minou discovers a circus caravan. The acrobats and performers give him food. Minou takes food back to Picasso and leads him to the circus caravan. Picasso starts painting some of his new friends, selling the artwork, as well as some of his blue period paintings, to the owner of a gallery. With the money from the paintings, Picasso and Minou move to a larger apartment. Picasso takes off in a new direction of painting. Minou meows contentedly with his owner's growing success. This picture book story brings the life and artwork of Pablo Picasso to the child reader, ages 5-8, revealing his hardships, as well as his success.