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Picasso and the Greatest Show on Earth
A sweetly moving story about friendship and finding happiness, for readers who loved Wonder and Lenny's Book of Everything .
Frances is in a new house in a new neighbourhood and going to a new school, but no amount of new can make her forget the old, sad secret dragging at her heart. Not the pictures of bacteria that she draws with painstaking precision, not even Picasso, the puppy with the long soft ears and the cute black circle like a target on his bottom. Then Frances meets Kit, the tall, quiet boy with the two-coloured eyes. Kit is a real artist. His coloured pencils fill page after page of exercise books. He sees wonder in the rocks and ferns and sky. Though Kit has worries of his own.
But when secrets are spilled, Frances's life turns grey and drab. Not even Picasso's wet nose can brighten her up. Frances and Kit will need to face the truth of their pasts to find colour in their world again. After all, don't the most brilliant sunsets need a cloudy sky?
A beautiful novel about finding the remarkable in the ordinary and celebrating the wonder of every day, from the award-winning author of Borrowed Light .
'Marvellous, mind-opening, and deeply moving. The best book yet from this irresistible author.' Morris Gleitzman
'A beautifully written novel that encompasses such big things ... Frances, Kit and Picasso will stay with me for quite a while.' Karen Foxlee
'I loved this book with my whole heart. It's truly beautiful. And a gift to readers, young and old.' Maryam Master
'Push this into the hands of anyone who loved Storm Boy or Lenny's Book of Everything .' Books+Publishing
Frances is in a new house in a new neighbourhood and going to a new school, but no amount of new can make her forget the old, sad secret dragging at her heart. Not the pictures of bacteria that she draws with painstaking precision, not even Picasso, the puppy with the long soft ears and the cute black circle like a target on his bottom. Then Frances meets Kit, the tall, quiet boy with the two-coloured eyes. Kit is a real artist. His coloured pencils fill page after page of exercise books. He sees wonder in the rocks and ferns and sky. Though Kit has worries of his own.
But when secrets are spilled, Frances's life turns grey and drab. Not even Picasso's wet nose can brighten her up. Frances and Kit will need to face the truth of their pasts to find colour in their world again. After all, don't the most brilliant sunsets need a cloudy sky?
A beautiful novel about finding the remarkable in the ordinary and celebrating the wonder of every day, from the award-winning author of Borrowed Light .
'Marvellous, mind-opening, and deeply moving. The best book yet from this irresistible author.' Morris Gleitzman
'A beautifully written novel that encompasses such big things ... Frances, Kit and Picasso will stay with me for quite a while.' Karen Foxlee
'I loved this book with my whole heart. It's truly beautiful. And a gift to readers, young and old.' Maryam Master
'Push this into the hands of anyone who loved Storm Boy or Lenny's Book of Everything .' Books+Publishing
384 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 4, 2023
6 people are currently reading
104 people want to read
About the author
Anna Fienberg
112 books64 followersAnna Fienberg grew up in a house filled with books. Her mother was a teacher librarian who relished stories as much as chocolates. 'On Sunday mornings we'd all lie in bed with our books, lost in magical wardrobes, witches’ spells, genies’ magic… What we were going to read next was just as important in our family as what was for lunch!' says Anna.
Anna started writing stories when she was eight, but never imagined being an author. She studied psychology, fascinated by the dark world of dreams. She gave up counseling after an unfortunate incident with an enraged man and a chair (he missed!), began writing and scored the best job in the world. 'Working for School Magazine was a treat,' Anna says. 'I couldn't believe you could get paid for sitting back comfortably in your chair, cappuccino in hand, reading over a thousand books a year. Heaven!' Of course, as an editor she also had to write reviews and articles, stories and plays. One of those stories for School Magazine later became her first book.
Anna started writing stories when she was eight, but never imagined being an author. She studied psychology, fascinated by the dark world of dreams. She gave up counseling after an unfortunate incident with an enraged man and a chair (he missed!), began writing and scored the best job in the world. 'Working for School Magazine was a treat,' Anna says. 'I couldn't believe you could get paid for sitting back comfortably in your chair, cappuccino in hand, reading over a thousand books a year. Heaven!' Of course, as an editor she also had to write reviews and articles, stories and plays. One of those stories for School Magazine later became her first book.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
September 4, 2023
Picasso and the Greatest Show on Earth is a novel for middle-grade readers by award-winning Australian author, Anna Fienberg. Frances has only been in Oatfield a few weeks and isn’t looking forward to joining Year Seven at Oatfield High School halfway through the year. Dad’s away in Pakistan doing stories on vaccines; Mum is, understandably sad, and not just about Dad’s absence.
Frances has a new pup, Picasso, that Mum thinks will distract her from her obsession with health and infection: “You might think I’d be happy to have a new puppy. You deserve to have an owner who’s excited about you” but dogs seem to have a nose for smelly bad stuff: “Going walkies means having to watch this dog leap from one major health hazard to another” and nothing will help Frances forget her big guilty secret. So she walks Picasso and keeps drawing bacteria and viruses.
“I picked up a 4B pencil. I knew I’d feel better if I was drawing. Whatever I looked at travelled through my eyes and into my hand. Even if clouds turned into spirillum bacteria, it felt good to be rounding up reality and making it go in the direction I wanted, instead of reality rounding me up and yanking me somewhere I didn’t.”
When she does start the new term at school, she manages to embarrass herself, but not everyone thinks she’s weird: “I turned and saw a boy unfold himself like a deck chair, slow and easy. As he stood, he kept going up and up. He had a long thin face, sharp cheekbones as if cut from stone. But it was his eyes that I noticed. One green, one grey. They caught mine and creased at the corners with a half-smile”
Turns out Frances and Kit Jamison have their love of art in common, and soon they are spending time together, sharing techniques and the awe of their natural environment. But just as Frances doesn’t talk about her little brother, there are some things Kit won’t discuss: “I wanted to ask more but he was staring hard at his knuckles, drawing in his elbows as if he wanted to lock himself up like a suitcase, so I didn’t.” But she does wish he trusted her enough to talk.
Fienberg gives her readers a beautiful story that underlines the importance of communication and trust. It’s partly the absence of those that sees her main players plagued by shame, or fear, or guilt in its many incarnations. Quirky behaviours are the subject of stigma and bullying is sometimes the result. But there are also supportive people with wise words and good advice. And there’s Picasso, the dog with PTSD…
Fienberg’s descriptive prose is often gorgeous, be it about the Australian landscape, which the reader can practically hear, see and smell, or her wonderfully appealing characters, or the unique artworks, or feelings and emotions: “I didn’t know what to say. My guts were knotting. We both went back to holding the silence. It was so heavy. Unbearable. My arms ached to put it down. I wanted to count out the seconds, anything not to hear how quiet it had got.” Highly recommended!
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Allen & Unwin.
Frances has a new pup, Picasso, that Mum thinks will distract her from her obsession with health and infection: “You might think I’d be happy to have a new puppy. You deserve to have an owner who’s excited about you” but dogs seem to have a nose for smelly bad stuff: “Going walkies means having to watch this dog leap from one major health hazard to another” and nothing will help Frances forget her big guilty secret. So she walks Picasso and keeps drawing bacteria and viruses.
“I picked up a 4B pencil. I knew I’d feel better if I was drawing. Whatever I looked at travelled through my eyes and into my hand. Even if clouds turned into spirillum bacteria, it felt good to be rounding up reality and making it go in the direction I wanted, instead of reality rounding me up and yanking me somewhere I didn’t.”
When she does start the new term at school, she manages to embarrass herself, but not everyone thinks she’s weird: “I turned and saw a boy unfold himself like a deck chair, slow and easy. As he stood, he kept going up and up. He had a long thin face, sharp cheekbones as if cut from stone. But it was his eyes that I noticed. One green, one grey. They caught mine and creased at the corners with a half-smile”
Turns out Frances and Kit Jamison have their love of art in common, and soon they are spending time together, sharing techniques and the awe of their natural environment. But just as Frances doesn’t talk about her little brother, there are some things Kit won’t discuss: “I wanted to ask more but he was staring hard at his knuckles, drawing in his elbows as if he wanted to lock himself up like a suitcase, so I didn’t.” But she does wish he trusted her enough to talk.
Fienberg gives her readers a beautiful story that underlines the importance of communication and trust. It’s partly the absence of those that sees her main players plagued by shame, or fear, or guilt in its many incarnations. Quirky behaviours are the subject of stigma and bullying is sometimes the result. But there are also supportive people with wise words and good advice. And there’s Picasso, the dog with PTSD…
Fienberg’s descriptive prose is often gorgeous, be it about the Australian landscape, which the reader can practically hear, see and smell, or her wonderfully appealing characters, or the unique artworks, or feelings and emotions: “I didn’t know what to say. My guts were knotting. We both went back to holding the silence. It was so heavy. Unbearable. My arms ached to put it down. I wanted to count out the seconds, anything not to hear how quiet it had got.” Highly recommended!
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Allen & Unwin.
May 12, 2024
Reread for readers cup question writing.
I was caught up with Frances's lively and longing voice and then the day was done and the story finished. Quiet tears and soft laughs.
Just lovely.
I was caught up with Frances's lively and longing voice and then the day was done and the story finished. Quiet tears and soft laughs.
Just lovely.
February 13, 2024
the writing is to the standard of maybe a 11-15 age range but it is so lovely and touching. I loved the characters and their depth.
March 24, 2024
So many books that have me sobbing!
I resonated with Francis so much, just knowing everything about her subject, and with Kit's frustration. Book had me crying more than once.
CBCA 2024 - Notables list - Older Readers
I resonated with Francis so much, just knowing everything about her subject, and with Kit's frustration. Book had me crying more than once.
CBCA 2024 - Notables list - Older Readers
October 8, 2024
Beautifully written, introspective look at grief, longing, and secrets.
February 14, 2025
GRL BOOO :(
June 7, 2023
2023 Book 33 - Picasso and the Greatest Show on Earth by Anna Fienburg
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Release Date 4 July 2023, for children 10-14 yrs.
I received an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
What a cracker of a book.
I felt it all - the happy, the sad, the elated, the funny, the absolutely downright devastating, the fear and the rightness of the very end...
It's a tale of how the head can believe things to be true, the heart can show you otherwise, and what friendship truly means.
Frances has started a new life - a new town, a new house, a new school. Not a single person says hello to her and she takes up residence in the library, among the shelves of World War II to draw by herself. In the library she meets Kit - tall, lanky, the slightly less new "new kid". They forge an emerging friendship - even if it starts off as just having someone else there so they aren't sitting on their own.
Neither of them could predict just what they would need to reveal to each other to become who they were meant to be.
It's one of those books that needs to be read by adults and kids alike - there is so much in it for everyone. Not even a little ashamed to admit I cried! I wouldn't at all be surprised if it ended up a prescribed text for school - the writing is so lovely, it's wonderfully descriptive without telling you what to imagine. Frankie's heartbreak is so real - and you can feel her shed the layers of guilt, and learn how to be the best version of herself.
#books
#bookstagram
#picassoandthegreatestshowonearth
#annafienburg
#2023books
#netgalley
#allenandunwin
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Release Date 4 July 2023, for children 10-14 yrs.
I received an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
What a cracker of a book.
I felt it all - the happy, the sad, the elated, the funny, the absolutely downright devastating, the fear and the rightness of the very end...
It's a tale of how the head can believe things to be true, the heart can show you otherwise, and what friendship truly means.
Frances has started a new life - a new town, a new house, a new school. Not a single person says hello to her and she takes up residence in the library, among the shelves of World War II to draw by herself. In the library she meets Kit - tall, lanky, the slightly less new "new kid". They forge an emerging friendship - even if it starts off as just having someone else there so they aren't sitting on their own.
Neither of them could predict just what they would need to reveal to each other to become who they were meant to be.
It's one of those books that needs to be read by adults and kids alike - there is so much in it for everyone. Not even a little ashamed to admit I cried! I wouldn't at all be surprised if it ended up a prescribed text for school - the writing is so lovely, it's wonderfully descriptive without telling you what to imagine. Frankie's heartbreak is so real - and you can feel her shed the layers of guilt, and learn how to be the best version of herself.
#books
#bookstagram
#picassoandthegreatestshowonearth
#annafienburg
#2023books
#netgalley
#allenandunwin
January 17, 2024
A story of friendship, and allowing oneself to be truly vulnerable and honest with friends. I cried!
September 10, 2023
I picked this one up because it sounded like so many things I love were squeezed in. Reminiscent of The Goldfish Boy, with have an MC with a germ phobia and sadness in her heart that constantly makes her feel like she’s sinking. Her family are falling apart, and she’s got a dog to look after that feels like a massive responsibility she won’t live up to and everything she does is wrong. But then she makes some friends, and it seems a little easier to keep moving every day.
This is definitely one of those books where the characters need to use their words. So much is bottled up and it becomes this tangled web of unsaid things and tiptoeing around each other.
The characters are really well fleshed out, and I liked the setting too. It’s quite vivid and there’s some beautiful imagery in here. I did find it to be more of a character driven narrative; it’s like a day-to-day account of living with grief and moving on.
The bacteria obsession never really gets fully explained… there’s bits about germs leading to death and all the rest, but the death she has lived through wasn’t caused by bacteria. Surely she’d be worried about cars and buses and planes and all manner of things if it was just a phobia towards others dying. And I did find it strange the parents were talking about her and how she’s not getting better, yet they didn’t actively seek help for her (or themselves). Yes, this one is sad, but it needed to be. Cathartic crying for those characters. They needed to let it out.
This is definitely one of those books where the characters need to use their words. So much is bottled up and it becomes this tangled web of unsaid things and tiptoeing around each other.
The characters are really well fleshed out, and I liked the setting too. It’s quite vivid and there’s some beautiful imagery in here. I did find it to be more of a character driven narrative; it’s like a day-to-day account of living with grief and moving on.
The bacteria obsession never really gets fully explained… there’s bits about germs leading to death and all the rest, but the death she has lived through wasn’t caused by bacteria. Surely she’d be worried about cars and buses and planes and all manner of things if it was just a phobia towards others dying. And I did find it strange the parents were talking about her and how she’s not getting better, yet they didn’t actively seek help for her (or themselves). Yes, this one is sad, but it needed to be. Cathartic crying for those characters. They needed to let it out.
June 9, 2023
[ARC] 'Picasso And The Greatest Show On Earth' written by Anna Fienberg
Expected on: 4th July 2023
Notes:
● I should have done a cry counter because off the top of my head I think I almost cried twice and definitely cried atleast 4 times
● I grew attached to so many characters
Positives:
● Characters are described with precision
● The author gives out small bits of information, just enough to lure the reader in for more. It creates intrigue, making the reader want to keep reading
● The Chapter title font seems to match the protagonist. It's a small detail that doesn't occur often but counts for alot when it does
● Quotable
● Noticeable, steadily inclingly character development
● I love that the characters have a before and an after. A major life event where they can acknowledge a drastic change in their personality and behaviour.
● The descriptions of the settings change as the Frances character develops and her perception of her surroundings evolve
● It's realistic. The way some relationships grow close and other times become distant is very accurate.
● It felt familiar. Characters exploring the bush, the children talking and admiring. Friendly neighbours and a hard to understand neighbour. It was all so familiar, one of the best books I've read that's set in Australia.
Negatives:
● paragraph ending in the middle of a sentence
● Chapter titles sometimes squashed
Expected on: 4th July 2023
Notes:
● I should have done a cry counter because off the top of my head I think I almost cried twice and definitely cried atleast 4 times
● I grew attached to so many characters
Positives:
● Characters are described with precision
● The author gives out small bits of information, just enough to lure the reader in for more. It creates intrigue, making the reader want to keep reading
● The Chapter title font seems to match the protagonist. It's a small detail that doesn't occur often but counts for alot when it does
● Quotable
● Noticeable, steadily inclingly character development
● I love that the characters have a before and an after. A major life event where they can acknowledge a drastic change in their personality and behaviour.
● The descriptions of the settings change as the Frances character develops and her perception of her surroundings evolve
● It's realistic. The way some relationships grow close and other times become distant is very accurate.
● It felt familiar. Characters exploring the bush, the children talking and admiring. Friendly neighbours and a hard to understand neighbour. It was all so familiar, one of the best books I've read that's set in Australia.
Negatives:
● paragraph ending in the middle of a sentence
● Chapter titles sometimes squashed
July 4, 2024
A beautiful book. Frances is a character whose curiosity and exuberance for the world spills out on the page and into your heart. She loves finding out about everything and everyone. The way she asks question and seemed to find it hard to filter reminded me a bit of Anne of Green Gables and she was, like this character, very charming.
She also loved the natural world, she was so curious and interested in science and facts and this reminded me of myself. I love how she could find things interesting way past the time others did, when others' attention had wandered or they wanted to changed the subject.
When you're caught up in Frances' point of view, you really do see the greatest show on Earth.
Frances' journey isn't an easy one. She has a past to deal with and she meets a boy, Kit, who has a secret of his own and needs to come to terms with it, It's a story of friendship and acceptance. Then there's a joyful dog and the story of finding yourself through art. I loved the bit about how to make a star sparkle in the sky. This story had so much to love in it.
She also loved the natural world, she was so curious and interested in science and facts and this reminded me of myself. I love how she could find things interesting way past the time others did, when others' attention had wandered or they wanted to changed the subject.
When you're caught up in Frances' point of view, you really do see the greatest show on Earth.
Frances' journey isn't an easy one. She has a past to deal with and she meets a boy, Kit, who has a secret of his own and needs to come to terms with it, It's a story of friendship and acceptance. Then there's a joyful dog and the story of finding yourself through art. I loved the bit about how to make a star sparkle in the sky. This story had so much to love in it.
April 20, 2024
This book is wonderfully written, with fleshed out characters and beautiful descriptions. I also loved the 'realness' of Frances' family & the difficulties they were facing. Throughout this story we deal with the healing power of art, blossoming special friendships, unresolved (and unwarranted) guilt, the stigma of mental illness and, most clearly, the problems when people don't communicate.
However, I found the unremitting sadness of all the characters a bit overwhelming, especially when I think of my young students (Year 5-6). I think it is more suited to high school, and I would personally have aged Frances up a couple of years. She didn't read like a Year 7 student to me.
I would have liked a bit more light to go along with the shade, but this was still quality literature, and a good read.
However, I found the unremitting sadness of all the characters a bit overwhelming, especially when I think of my young students (Year 5-6). I think it is more suited to high school, and I would personally have aged Frances up a couple of years. She didn't read like a Year 7 student to me.
I would have liked a bit more light to go along with the shade, but this was still quality literature, and a good read.
January 27, 2025
Really solid, I agree with other reviews that it would be good for ages 11-16.
It was an easy read and I enjoyed the character development, the through line of art and the interesting and beautiful scenery descriptions.
《SPOILERS》
My only qualm/question for the author:
At the end of the book we get Frances admitting and apologizing to her parents about her brothers accident, she feels lighter and better because of it, she has learned the truth and communicating with her family will set her free, awesome. EXCEPT Picasso just also nearly drowned and she never mentions it to her parents?? what?
It was an easy read and I enjoyed the character development, the through line of art and the interesting and beautiful scenery descriptions.
《SPOILERS》
My only qualm/question for the author:
At the end of the book we get Frances admitting and apologizing to her parents about her brothers accident, she feels lighter and better because of it, she has learned the truth and communicating with her family will set her free, awesome. EXCEPT Picasso just also nearly drowned and she never mentions it to her parents?? what?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 12, 2023
Exceptional. I loved everything about this book and couldn't put it down.
I loved the robust characters, the pace, tone and storytelling. There was beautiful imagery and metaphor and sweet little threads that were dispersed throughout that would come back into the fold and paint those delicious aha moments, or greater depth and connectedness between the characters and the overarching narrative. A real heart story.
It was an intelligent read, thought-provoking and fresh in its delivery.
I loved the robust characters, the pace, tone and storytelling. There was beautiful imagery and metaphor and sweet little threads that were dispersed throughout that would come back into the fold and paint those delicious aha moments, or greater depth and connectedness between the characters and the overarching narrative. A real heart story.
It was an intelligent read, thought-provoking and fresh in its delivery.
July 28, 2024
A lovely coming of age story about two loners in a school. Frances is new to the school having just moved into the area while Kit seems to have chosen to be an outcast within the same school year. Slowly they become friends through their joint love of art. Frances learns more about techniques and to savour the image before drawing. But both struggle and keep their secrets to themselves.
July 17, 2025
Great writing. Great characterisation. Loved this YA. This exploration of grief resonates as authentic having just been to the funeral of a teen musician whose life was cut short and reliving the memories with his parents and brothers. For me it hit all the right emotive notes and such a sweet young romance; a composition of shadow and light that's gritty yet tender and gentle.
May 4, 2025
Enjoyed this book so much when i read it the first time that i had to read it again wishing i could read it for the first time once more.
February 22, 2024
3.5 stars.
Frances lived in a new house in a new neighbourhood and was going to a new school, but no amount of new could make her forget the old, sad secret dragging at her heart. She was fascinated with bacteria and Picasso, a puppy with the long soft ears. Then she met Kit at school, the tall, quiet boy with the two-coloured eyes who was a real artist. Frances and Kit would need to face the truth of their pasts to find colour in their world again.
Not gonna lie, I picked this up because of the cover. And the title. The ‘greatest show’ itself wasn’t really what I had expected.
The book covered heavy topics such as guilt, regret, grief, and growing up. Given this is a middle grade book, to be honest, it was a bit heavier than I thought. Having said that, I recognise the importance of covering these topics early on and giving the young readers language to identify and process their various emotions.
(Thanks to Allen & Unwin for a gifted copy in exchange for an honest review)
See my bookstagram review.
Frances lived in a new house in a new neighbourhood and was going to a new school, but no amount of new could make her forget the old, sad secret dragging at her heart. She was fascinated with bacteria and Picasso, a puppy with the long soft ears. Then she met Kit at school, the tall, quiet boy with the two-coloured eyes who was a real artist. Frances and Kit would need to face the truth of their pasts to find colour in their world again.
Not gonna lie, I picked this up because of the cover. And the title. The ‘greatest show’ itself wasn’t really what I had expected.
The book covered heavy topics such as guilt, regret, grief, and growing up. Given this is a middle grade book, to be honest, it was a bit heavier than I thought. Having said that, I recognise the importance of covering these topics early on and giving the young readers language to identify and process their various emotions.
(Thanks to Allen & Unwin for a gifted copy in exchange for an honest review)
See my bookstagram review.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews