Picasso and Minou by P.I. Maltbie

by P.I. Maltbie

Minou, el gato de Picasso, piensa que los cuadros azules de su amo son tristes y necesitan algo más de color para venderse. Pero parece que el artista no se da cuenta de ello… Por suerte, Minou conseguirá que Picasso salga de su melancolía y salte a la fama.
Las acuarelas de Pau Estrada, inspiradas en los períodos Azul y Rosa de Picasso, reviven los años 1900 en París, y dan vida a los personajes cercanos al artista.
* Una introducción al arte de Picasso, desde el período Azul hasta el Cubismo.
* Unas ilustraciones con profusión de detalles que encantarán a los niños y en la que los adultos podrán identificar el entorno de Picasso.

Genres: Art, Picture Books, Childrens, Historical Fiction, France, Cats, Animals

Hardcover

First published January 1, 2005

Reviews

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Las ilustraciones son preciosas, es un libro con mucho potencial para los niños.

[Jennifer B. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love the cat, still not convinced on Picasso, though.

[Norkett · Rating 3 out of 5]

. After reading childrens stories of Van Gogh and Monet, was interested in other artists/The story covered a short period of Picasso's life, which worked out well. It was a bit longer than the usual children's picture book but nice that it touched on two different periods of painting.

[Sandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet story and simple way to introduce Picasso to kids. Make sure to read the author's note in the back, as this book is an imaginative tale inspired by Picasso and his cat.

[Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute little story about Picasso in his Blue Period, his little cat and how he was coaxed out of it.

[Sonia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very cute children’s book about the blue and rose periods of Picasso’s life.

[Liz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read as part of our Picasso Unit study. Good illustrations. Helped a bit with learning more about the artist, but a large part of the story is fictional.

[Meredith]

ok read

[Samantha Leeper · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super cute and love that the story is based on Picasso's real cat. Added to my future kiddos library 🥰

[Deb (Readerbuzz) Nance · Rating 4 out of 5]

Picasso was not selling any of his art; he refused to paint anything except depressing blue pictures. He had to free his cat Minou because he could not afford to feed the cat. Minou returned with a sausage. This much is true. The author spins the story a bit to have Minou bring Picasso to some new friends who are leading happy lives, and this inspires Picasso to make some more cheerful paintings that do sell.

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Personal Response
- The story of Picasso and Minou provides a relatable outlook on a small part of Pablo Picasso's life for children of young age. Picasso went through a "Blue Period" where for a few years everything he painted had shades of blue and dark colors, and this book goes on to describe that particular period of his life. I love how this book is written because the plot does not stray far from the relationship between Picasso and his cat. Keeping this relationship concept in mind, it shows that the author understands the audience. The illustrations are lovely; some show the depressing aspect of life in the early 1900's while others show warmth and music amongst all the poverty that really existed during this time.

Purposes:
-Read aloud for kids in K-3rd grade.
-This story could be incorporated into a lesson about the history of Paris and Spain in the early 1900's. Children can observe the illustrations and describe particular aspects of the setting and life back then.
-This story can also be used in an art lesson. Picasso is one of the most well known artists and is proclaimed to this day as a genius when working with paint. Children can learn how to use different shades of one color and still make a clear image, for example.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I remember reading this book to preschoolers at Story-time at the library a few years ago. I had to edit a little bit because this is a long picture book, but the children were entranced by the sweet and clever cat.

Tonight I read this book to my young son at his bedtime. I had to edit a little bit again, but he, like the kids before him, were entranced by the sweet and clever cat.

It would be hard to go wrong with a book about an artist and a cat. Especially if the artist, who is grieving over the death of a friend and who is not selling any of his works, shares what little he does have with a cat that he rescued from the street. Even more especially if the cat, who is turned out when the food is gone, returns with a sausage to share with the artist. And if that part of the book is based on a true story, that is publishing gold.

The illustration are wonderful in their homage to Picasso's work.

[Penny McGill · Rating 5 out of 5]

We are never able to resist a story about an animal and an artist. This is our second favourite book about Picasso - being big fans of the story of PP and his delightful dachshund Lump - and we were thrilled to see he loved cats as pets as well.

This is a terrific way to introduce children to the artwork of Pablo Picasso and it takes the reader on a sweet little stroll through the streets of Paris. Pablo is going through a tough time with his art and through the story of a man and his cat, it's possible to see how wonderful it is to have a loyal friend. Loved this book and read it over and over. Minou, the cat, is added to the long list of books we love about cats.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Based on the true story of Picasso and his cat Minou (cat in French) that really did bring him a sausage. The story is lovely, including the blue, then rose periods, into the abstract. Illlustration give much to discuss, as in what pictures are represented in them and the background of the place and time.

[Ken Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Picasso and Minou was a great book. This is based on a true story, this picture book would be a perfect way to introduce children to some kind of art lesson. The kids would love his very special cat that helped him become an artist. Kids will be able to relate to this book especially if they have animals. I think the book would be very informational as well.

[Kelli Bratten · Rating 4 out of 5]

A new look at Picasso and can be made relatable to younger students while working on Picasso inspired art projects.

Can also be a read aloud during world war two when analyzing how the war changed his artwork. Students can do artwork.

[Paul · Rating 3 out of 5]

The narrative arc and the environments are beautiful. I found Estrada's style of human figures and faces distracting: Picasso appears to be more a boy than young man and some of the people (fellow artists, some circus performers) seem too cartoon-like.

[Cris · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent story about a specific part of Picasso's life, told from the point of view of what was Picasso's real cat. It deals with his Blue and Rose periods only but in a very accessible way. Excellent for Elementary.

[Anna Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic book to read to K-5 to begin an art discussion

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A semi-true story of the artist Pablo Picasso and his cat, Minou. VERY cute story with great illustrations. Perfect for teaching children a little art history!

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute story that comes from early in Picasso's career, based on a real incident with his kitty bringing the artist home a sausage to share. Introduces readers to his Blue Period and Rose Period.

[Vicki · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this story. A bit of truth to it. Picasso really did have a cat named Minou who brought him a sausage to share.

[Jennie Vosen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful picture book about Picasso and his cat. A fun way to learn about Picasso for both children and adults!

[Krista the Krazy Kataloguer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another painter and his cat.

[Yana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this to my daughter last night -- what a lovely introduction to his painting and life.