Pawcasso

by Remy Lai

Every Saturday, Pawcasso trots into town with a basket, a shopping list, and cash in paw to buy groceries for his family. One day, he passes eleven-year-old Jo, peering out the window of her house, bored and lonely. Astonished by the sight of an adorable basket-toting dog on his own, Jo follows Pawcasso, and when she’s seen alongside him by a group of kids from her school, they mistake her for Pawcasso’s owner.

Excited to make new friends, Jo reluctantly hides the truth and agrees to let “her” dog model for an art class the kids attend. What could go wrong? But what starts as a Chihuahua-sized lie quickly grows Great Dane-sized when animal control receives complaints about a dog roaming the streets off-leash. With Pawcasso’s freedom at stake, is Jo willing to spill the truth and risk her new friendships?

Genres: Graphic Novels, Middle Grade, Animals, Dogs, Friendship, Comics, Childrens

240 pages, Paperback

First published May 25, 2021

Reviews

[Remy Lai]

I'm the author and illustrator.

UPDATE #5: It's PAWCASSO's book birthday! Out you go into the world, my little book, my love letter to my dog. I hope you all like it.

UPDATE #4: We have a giveaway for educators! A class set of EIGHT copies of PAWCASSO. US only. Competition closes 5/24. Enter on Twitter (@Remy_Lai).

UPDATE #3: We have a US preorder campaign through a number of indies. You'll receive a super adoroable Pawcasso button and a signed Pawcasso-themed bookplate!
Participating indies:
Red Balloon Bookshop
Green Bean Books
Belmont Books
McLean and Eakin
Cover to Cover
Copperfield's Petaluma

UPDATE #2: Release date pushed to May 25th because of Suez Canal blockage.

UPDATE #1: I just received the color proofs, and they're so beautiful! Thanks to PAWCASSO's colorist Sam Bennett.

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Joanna Lin was eleven years old and bored. The holidays had just started and with both Mum and her little brothers annoying her, and Dad still away with work, she decided to go out – just to walk but she needed to get away from the house. But when she saw the dog, carrying a basket in his teeth, she was quite bemused. Jo followed the dog and from that day onwards, everyone thought she was the dog’s owner. Naming him Pawcasso (after their visit to art class at the library), Jo was soon surrounded by other kids – and it felt good. She just hoped her lies wouldn’t be exposed any time soon…

Pawcasso is a delightful graphic novel for kids by Aussie author Remy Lai and it was lots of fun. The antics of a special dog – even down to the rolling in poop – and the sadness of watching Jo trying to make friends beamed out with messages. I don’t often read graphic novels but Pawcasso was firstly about a dog (and who doesn’t love an animal tail (tale)) and secondly, it was easy to read with lots of warm fuzzies and ‘aww’ moments 😊 I will pass this one on to my 11 year old granddaughters who I know will love it. Highly recommended.

With thanks to Allen & Unwin AU for my copy to read in exchange for an honest review.

[Megi Bulla · Rating 4 out of 5]

In italiano: Pablo. L'arte dell'amicizia.

Una graphic novel tanto tenera quanto ideale per avvicinare i più piccoli alla lettura, attraverso vignette dalla grafica curatissima e dialoghi brevi, ma chiari.
Parla dell'amore per gli amici a quattro zampe e l'ho trovato davvero piacevole.

[CW ✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

My goodness, this was such a fun book. If you love dogs (heck, even if you don't like dogs), this graphic novel will certainly delight.

- Follows Jo, a lonely Chinese girl who one day, passing by her window, a dog sporting a basket who does grocery shopping! When Jo is mistaken as the dog's owner, her little innocent lie spirals into something so much more.
- Like Remy's previous books, this has so much heart and humour, and I found myself laughing out loud a few times!
- I love that this book blends themes of the importance of kindness, what it means to be a responsible dog-owner, friendship, community, and loneliness into one story. I loved how tender yet funny this book was.
- The art was gorgeous! It was such a delight to read and I just love how expressive Remy's art is.

Trigger/content warning: mention of pet death

I received a digital advanced reader's copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Rod Brown · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a sincere book filled with lessons and aspirations, and it should appeal to young dog lovers, but I just don't like stories wherein the protagonist gets caught up in a big lie and I have to spend the whole book just waiting for the truth to come out.

[Darla · Rating 4 out of 5]

To leash or not to leash. Jo is lonely and notices a dog walking around town with a basket and shopping money. She 'adopts' him while out and about and soon people think the dog is hers. When visiting an art class at a local bookstore, the dog becomes Pawcasso. Before long, there is a leash controversy. Should Pawcasso be out and about on his own. Is it safe? Are the folks advocating for the enforcement of leash laws really dog haters? When a petition goes viral Jo fears exposure of her non-ownership. When the truth comes out, she will have a mess to clean up. Can the community come together for the protection of their furry citizens? A powerful reminder of the need to listen to the other side in a controversy. Love and hate both come from the heart, Jo reminds us. This book has colorful artwork that is similar to the previous titles from Remy Lai. I prefer the narrative/graphics ratios from the previous two books. At times, the panels were too chaotic for my linear brain. Includes a recipe for ice cream that people can enjoy with their canine friends.

Thank you to Macmillan and NetGalley for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.

[Geoff · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very cute middle grade comic with some really interesting themes around civic connection, family ties, truth, and what animals mean to us. The main character was endearing and sees a lie snowball waaaaay out of hand, which had me cringing in sympathy at points. The art is really clean and lively (reminds me somehow of a mix of James Kolchalka and Lucy Kinsley?). Would make a great family read, which I'm planning to do this weekend!

**Thanks to the artist, publisher, and NetGalley for a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Reading_ Tamishly]

You will love the cute dog 😍💝

[Jeann (Happy Indulgence) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pawcasso is such a fun book with a cute dog at its heart! I loved seeing Jo befriend Pawcasso, the dog who carries a basket in their mouth and goes shopping. It is just so wholesome and adorable.

Jo is a Chinese girl who mistakenly becomes Pawcasso's owner, as they stumble upon an art class at the library. To her surprise, Pawcasso turns up every weekend! She struggles a lot with getting caught out in her lie and goes to lengths to try and find who Pawcasso's real owners are so she doesn't get found out. At the heart of this book is a beautiful story about making friends, being truthful and also about the joy of dogs.

I think dog lovers of all ages will enjoy this wonderfully illustrated graphic novel - it has a lot of heart, humour and the sense of community and belonging.

I received a review copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Check out Happy Indulgence Books for more reviews!

[Corey Campbell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Remy Lai is a pretty consistent voice in Middle Grade publishing, and I really enjoyed this foray into graphic fiction. Cute, heartwarming, and satisfyingly full circle. This book had a lot of heart and I just couldn't put it down.

[Cande · Rating 4 out of 5]

Remy Lai does it again! What a beautiful, heartfelt story. Check out my interview with the main character, Jo, on my blog


I was provided a review copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

[Brooklyn Tayla · Rating 5 out of 5]

So freaking cute. So wholesome! I can't! This one is just so adorable, but at times very poignant and aaah! It's just so cute and has a lot of heart! 😭🥺

More of a RTC.

[Kathie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED Remy Lai's first graphic novel. It's a story of a basket-carrying dog who goes shopping in the market by himself every Saturday morning. Jo decides to follow him one day and is mistaken for his owner. Jo is afraid to admit the truth because she's meeting new kids at the art club at the library and enjoying the attention, so she calls the dog Pawcasso and meets him every Saturday. But trouble brews when Pawcasso becomes famous, and the dog catcher threatens to send him to the pound without a leash. Jo's little fib turns into a gigantic disaster, and she's stuck figuring out how to clean up her mess.

[Kellie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Obviously, the dog was the best part of this book. However, I felt that Jo let the "charade" go on for way too long, and the "Picassos vs. Duchamps" thing was tedious.

[Christie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book, and then both promptly talked it up to a number of classes and added it to some lists of suggestions I was creating as well! Pawcasso is a graphic novel that has eye-catching illustrations and a story that not only makes you wonder, but also makes you feel for the characters. Just as the majority of store owners and townspeople perked up every time that adorable, smart dog came around, so does the reader. The book feels like it is inviting you in to its community. Absolutely appealing to readers of many ages!

[Michelle (FabBookReviews) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Acclaimed author and illustrator Remy Lai (Pie in the Sky) brings readers a beautifully layered story about the most loveable, incredibly talented dog in town, and a lonely (and wary of other kids!) eleven year old named Jo who accidentally- but maybe also on purpose!- lets other kids in town think that Pawcasso is hers.

[Miss_Cultura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Leído en español con el título de Guaucasso.
Una historia divertida, entrañable y que sucede en el verano de una ciudad en la que un perro se convierte en una estrella y Jo junto a este peludo encantador.
Próximamente mi opinión en la web.

[Hoover Public Library Kids and Teens · Rating 4 out of 5]

The creator of Pie in the Sky makes her middle-grade graphic novel debut about the unexpected friendship between the loneliest girl in class and the coolest canine shopper in town.

[Rory · Rating 4 out of 5]

Paw-some!

[Van Hoang · Rating 5 out of 5]

SO FRIGGIN' CUTE!

[Sara C · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this book! The storyline, the drawings, and the wholesome life lessons! Pawcasso is such a creative novel that will have you laughing, smiling, and maybe even getting emotional! ❤️

[Annie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such an adorable graphic novel that can be enjoyed by younger and older readers alike. Forgive the pun but it was so PAWSOME!! Who doesn’t like a dog that has the ability to go shopping with basket, shopping list and cash? Wonderful illustrations, a quick and fun read and an unlikely friendship between “hooman” and dog that captures your heart. It really is a cute read that will take you away from the pressure of the world for a few moments. With special thanks to Allen & Unwin Publishers for sending me a review copy of this wonderful book.

[Hwee Goh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pawcasso is a beautifully rendered graphic novel about a dog who goes out to run errands every Saturday with a basket and a shopping list.

As he goes by Jo’s home, she decides to follow him. When some friends at school mistake “Pawcasso” to be her dog, she continues to lead them on.

“What starts as a Chihuahua-sized lie quickly grows into a Great Dane-sized problem.” Pawcasso becomes the subject of an art-appreciation class at the library and has his own Internet fan club. Also, I hear that art imitates life when Jo calls Pawcasso a “poop roller” 🤭😆

Underlying this great, lively art and story, Remy Lai touches on Jo’s loneliness and desperate attempt not to miss her absent father so much, as well as the notion of love and hate within a middle grade tale. How easy is it to be divisive, but also how pure is a child’s view seen through Jo’s eyes in the end.

“If love comes from the heart, does hate come from the brain?”

I love graphic novels because they have a very unique way of conveying subtle reactions and emotions. I highly recommend this genre for all our young readers.

[Courtenay · Rating 3 out of 5]

I tried this one because I'm a huge fan of dog books. For some reason, however, I was really bothered by some of the illustrations -- the huge eyes of the little kids vs. slits or pinpricks of some of the other characters, the sweat on the protagonist's face as she dealt with the consequences of lie after lie... And the "paw" references in words throughout the book felt ... pretty cheesy is all I can come up with.

I know how much work goes into making a graphic novel like this, but I couldn't give it more than 2.5 stars. And since Goodreads doesn't allow halfsies, I'll be generous and give this a 3 although I'm not sure how many more Remy Lai books I'll try as I wasn't a fan of the last one I picked up, either. Meh...

[Amy Pickett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Joanna Lin is at loose ends over summer break, until an affectionate, spirited dog enters the picture. Every Saturday, “Pawcasso” journeys into town to do his unknown owner’s shopping with the help of a basket and a shopping list. Some of the neighborhood kids mistakenly get the idea that the dog belongs to Jo, and suddenly they are both the center of attention, especially during art class at the Dog Ears bookstore. Can she clear up the confusion without losing her newfound friends? 🐶 Read this sunny, charming, sometimes wistful graphic novel to find out! And stick around for the canine-friendly ice cream recipe at the end!

[raccoon reader · Rating 3 out of 5]

Eh.. I liked so much about this book but the character is such a liar that it was hard to like her. Everything working out for Jo in the end also seemed to say "hey kids! there's no consequences for big fat lies. Yeah your friends might be mad for a week but they'll get over it." I think I'm just turning into an uptight person who would yell at kids to get off her lawn and just kept thinking as my 8 year old and I read this book that I hope he doesn't get any ideas. This girl just lied her pants off and everyone was like "no biggie." Ugh. Not my fave book. The kiddo gave it 5 stars. I think the book still could have been good without all the lying.

[Mariely · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to the publisher for providing me an eARC in exchange of my honest review.

Besides the friendship between Jo and Pawcasso, we also get to see the struggles and development of family relationships, and kindness within the community. The illustrations are beautiful, colorful, and fun! You can read my full review at wereadblog.clom!

[Sera · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved so much about this sweet, colourful, and touching graphic novel! I liked how saturated/bright everything was and that the text was big enough. It made the whole reading experience a million times better and easy to digest. Anyone who likes art, books, and/or animals will have fun with this one.

[Trigger Warning Database]

Trigger & Content Warnings

Death of a pet recounted

[Megan Sanks · Rating 5 out of 5]

The second Jo went to follow a dog wandering a city by itself to see what it was up to, I WAS HOOKED. Sooooo good!