When Pigasso Met Mootisse

When Pigasso Met Mootisse is a wonderful parody detailing the rivalry, feuding and eventual friendship of artists Pablo Picasso and Henri Matisse. Nina Laden's creative and witty text, full of wordplay and puns, will have adults and children alike, laughing out loud and also offers the subtle lesson of acceptance and respect for others and their work. But, it's her bold, bright, busy and humorous illustrations that will mesmerize youngsters and older art lovers will enjoy finding the "pig" and "bull" representations of Picasso's and Matisse's best known works. The biographical afterword, discussing their lives, painting and relationship, will enhance the story and give children a better understanding of these two great artists. This is a marvelous, vivid picture book, perfect for kids 4-8; a hilarious story for the ears and a visual feast for the eyes.

"When Pigasso Met Mootisse" is a fun children's book that plays on the interesting relationship of Picasso and Matisse. Nina Laden depicts them as hilarious charactertures of a pig with cubist leanings and a bull who paints like "a wild beast". They escape the hectic art world and become neighbors, but end up feuding when they start criticizing one another's work. They eventually...I can't give away the whole story here. This bright and colorful children's book is visually charming and loaded with verbal and visual puns.

This picture book is a "moosterpiece" in itself, or a "pork of art!":) The playful illustrations in their bright contrasting colors and shapes have great kid appeal. It is a terrific selection to share with children as it highlights the life-long rules of respecting one another's differences and honoring companionship. It is a sure win with adults who also could benefit from a reminder of those rules and who will be chuckling aloud in between the clever puns. In addition art lovers of all ages will have so much fun discovering all of the silly representations of a few 20th century painters' greatest works. Laden really did an outstanding job capturing the contrasting styles of Picasso and Matisse. All of her little details really enhance the beauty of the book -- especially cute are the fly pages inside the cover with their collection of facial expressions of both painters.I highly recommend this book to library shelves everywhere and to every pair of hands, small and large, young and old! Truly outstanding!

My son and I LOVE reading this book...I get a kick out of the art history puns and the sophisticated content and he loves the pictures and the story of Pigasso and Mootisse (both of which he now says frequently). I highly recommend it and would say it's one of my favorites.

It is not often that one finds a book that is either visually charming or provides an elegant introduction to art history at an early learners level or teaches an eloquent moral lesson. To find a book that does all three is a gift.