When Pigasso met Mootisse

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# 56 in the There’s a Book Read to Me Picture Book Challenge and a follow up to Monday’s post.

When Pigasso met Mootisse by Nina Laden

Whenever our classroom teachers used to come into the library asking for all the books we had on certain artists and art, I used to hide this book from them, keeping it back so that I would have the pleasure of sharing it with the kids when they came to library time.

This is a really whacky, colorful, masterful book about some creative conflict, which arises between two well-known, highly-strung artists. When Pigasso met Mootisse introduces young readers to these artistic genii in a hilarious encounter between a ‘painterly pig’ and an ‘artsy cow’. With some very acceptable artistic license, some classic canvasses are conveyed with porcine and bovine overtones instead of human ones! Picasso and Matisse’s unique styles are so clearly portrayed in their unusual and bold characteristics, that I am sure that if a child were to visit my local Picasso or Matisse art galleries, mentioned in my last post, they would recognize some of these masterpieces (moosterpieces).

The story spans the two artists’ meeting, friendship, escalating fame, rivalry and reconciliation, in a humorous, color-overloaded, word-play-filled book, that will enthrall all children, not just the artistic.

“Mootisse called Pigasso an Art Hog’. Then Pigasso called Mootisse a Mad Cow’.”

The artwork and text truly capture the spirit of artists at work and artists in their relationships. The renewed friendship and creativity that this provokes is a fitting end to the tale. The narrator will skip through this book with an animated group of kids and then have them beg for more. Now you know why I was so sneaky in wanting the pleasure all for myself.

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6 Responses to When Pigasso met Mootisse

  1. This book sounds delightful! What fun you must have had sharing it with the kids!

  2. Patricia Tilton says:

    You are sneaky — but can understand why. The play on words is delightful — Art Hog and Mad Cow among them. What a better way to introduce a group of children to the artwork of such important artists of our time. Enjoyed you review!
    Pat

    • Joanna says:

      I do love good word play and this book is full of very effective use of this literary technique to humorous effect.

  3. I HAVE SEEN THIS BOOK! Hahaha. Got really excited when I saw that you just featured this. I have a colleague who is very deeply into art and picture books and she has this in her book case. Naturally I was drawn to it and we had a good laugh reading it together. Beautiful, Joanna. =)

    • Joanna says:

      Whenever I read it to a group they would fight over who could take it to pour over during the rest of library time and who could be the first borrower. It really is awesome.

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