When Pigasso met Mootisse (original 1998; edition 1998)

This book tells the story of two artist Pigasso (Picasso) and Mootsie (Matisse). He tells how they became famous as artists and moved out to the country. They started to hate each others work and had a fight. They ended up becoming friends again and created a masterpiece on their fence. ( )

Summary: Pigasso and Mootise are really famous painters with their own unique styles. They end up moving out to the country because the fame is becoming too much and they just want to paint, and this is when they meet. At first, they are friendly, but then a rivalry begins and each attacks the art of the other. They each try to make their own art seem superior, and end up making a fence between their houses. But then they find that they miss each other do they reconcile and become great friends who respect the work of each other.
Genre Critique: This is an excellent example of fantasy, because while the characters are based on real life artists, the fact that they are talking, painting animals is completely unrealistic. However, the outstanding art and really fun, crazy story line make it so that the reader in no way focuses on the fact that it is not actually possible.
Style: I really enjoyed the authors use of play on words, changing artist names and art terms into words that related to the story, like "pork of art" instead of work of art. It made it a really enjoyable read that could start conversations in young children about art terminology and artists.
Media: Gouache ( )

Tired of being surrounded by fans, Pigasso and Mootisse move to a quieter place and become neighbors. The two artists at first are friendly to one another, but they soon become very competitve and critical of each other's work. By building a fence between their house, the pair learn that they miss the other and are able to accept one another becoming life long friends. This book is based off the true story about the famous artists Hemri Matisse and Pablo Picasso. ( )

This playful text explores the complex friendship of "Pigasso" and "Mootisse," based on the famous modern artists with similar names. Many of the details in the story are based on real events. (Mini biographies about each real artist appear in the back). Children will love the word play ("moosterpiece" and "work of heart") and the amazing, Picasso- and Matisse-like illustrations. This is a masterpiece from Nina Laden (author of my son's first favorite book, "Peek-a-Who"). This would be an excellent book to read with a nonfiction text about Picasso, Matisse, and/or modern art. ( )

This book is great example of a biography because it is another person telling about the friendship and relationship between the famous artists Picasso and Matisse. It gives details about their lives, how they paint, and about how their friendship developed over time.
Characters: The characters in this book are essential to the book because it is a story about them and how their friendship and relationship developed over time. Their conflict and eventual friendship makes this book what it is.