Masterpiece (edition 2010)

I think this book has some pretty great messages for children about friendship, honesty, and being open to the world and all of its possibilites. I don't have much to say about it because I honestly didn't think it was that fantastic. I would recommend it for 8 or 9 year olds who like art and art history. ( )

story about a cockroach who can draw pictures that can emulate Albert Durer... and how this both helps and complicates the life of a sad boy... ( )

A beetle. A sweet boy. And Bellini, Durer, the Met, and art heists. Not a thing for the boy to dislike in this one. ( )

This book talks takes place in the art world, a rare setting for a childrens book. A young bug solves a mystery and thwarts a crime with a human boy partner. The bug discovers he has a talent for drawing just like Albrecht Durur.

Marvin is an amazing artist and suddenly a lot of attention is lavished on his art work. The thing is, he's a beetle! Marvin lives with his family under a sink in a New York City apartment. James, 11, leaves his pen and ink set out one day and Marvin goes to work. James ends up getting the credit. On thing leads to another and pretty soon they are in the middle of a staged art heist

Marvin lives with his family under the kitchen sink in the Pompadays’ apartment. He is very much a beetle. James Pompaday lives with his family in New York City. He is very much an eleven-year-old boy.After James gets a pen-and-ink set for his birthday, Marvin surprises him by creating an elaborate miniature drawing. James gets all the credit for the picture and before these unlikely friends know it they are caught up in a staged art heist at the Metropolitan Museum of Art that could help recover a famous drawing by Albrecht Durer. However, James can’t go through with the plan without Marvin’s help. ( )