(3) YA Odysseys in Artistry series. Compiled from primary sources, these artist biographies provide a wealth of information, including detailed descriptions about the subjects' lives and major works. Expansive "In His Words" concluding chapters contain the artists' own writings with contextualizing introductions. Exceptionally wide margins create a clean, straightforward format, and helpful captions accompany frequent full-page paintings and/or photographs. Timeline. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers the following Odysseys in Artistry titles: Vincent van Gogh, Frank Lloyd Wright, Pablo Picasso, and Michelangelo.

Reviewer: Jeannie Coutant

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Vanessa Hié. The Kingdom of Mirador lives in fear of a beast, encouraged by King Minus's propaganda: "one day it will come and devour your children." Three mysterious musicians arrive and help the villagers trade trepidation for fun. The storytelling is too abstract, though Hié's Picasso-inspired illustrations are appropriately so. A reproduction of the titular source painting and contextual and biographical information are appended.

Reviewer: Katrina Hedeen

(3) 1-3 Illustrated by François Place. Because his mother is ill, a young boy is sent to stay with relatives in the south of France (where his beloved Cézanne painted) and has a chance encounter with Picasso. This novella, illustrated with warm pencil and watercolor art, is a quiet, well-told story of a boy finding his voice in a strange but beautiful new environment.

Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth

(3) YA Illustrated by David Diaz. Free verse poems chronicle the dramatic life of modern art's pinnacle figure. Rather than glossing over Picasso's flaws--his womanizing, his self-absorption, etc.--they are Bernier-Grand's intriguing focus. The poetry is powerful but challenging, though extensive back matter clarifies biographical details. Diaz's acrylic, charcoal, and varnish illustrations are commanding; some reproductions of Picasso's most famous works are also included. Timeline. Bib., glos.

Reviewer: Katrina Hedeen

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Kevin Hawkes. Winter's energetic account focuses on the painter's unquenchable inventiveness, tracing his rise from prodigy through several controversial styles and from the furor over his African mask–inspired "Les Demoiselles d'Avignon" to his revolutionary cubist "Girl with a Mandolin." With his broad brush strokes and painterly art, Hawkes evokes Picasso's oeuvre without imitating it, an impressive achievement. A concluding note provides context but no sources.

Reviewer: Joanna Rudge Long | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2012

(3) 4-6 This book's author, son of surrealist artist parents, describes his boyhood memories of family friend Pablo Picasso; he did, in fact, bite Picasso while playing once--and the artist bit back. Highlights include reproductions of Picasso's artwork along with interesting tidbits and guiding questions about individual pieces ("Take a look at the mother's face. Can you see what Picasso used to make it?"). Glos.

Reviewer: Paula M. Cairo

(4) YA Great Artists & Their World series. This series contextualizes the artists’ works by placing them alongside those of their contemporaries and within their historical milieus. Features include "How Were They Made?" which explains media and techniques, and "What Do the Paintings Say?" which discusses symbolism and iconography. Cramped design, including small reproductions and teeny-tiny typeface, compromise the thoughtful texts. There are four other fall 2010 books in this series. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Great Artists & Their World titles: Cézanne, Degas, Gauguin, Manet, and Picasso.

Reviewer: Norah Piehl

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Marjorie Priceman. An off-stage narrator accompanies Gertrude Stein's talented friends throughout their day, leading to one of Stein's famous Saturday evening soirées. Swirling illustrations in gouache and ink capture the joie de vivre and energy of the Paris environs. Back matter presents biographical information about Gertrude Stein, Alice B. Toklas, Max Jacob, Guillaume Apollinaire, and Pablo Picasso. Beautifully done, but with questionable child-appeal.

Reviewer: Sheila M. Geraty

(3) 4-6 Fifth grader Bettina adores her new art teacher, Mr. Popart, who lets students draw on the walls and create controversial art pieces. However, some financially influential parents object to his alternative ways and demand his termination. Devastated, Bettina and her friends devise a plan to save their teacher. Quirky characters and lively fine-art-inspired black-and-white drawings enhance this creative tale.

Reviewer: Lana Barnes

(4) YA Eye on Art series. This survey venerates its subject, focusing on Picasso's reputation as "both the most prolific artist ever and the most influential artist of the twentieth century" in addition to his personal and professional rebelliousness. Covering major periods and themes, the book includes small reproductions of many of Picasso's works. Sidebars include information on artistic movements, Picasso's contemporaries, and his reception by the art establishment. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Norah Piehl

(4) PS Five Picasso sculptures are gradually revealed through a series of photographs. For each sculpture, three pictures show different parts; the fourth reveals the whole work. The captionlike text (the font is a little hard to read) offers guesses until the final image. Young viewers can gain an imaginative, if abstract, appreciation of the artist's compositions.

Reviewer: Paula M. Cairo

(4) 4-6 After her mother's death, fourteen-year-old Brigitte moves from Poland to Paris to live with her aunt and uncle and work in their Montmartre café. She quickly becomes involved with a network of circus performers, anarchists, and artists, including Pablo Picasso. The promise of suspense goes unfulfilled, but the story is historically intriguing, especially regarding Picasso's work and character.

Reviewer: Hannah Rodgers Barnaby

(4) K-3 Yo solo biografías series. Illustrated by Janice Lee Porter. Accessible narratives, including anecdotes chosen for their kid appeal, introduce these important (and classroom-friendly) historical figures to young Spanish-language readers. Although some of the illustrations have a static feel, their colorful warmth enhances the text. In each book, a brief afterword is accompanied by a photograph of the subject. Timeline. Review covers these Yo solo biografías titles: George Washington Carver, Pablo Picasso, and Wilma Rudolph.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz

(3) YA Great Hispanic Heritage series. These biographies of two of Spain's most famous artists are notable for the way McNeese incorporates information about the artists, thinkers, and movements of the twentieth century that influenced Dali and Picasso, in addition to describing their own lasting influence. Black-and-white and color photos plus some color reproductions (better in Picasso) whet the appetite for more visuals. Reading list, timeline, websites. Bib., ind. Review covers these Great Hispanic Heritage titles: Pablo Picasso and Salvador Dali.

Reviewer: Melinda Greenblatt

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Pau Estrada. This story stars Minou the cat, who brought home sausages to feed the starving artist (true, according to the author's note) and introduced him (the writer's creation) to the circus performers who peopled the paintings of Picasso's successful Rose Period. Incorporating Picasso's own paintings, Estrada's pencil, watercolor, and gouache illustrations are filled with lively details. No sources are provided.

Reviewer: Melinda Greenblatt

(4) 4-6 Famous Lives series. These informative biographies focus on the people, events, and artistic movements that shaped the two painters, but the books lack visual panache. Claybourne emphasizes van Gogh's relationship with his brother Theo, and Gogerly concentrates on Picasso's artistic innovations. Both volumes are generously illustrated with photos but are surprisingly thin on reproductions. Reading list, timeline. Glos., ind. Review covers these Famous Lives titles: Vincent van Gogh and Pablo Picasso.

Reviewer: Megan Lynn Isaac

(4) K-3 Raintree Biographies series. Plentiful reproductions of the work of each subject contribute to the cluttered design of the dryly written profiles. Each two-page section focuses on an aspect of the artist's life, and sidebars provide quotations from the artists themselves as well as cultural and artistic context. Although superficial, these books give readers a basic understanding of these pivotal figures. Timeline, reading list. Glos., ind. [Review covers these Raintree Biographies titles: Edward Hopper, Frank Lloyd Wright, Michelangelo, Pablo Picasso, Dorothea Lange, and Maya Lin.]

Reviewer: Norah Piehl

(4) 4-6 Introducing Painters series. Picasso provides basic biographical information, but its main focus is Picasso's development as artist and innovator. Photos and reproductions of his work illustrate thirteen sections. Michelangelo is less focused, veering from Michelangelo's work into modern fresco restoration techniques. Reproductions are included, but details of some are lost in the gutter. A timeline is appended. Ind. [Review covers these Introducing Painters titles: Introducing Picasso and Introducing Michelangelo.]

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(3) K-3 Smart about Art series. Presented as a fictional student report on an artist's life and work, each of these brief studies includes selected reproductions as well as "student"-drawn cartoons, family photos, and hand-written annotations. Although the goal here isn't research, these easy-to-read, lighthearted introductions may spark further study or serve as the blueprint for actual school projects. [Review covers these Smart about Art titles: Pablo Picasso and Mary Cassatt.]

Reviewer: Norah Piehl

(4) 4-6 Creative Lives series. The books in this series effectively relate the cultural relevance of these two subjects and don't shy away from depicting unflattering or controversial events in each artist's personal life. Sidebars provide relevant quotations and historical context. Ample photographs (and in Picasso, reproductions of paintings) enliven the text, but the busy page design is distracting. Each book includes a timeline. Bib., glos., ind. [Review covers these titles: Frank Lloyd Wright and Pablo Picasso.]

Reviewer: Kathleen Smith