Dean Griffiths

Family read-aloud party for the holiday weekend: Juneteenth, Father's Day, a birthday, and the solstice. (3 of 5)

A photographer and his dog visit Pablo Picasso, and the dachshund ends up staying with Picasso and becoming part of some of his paintings. I feel weird about a book where someone gives up their pet, especially to someone like Picasso, who is a #MeToo nightmare. I'm not one to cancel the work of artists due to how awful they were in person, but at the same time, I don't want to read about how Picasso was nice to dogs when he couldn't give women the same amount of respect.… (altro)

Take two parts ADORABLE, one part fiction, one part truth...mix well and the masterpiece you are about to meet is the end product. This is not simply a story about man's best friend but rather a journey that finds our lumpy boy in a new forever home better suited for all members of the family. The tie in to Picasso is all TRUE. Don't believe me? Check out some of his work, specifically his series of Las Meninas paintings; FIFTEEN of them feature the little pup.

So, in conclusion, an adorable story ripped right from the pages of history and presented in a tidy little paint splatters package of furry wonder for all to see. It will appeal to young readers right from the start with illustrations to adore (and really, who could say no to THAT little face?), while still giving older readers something to capture their interests and investigate after the tale has reached its end.

**review copy received in exchange for my honest review - full post can be seen on my site**… (altro)