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When Pigasso Met Mootisse



Last updated Monday, August 3, 2015

Author: Nina Laden
Date of Publication: 1998
ISBN: 0811811212
Grade Level: 3rd    (GLCs: Click here for grade level guidelines.)
Date(s) Used: Aug. 2015

Synopsis: When Pigasso met Mootisse, what begins as a neighborly overture escalates into a mess. Before you can say paint-by-numbers, the two artists become fierce rivals, calling each other names and ultimately building a fence between them. But when the two painters paint opposite sides of the fence that divides them, they unknowingly create a modern art masterpiece, and learn it is their friendship that is the true work of art.

Note to readers:
•  The story of Picasso and Matisse is located in the back of the book. They were rival painters who became friends, then enemies, and then friends again!
•  Henri Matisse: French, (31 December 1869 - 3 November 1954)
•  Pablo Picasso: Spanish (25 October 1881 - 8 April 1973)

Discussion topics for before reading:
•  Have you heard of the famous painters Pablo Picasso or Henri Matisse?
•  What animals do you think the characters are?
•  Can you see differences in how the pig and the cow are painted? (The pig is angular and the cow is painted in vibrant colors.)

Vocabulary

•  bold - confident, courageous, and able to take risks
•  coincidentally - something occurring or existing at the same time in a way that is not planned or expected
•  criticize - to point out flaws, mistakes or faults

Discussion topics for during/after reading:
•  Have you been to an art museum?
•  What are the differences in their style of paintings? Which do you like better?
•  Why was it important for Pigasso and Mootisse to get along?

Craft ideas:
•  Draw one of Picasso or Matisse's famous works using angular shapes for Pigasso and bright colors for Mootisse.
•  Color one of the provided Picasso and Matisse coloring pages.
•  Create a Picasso Cubism piece by creating a collage of cut out shapes using construction paper. See example: http://www.playtolearnpreschool.us/2014/10/preschool-picassos.html.

*Note: These craft ideas are just suggestions. You can use them, but you don't have to use them. You can expand upon them, or add your own twist. Remember, though, that the focus of your time should not be on the development and execution of a craft; the focus should be on the read-aloud and the enjoyment of the book!