AND PICASSO PAINTED GUERNICA

This very sophisticated biography/art book introduces youngsters to the life of Pablo Picasso via his masterpiece Guernica, one of the most significant paintings of the 20th century. The huge mural was created in the white heat of anger and despair, both cri de coeur and call to action, and mourned the Spanish city that was nearly annihilated by Fascist bombing during the Spanish Civil War. The handsome book design echoes the palette Picasso employed for the painting (grays, whites and blacks) with a few touches of green and red. The book’s ample trim size (10 1/2” x 13 1/2”) assures a striking impact. Serres’ simple, declarative, almost poetic text weaves information and commentary together with speculation about Picasso's thinking about the event and his painting. The fascinating inclusion of many preparatory drawings that preceded Picasso's work on his seminal painting—which is displayed in an ample double gatefold—adds mightily to readers’ understanding of the creative process. A wealth of factual information is communicated in the book’s captions, but it's a shame there is no glossary. Impressive nevertheless. (Nonfiction. 9 & up)