"Winter resists the "good for you" air of some picture-book biographies in this dynamic reimagining of Picasso's rocket trip to the top of the 20th-century art world, while Hawkes is energized rather than intimidated by the challenge of painting the great painter.... By dramatizing Picasso's development rather than merely recounting it, Winter keeps readers fascinated, and by making Picasso a superhero--he bursts right through the canvas of a serene landscape on the second page--he dispels any notion of art as tired or irrelevant." -- Publishers Weekly, starred review

"Using an innovative and offbeat approach, Winter provides glimpses of the energy, enthusiasm, and dedication that ruled the artist's world. In covering his early years (his experimentation with style, perspective, and color were not always appreciated), the author delivers a pungent message to today's young artists: don't be discouraged if your creative efforts are criticized... Hawkes matches Winter's storytelling rhythm, supplying vitality and intensity to the spreads with colorful scenes of Paris, people of the time, and fascinating renditions of Picasso's own work. This book is a boon for art teachers and especially classroom teachers and librarians working to bring an artistic presence and sensibility into children's lives." -- School Library Journal, starred review