PICASSO AND THE GREATEST SHOW IN EARTH BY ANNA FIENBERG

A dog called Picasso, a grieving girl and a boy with secrets of his own. Anna Fienberg’s latest novel is an exploration of relationships and finding the joy in the everyday.

 Frances has moved to a new house, is going to a new school and has a new puppy. Her dad is a journalist who is overseas working on a story in Pakistan and her mum is either working or avoiding her daughter. Frances feels alone and moving has not helped the family with their grief over the death of her little brother, Henry.

 When Frances meets Kit, she sees in him a true artistic talent and an acceptance of her and her obsession with bacteria. His quiet love of drawing and nature and the strength he gets from them, slowly help Frances to see the world differently. Kit, too, has his secrets, and as the book unfolds, readers are taken on a journey of heartache, friendship and the need to talk about our fears.

 Anna Fienberg’s characters all have flaws that at times can cripple them. But their willingness to embrace change and explore more than just their immediate lives, gives the book its joy. The themes of grief, guilt, isolation, family and the importance of sharing a burden are all explored here. This is a gentle, thoughtful novel that invites the reader to join its characters on a voyage that will change their lives.

For Ages: 10-14 years

Number of Pages: 384

Published: July 2023

Themes: Grief, family and friendship