Lump the dachshund is content living with David in Italy. But he is not happy living with Big Dog, who hounds him day and night. Lump needs a holiday. So when David announces that he's off to the south of France to photograph a famous painter, Lump positively scrambles at the chance to ride along. At the villa, Pablo Picasso greets them and is enchanted with the little dog he calls Lumpito. The feeling is mutual; from that moment on, the two become soul mates. Lump loves David. But how can he show his master, and Picasso, that he is home at last?

Monica Kulling is the author of over forty books for children, including the popular Great Idea series, stories of inventors. The third book in the series, In the Bag! Margaret Knight Wraps It Up, was nominated for the 2012 Governor General’s Award for illustration and chosen as the 2012 Simon Wiesenthal Honor Book. In addition, Monica’s work has been nominated for numerous Silver Birch Express and Golden Oak awards. Her recent picture books include Lumpito and the Painter from Spain and Mister Dash and the Cupcake Calamity. Monica Kulling lives in Toronto, Canada. Visit her at www.monicakulling.com.

Monica Kulling's profile page

Dean Griffiths is a popular picture book artist with more than 25 titles to his name. His many awards include the Christie Harris Illustrated Children's Book Prize for Maggie Can't Wait and the Chocolate Lily Award for Ballerinas Don't Wear Glasses. Dean's 2012 title Lumpito and the Painter from Spain has been nominated for the SYRCA Shining Willow Award and was a Bank Street Best Book. His most recent book is When Emily Carr Met Woo. Dean lives in Duncan, British Columbia, with his daughter.

Dean Griffiths' profile page

• Short-listed, Bank Street Best Books of the Year for children and Young Adults
• Short-listed, Canadian Children's Book Centre Best Books for Kids & Teens
• Short-listed, Shining Willow Award, Saskatchewan

Solidly told without anthropomorphization, the straightforward text is elevated by Griffiths' panoramic double-page watercolors, which heartrendingly depict Lump as a hesitant, tentative animal just waiting for an excuse to become a happy, optimistic pet . . . [T]his is a successful, warmhearted outing.

Booklist

A great story, and charmingly depicted.

Resource Links

Kulling and Griffiths' picture book with its real life characters, picturesque setting and lovable main character should prove a popular read-aloud for the K to primary group . . . Recommended.

CM Magazine

Griffith's beautiful watercolors add to the richness and beauty of this tender and delightful story.

International Reading Association Reading Today Online

Griffiths' lighthearted paintings charm. In some, the little dachshund seems heroic, nearly life-sized - quite a feat when he is sharing a story about a painter who most agree was himself larger than life.

Kirkus

Simple and sweet . . . [Griffiths] perfectly captures Lump's spunky personality, the warm spirit of Picasso, and the special connection between artist and dog.

Quill & Quire

A memorable tale about the bond between man and dog . . . absolutely endearing.

Canadian Children's Book News

The illustrations cover most of the page and are filled with color and exuberance . . . The descriptive language would enhance ELA lessons, and art teachers could certainly find a place for the book in their curriculum.

School Library Journal

It's Picasso like you've never seen him before: through the eyes of a discontented dachshund . . . [A]n exceptionally heartwarming anecdote about the artist.

Publishers Weekly