Cbr17bingo Arts (paintbrushes and an artist are the theme)
When I saw the title (via an online reader copy) My Friend the Paintbrush: The Colorful World of Marcus Pfister by Marcus Pfister and translated by David Henry Wilson, I figured it might be cute, but not overwhelmingly WOW. I did see it was due at the end of March/early April 2026 but still thought I’d read it “now” instead of putting it on my TBR list. And I am glad I did. While it might not be a pure five (as it takes a lot for me to feel 1000% a five as I am picky and can be a bit nitpicky) but it is really really close.
It is fun, creative and a fantastic way to encourage art. The focus on Marcus Pfister, an artist we are familiar with, adds to the fun and helps make it clever, relatable and understandable. We know their characters therefore we can see what the narrator is talking about when it comes to the artist’s friend or his paintbrush (and other tools) and how it is magical and can create amazing things.
The colors are popping, the details are busy and it is just a lot going on. But this does not make it less good. In fact, it adds to the creativity and the wonderful and (good) craziness. This is a book for all ages, though the younger listeners might not be as willing to sit and listen as there is not a lot of traditional action. But it can be adapted to fit your listener and/or reader. I cannot really do it justice and plan on a second (and perhaps even a third read) as there is just an emotional connection I had with it and know I missed a lot during the first reading.