The kingdom of Mirador is terrified of a monstrous, fire-spewing beast that lurks just outside the village walls. No one has actually seen the creature except for the king, whose constant reminder of impending danger turns the village gloomy and joyless. One spring day a troupe of musicians and their dog enters the gates. Suddenly there is fun and romance, song and dance. The people are no longer afraid-until the loathsome beast does, in fact, appear. What happens next will delight children and adults alike as the magic of art and music transforms screams of terror into peals of laughter. Drawing on details of Pablo Picasso's masterpiece Three Musicians, artist Vanessa Hie uses brightly hued watercolours, bold lines, and graphic images to familiarize children with Picasso's style. The book closes with a reproduction of Picasso's original painting and an engaging lesson on the artist's use of images and symbols, his fascination with theatre and music, and his passionate pleas for peace in the wake of world war. AGES: 4 to 8 AUTHOR: Veronique Massenot is the author of numerous books for children, including 'The Great Wave' and 'Journey on a Cloud' (both Prestel). Vanessa Hie is an author and illustrator of children's books.