Tuesday Storytime: Halloween Cats

I really love cats, and when I found that I had enough books (pulled to find a suitable candidate for the Edgar Allen Poe storytime) I decided that even though it was the day after Halloween, I'd do one last Halloween storytime featuring the best of the bunch.

I Am a Witch's Cat
Harriet Muncaster
ISBN: 9780062229144
Adorable girl-child in a cat costume in spreads of miniature-created doll-house like environments.

The setting and storyline seem very British to me, but that just adds to the charm.  A delightfully precocious narrator "witch cat" girl explains seriously why her mother is a witch, because of all the (totally mundane) activities that the girl has imagined into a more interesting reality.  The story progresses beautifully through mom's coven meeting (book club or coffee klatch) until the end, where we see mom soaring off on a broomstick.  Maybe the little girl was right after all?  DELIGHTFUL.

Black Cat Creeping
Teddy Slater, illustrated by Aaron Boyd
ISBN: 9781402719790
Cute little black kitten has no home, but he follows his nose (and some trick-or-treaters) and finds the best treat of all at the end of the road.

I love stories where sweet cute little animals get adopted at the end, but this is where I feel obligated to issue the public service warning to spay and neuter your pets, don't let them wander free (unless they're microchipped and collared) and to be careful with your own black cats and dogs around Halloween night so that bad things don't happen to helpless animals who rely on us for their entire lives.


Boo to You
Lois Ehlert
ISBN: 9781416986256
Ehlert's story isn't Halloween themed, but her signature cut-out and layered collages are certainly creepy enough to qualify.

Ehlert is always stunning.  Her collages are textural and layered and so interesting to look at.  This one is no different, but I have to say her grotesque cat even gives me pause.  That grimace on the cover - yow.  From a mouse's perspective, probably fairly accurate.  If a kid likes this story and have pretty good tolerance for mayhem, might I suggest a bedtime read of The Rescuers by Margary Sharp (yes, what the Disney movie was based on, and YES the book is a lot better, and nearly nothing like the movies at all).  If the kids like that one, there's about six more, all in the same vein of brave mice, scary cats and dogs, and suuuuper evil villains who don't actually do much on-screen.

2015 Review Round-Up: Juvenile Illustrated Fiction: The Story of Diva and Flea, Mo Willems & Tony DiTerlizzi

The Story of Diva and Flea
Mo Willems (Pigeon, Elephant and Piggie), illustrated by Tony DiTerlizzi (Spiderwick, Changeling)
ISBN: 9781484722848
Quirky illustrations and an almost Lemony-Snicketish narrative voice make this friendship story sing.

This is the most adorable book I've read all year and it's absolutely perfect.  Diva is a VERY small dog who lives with the caretaker of a set of Paris flats, and she's petrified of feet, but otherwise very brave and very clever.  She is pampered and spoilt and happy.  Flea is a lanky angular black cat, famous as a neighborhood flaneur (professional wanderer).  When Flea happens upon Diva's set of flats, a beautiful friendship develops as both these spectacular personalities learn new and exciting things from their very different friend.

Did I mention that this book is PERFECT?  It is.  It is beautiful and perfect and special and it is why the universe was created, and why books were invented.  Just for this story.  Go find it and see if I'm wrong.  I dare you.

Tuesday Storytime: Cats

A sweet trio of cat stories today.

Little Spotted Cat

Alyssa Satin Capucilli, illustrated by Dan Andreasen

ISBN: 0803726929

Soft-edged watercolors and a big-headed kitten - think a sedate Skippyjon.

"It's time for your nap, you Little Spotted Cat" says Mama Cat, but kitten has other plans, and creates chaos (as kittens are wont to do) through the yard before Mama finally physically intervenes and forces a general cleaning up of messes before naptime is enforced.  Sweet, repetitive, and adorable illustrations.

Have You Seen my Cat?

Eric Carle

ISBN: 22960000748425

Eric Carle's illustration style isn't amazingly served by this slight travelogue, but the cats are fun.

A boy goes through the world and asks various people (of various cultures, somewhat stereotypically presented) if they have seen his cat, and all respond with a cat of their geographical area.  We start with a bang with a lion in a zoo, then wander through bobcats and mountain lions and florida jaguars before crossing the ocean and getting into the serious wild-cats of the world, then end up with a persian on a blue rug before finally getting home to a collage of multi-colored house-cats.  I think the ending would have been better served by having a single individual cat as the finale, but even so, it's a fun short romp through cat varieties.

Cat Secrets

Jef Czekaj

ISBN: 22960000417930

A trio of computer-graphic-style cats questions whether the readers are cats, worthy of reading their Secret book.

I don't do interactive books very often, because this age-group is a little young for the concept to really work well.  The parents enjoy them immensely, so I do throw one in if I think the other qualities of the book can carry it for the little ones.  This one fits the bill perfectly.  The illustrations are punchy and the expressions are clear.  In addition to breaking the fourth wall, the book also asks for audience participation, so the kids can meow, purr, and stretch like cats, even if they don't quite understand why.  The sub-story (unmentioned by the dialogue) with the mouse is adorable, easy to point out and follow, and has a lovely payoff at the end.  I would love to do this with a group of kindies or 1st graders, but parents will have to do.  

A Street Cat Named Bob, James Bowen

A Street Cat Named Bob, James Bowen.
ISBN: 978-1250029461

Read November 13, 2013.

 

Nonfiction: Cat-lover and drug-recovery memoir.

 

A sweet, slight story about how Bob the cat adopted Mr Bowen and helped him make the transition from drug-addled street-bum to productive and responsible cat person.  The narrative voice was engaging, yet blunt about his own shortcomings, as well as those of others he encounters.  Bonus for ending BEFORE the cat dies, and for Mr Bowen's straighforwardness about the difficulties of getting his life back on track without becoming maudlin or bitter. 

 

I would have enjoyed seeing snapshots of Bob or the duo working their beat.