Book Description

Reviews (1)

Perfection / La perfección
What a delight to find a rhyming book that emerges from translation as captivating as the original! This lovely book with cut-paper illustrations has entranced children as young as two years old, who delight in imitating the bird sounds and following along to call out "tilín, tilín" as the cat's bell warns off the birds he wants so much to catch. I fell in love with the book in English, but I consider the Spanish version a hallmark of translation at its finest. No one with whom I have shared either version has escaped its spell.

¡Qué gozo encontrar un libro de rima que resulta de traducción tan capaz como el original de captivar al lector! Este libro hermoso de ilustraciones de papel picado ha encantado a niños de solo 2 años, quienes gozan imitar los sonidos de los pájaros y seguir a sonar "tilín, tilín" cada vez que el cascabel del gato avisa y corre los pájaros que el mismo desea tanto capturar. Me enamoré de este libro en inglés, pero yo considero que la versión española es un ejemplar perfecto de la mejor en traducción. Nadie con quien he repartido este libro -- en inglés o en español -- haya evitado resultar encantado. ... Read more

Book Description

Also from the creator of Hairy Maclary comes a new series starring a rascally cat named Slinky Malinki. What was he up to? At night, to be brief, Slinky Malinki turned into a THIEF. But by morning, Slinky comes to realize that crime doesn’t pay. ... Read more

Reviews (14)

Listen to the mother of a 3 y/o bookworm!
I don't understand why the SLJ critic panned this adorable book, either. My daughter, now 3 has had this story and now most of Lynley Dodd's stories read to her and she loves them. We got it in England for her when she was just 2 and she asked for it every night for a year. I love the cat, Slinky, as well as the other characters Dodd writes about (Hairy McClairy the dog and the neighborhood bully cat, Scar-face Claw). I love the stories and the illustrations but what matters most is my daughter, who isn't short of a few books, goes back again and again to these stories. They pass the kid test!

A Family Favorite
The reviewer who said a preschooler could not sit through this book has no children.All of Lynley Dodds' books are great.But Slinky Malinky is just outstanding among young children's literature.

Slinky Malinki
Obviously theSLJ reviewer knows little about children's books, particularly those written in verse. The tale is one of adventure for young children as they observe the antics of this sneaky, slinky feline. The author obviously well-knows the characteristics of a sneak thief cat and has captured them admirably. I know for I live with one! As a children's librarian in the public library I have used this title successfully in many storytimes over the years. Children love it. If they haven't been exposed to it, they are missing out.

A Fabulous Book!
I too, have no idea why the School Library Journal would write such a negative review. Please ignore theirs, and buy this book!My nephews own it, and while taking care of them, I fell in love with it, too.I now have it memorized (due to the repeated telling), and will recite it to them while we're driving in the car.The boys follow along, and enjoy the rhyms and the imagery.The older one of the boys has even picked up on the underlying theme; that taking another's property is wrong.A fabulous book!I highly recommend it!

Funny story & very good illustrations
I bought this book based upon all the 5-star reviews & was not disappointed w/ this one (so many bad books are given the highest reviews).Actually this is probably one of my favorite kids books I've seen.I'm getting more by this author. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Cool subject matter!
I bought this book for my daughter and she loved it! And I found an adult companion book on Amazon: "Chats de Venise" by Robert de Laroche, that I loved, but it turned out to be handy with her, because I could show her the pictures of the real cats in Venice, like Papa Piccolo and his "found" kittens!!

Rich in learning possibilities
The illustrations are very eye catching for young children. My5 yo child enjoyed learning about Italy. She was interested to learnmore about why a city would have streets of water. This book was a huge hit. We must have read this book at least six times the first week after getting it.

This book is a great springboard to learning possibilities such as cats, adoption, fatherhood, gondolas (boats), and Italy. The inside front cover has information to inhance the understanding of the book. Information given on Marco Polo, Venice, Italian words and phrases, and more.

I'm glad to have this book as part of our home library. ... Read more

Book Description

He lives with a nice young couple called Brickers who play with him, pet him, feed him treats, and always have a warm lap for him to sit in. Then a new baby joins the family Suddenly, the Brickers are sharing their laps and love with Charles William, and Socks is getting into trouble. He runs from a phantom dog, wrestles with Nana's best wig, and fights Old Taylor the tomcat for his territory. But as Charles William grows, Socks discovers that he has a new friend and a new way to be a part of the family.

A purr-fectly hilarious portrait of life with a baby from a cat's point of view.

Reviews (10)

Socks By Bevely Cleary
Socks is a cat who has a great family but than his family has a baby . So its all about how the cat acts and playes with the baby.Socks gets jealous of the new baby,but at the end you see how Socks acts with the baby as they get older.I thought this was one of Bevely Cleary's best books.This book is great for middle-school aged kids.This book made me laugh a lot and it inspired me to read more Bevely Cleary books.

Look Here for a Great Story
Socks
By: Beverly Cleary

Did you ever think you might have to share your parents? Well in this story it happened to a cat named Socks. Socks is used to getting all of the attention. When Charles Williams is born Socks gets mad and jealous towards Mr. and Mrs. Bricker.

I like this book because it's funny. I have to do the same thing when one of my brothers is sick, by sharing my parents.

The author taught us to think about sharing. Will Charles Williams and Socks ever get along? Socks learned that when another person is born you have to get used to it and get a grip.

Very funny book!
Imagine that you are a cat that is really jealous of your family. This book is called "Socks". I like this book because it is funny and cute. Socks is a tabby cat that is jealous and gets into trouble. Charles William is a cute and funny baby. The problem in the story is that Socks is jealous of Charles William because Charles William gets more attention than Socks. The solution is that Charles William and Socks become friends. Charles William was throwing cotton balls out of his crib and Socks was catching them and ripping them up. This was a game they had fun playing. I recommend this book to people who like cute books. I think you should read this book.

Great story!
Beverly Cleary must have owned cats before she wrote this book! I've owned this story for over 20 years, when I was expecting my first baby, I often reminded my husband that we should make sure our spoiled cat didn't feel left out like Socks did. Believe it or not, our cat Diablo actually did some of the things Socks did, including coming to get me when the baby cried too loud. We never tried to keep him away from the baby, though, and they eventually became buddies. Our 2 sons and 12 and 8 now, and I'm trying to introduce them to Henry Huggins and Ramona books.

Meow!
This may be my favorite Beverly Cleary book, which is saying a lot because I'm one huge fan of Henry and Ramona.

It takes a lot of creativity and perspective to write a book entirely from the point of view of a cat, and have it come across as real and touching, not as schlock.

Socks the book and Socks the cat are well worth reading again and again, especially the hilarious final chapter. ... Read more

Book Description

Pete's not afraid of anything. If there's a mystery to be solved, he's your cat. Pete is Alex's cat. And since Alex and his family moved into the new housing development, Pete is Alex's only friend, too. Things start looking up for Alex and Pete when Rocky, a boy Alex's age, moves in next door. But Rocky isn't very friendly, and Alex starts to suspect he's hiding something. And when the neighborhood is terrorized by a rash of fires and vandalism, Pete knows that he's got to investigate. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Intriguing mystery
Peg Kehret is such a good writer. Readers will empathize with Alex having to fit in to a new community. He wants and needs a friend so badly. The voice of Pete the cat is a nice touch. He is one savy, smart feline. In this book Kehret combines two things that kids love: mysteries and cats. This is a fun and exciting read. ... Read more

Book Description

This is my mat! The fat cat sat on the mat. "Get off!" said the rat. But the fat cat just sat. So the rat got his bat. Then the rat got his hat. Will the rat and the bat and the hat get the fat cat off the mat?

Reviews (7)

Bad behavior
I purchased this book because of the good reviews here, but I am afraid that I have to disagree with popular opinion. The characters in this story are rude, inconsiderate, and just plain do not get along. The story is about a cat and a rat who are pets of a witch. The rat seems to be portrayed as the favored pet and the book states that the rat hates the cat and the cat doesn't care. When the witch leaves, the cat leaves the vat and goes to sit on the mat, which is believed to be the rat's mat. The rat tells him to move (not politely at all) and when the cat does not move, the rat's friends (a bat and a hat) join the rat in bullying the cat to move. They also try to entice him off of the mat with a fish. The cat (beligerently) will not leave the mat until the witch comes home and asks the rat "what makes you think it is YOUR mat?" at which point the cat (arrogantly and victoriously) smiles and returns to the vat.

The words are simple and rhyme, the bulk of them fitting into the -at family, but the behaviors displayed in this story are just plain bad and there are no repercussions for them. We try to teach our children positive behaviors that support getting along with one another. I prefer that my children read examples of good behavior rather than behaviors that I would not want them to exhibit.

Excellent First Reader that Builds Confidence
This book is great for introducing reading to youngsters. There is a period when kids start to read when their frustration level is high because they don't know as many words on the page as they would like.

This book eases the entrance into book reading by use of rhyme and repeating phrases. All a child has to do is master the base word ("cat") and the many rhymes that are used are easy from that point.

My five year old pointed with great pride to the book after he had read it -- it has encouraged his efforts.

The Fat Cat sat on the Mat is great!
This book is so cute. My 5 year old just loved it as well as I enjoyed reading it with her. It is just right for the beginning reader. The story is longer than most beginning readers which allows the child to actually read the text as opposed to memorizing it.

Excellent First Book For Young Readers
Very clever wordplay and -- as many previous reviewers have noted -- young children will be able to memorize the rhymes and recite the book before they can actually read. Much to the delight of parents!

If your child likes this book, I would recommend "Down on the Funny Farm" by P.E.King as a follow-up. It was a natural transition for my three kids. The two books share a similar playfulness and humor, although I think "Down on the Funny Farm" has a little more staying power with the children. My youngest has been reading "Funny Farm" for over a year now and she still counts it as one of her favorites. Enjoy!

The first book my daughter tried to read
The book rhymes nicely yet is entertaining and humorous. My daughter tries (and succeeds) to recite the words as she flicks through the book and sees the pictures, yet she is only 2 1/2 years old. This is the first book she has read. ... Read more

Book Description

A little boy's cat is missing, and he embarks on a fantastic round-the-world quest to find his lost pet. Along the way, he meets lots of interesting people and sees many beautiful members of the cat family, including lions and tigers and panthers. But over and over again he has to say "This is not my cat!" until at last he finds the cat he's looking for -- who has a delightful surprise for him.

Eric Carle's simple, repetitive text and distinctive cut-paper illustrations make this modern classic a book to treasure. ... Read more

Reviews (19)

That's not MY cat -- but it IS my book!
Ok, so I'm getting closer to 30 than I am to 3, but as a lifetime lover of Eric Carle books and a die-hard cat person, I loved this book. I first encountered it in an undergraduate children's lit. class during my senior year in college. From there, I took the book home to my roommates (two guys and another gal) and it became a permanent resident on the coffee table!

It was great to pick up after a long day -- even just to look at Carle's whimsical art work. But, more importantly, the memorable line "that's not MY cat," became the motto of our household. It didn't matter if the subject was a mismatched sock or an extra plate of leftovers in the fridge -- my roommates would jubilantly yell out "that's not MY cat!"

Have You Seen My Cat is a great book for the kid in all of us -- even if you don't have a special child to read to, I highly recommend this book.

My son just loves this book
This book can be a lot of fun to read with your toddler if you "improvise". When my 3 year old and I read it together, I always add words describing what we see on the pages. For instance, there is a Mexican Cowboy on one page and we say "Mr. Cabalero, Have you seen my cat?" and on the next page, we say "This is not my cat....this is a jaguar" So it becomes a learning experience and lots of fun for both of us. I highly recommend any of the Eric Carle books.

Not the Usual Eric Carle
This book misses the mark. Here's all the words in the book "Have you seen my cat", "this is not my cat", "this is my cat". While I agree repetition is good, the fact that there are no OTHER words to describe the different scenes in the book is a huge annoyance and my 18mos daughter seems bored with it too.

One reviewer wrote that they add to the phrase "this is not my cat" the type of cat they see. Well, I think that's exactly what Eric Carle should have done and didn't: "this is a bobacat. this is not my cat". That way, children learn different animal names, but still get repetition of language. Honestly, some of the pictures are a little hard to distinguish...I doubt a toddler figure out the difference between a cheetah and a panther without some type of indication in the book.

Here's my suggestion: take the 3 phrases listed above and come up with your own story and skip buying the book. Spend your money on "The Hungry Caterpillar".

Great book for cat lovers of all ages
My son, husband and I first checked a copy out from the library and we read at least a dozen times a day. When it was time to turn the book back in we had to find a copy for ourselves. Our son is absolutely cat crazy and he loves the illustrations in this book. They're so lively and beautiful.

Out of hundreds of books, this is my child's favorite!!
This is one of the most engaging childrens' books I've ever read! I checked it out of the library for my 2 year old daughter and I am here to buy it for her. She wants to read it several times a day! We like to add to it by saying, "Mr. Cowboy, have YOU seen my cat? That's not my cat..that's a BOBCAT!" My daughter squeals in laughter and it is teaching her animals and different types of people as well. I highly recommend it...along with ALL of Eric Carle's books. You can't go wrong. ... Read more

Book Description

Why does a cat walk on its toes?Which wild cats dive to huntfish?What breed of cat has no hair?The answers to these questionsand many more are packed within the pages of Pockets: Cats. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Purrrrrrrrrrrrrrfect!
Very informative and excellent book. Lots of colorful illustrations and photos. Pictures of adorable cats and kittens. An in depth list of all the major pedigree and non-pedigree breeds. Instructions as to how to care for your cat or kitten and how to decipher cat behavior etc. Cat lovers should buy this book! ... Read more

Amazon.com

Condense The Incredible Journey to its purest essence then add the most exquisite, vividly painted illustrations, and there you have The Cat Who Walked Across France.

A cat lives contentedly for many years in a seaside village, until his old mistress dies and he is shipped off to another town far away. Lonely and ignored, the gray kitty sets off on an odyssey, lured by memories of "the tangy smell of lemons ripening on a branch under a window at the stone house by the edge of the sea," and driven by "the taste of the salty air that blew off the water and coated the bench behind the stone house by the edge of the sea." Returning finally to his home seaport, the paw-sore old cat finds the door to his stone house still open and inviting. Readers will be pleased (and not surprised) to learn that the new residents welcome the brave and determined fellow with open arms and dishes of food.

Kate Banks and Georg Hallensleben, who have teamed up on several gorgeous and award-winning picture books, including Close Your Eyes, are a creative match made in heaven. Lovely! (Ages 5 and older) --Emilie Coulter ... Read more

Reviews (2)

A TOUCHING STORY OF PERSEVERANCE
Who says you can't go home again? Especially when home is a refuge of familiarity, comfort and love.

For many years a cat lived with an old woman in a stone house in France. Their house was by the sea so the cat well knew and loved the smell of salt air. At night the cat would curl in the woman's arms and she would pet him.

One day the woman died and all her belongings, along with the cat, were packed and shipped north to the place where she was born. However, there was no one to care for the cat. He wandered the streets meowing for food and running from predatory dogs.

Enough of this! He decided to go home. Could a cat possibly walk all the way across France to find the home for which he yearned?

Suggested for children ages 4 - 8 this is a touching story of perseverance and the comfort of home.

- Gail Cooke

Educators Recommend
"For many years the cat had lived in the stone house by the edge of the sea . . . He chased the wind that scuttled through the garden . . . At dusk he curled up in the bend of the old woman's arm" and she scratched his ears and stroked his back. "Good kitty," she tells him, "good kitty."

When the woman dies, her belongings, along with cat, are shipped north to her childhood home. With no one there to love him, the cat decides to leave. He roams the French countryside, sleeping in barns, hunting field mice, and dodging dogs and cars in bustling, big cities. His journey takes him past the Eiffel Tower, over bridges, around castles and ruins, through storms, and into occasional danger.

Time passes. "His fur grew scruffy. Now and again he would stop to linger on a grassy bank or in the cool shade of an ancient wall." Always though he pushed on, dreaming of the stone house by the edge of the sea.

"Thin and frail" the cat finally makes his way home. As he walks up to the door of the stone house, he finds it wide open. Soon he is curled into a small ball, asleep on a couch. When he awakens he finds a boy and girl standing over him. They offer him a platter of food, fresh water, and, satisfyingly, a home.

A map of France on the book's back cover shows the cat's zigzag journey from Rouen in the north to St. Tropez in the south.

Hallensleben's paintings are lushly textured with bold, big, colorful brush strokes.

Excellent as a read aloud.

Reviewed by the Education Oasis Staff. ... Read more

Book Description

Pickles is a young cat with big paws and big plans. But all he can find to do is chase other cats, until he is adopted by the local firehouse.

Knowing that this is his chance to do big things, Pickles works hard to be a good fire cat. He learns to jump on a fire truck. He learns to help put out a fire, and he even helps out in a rescue!

Beginning readers will cheer when Pickle's dream finally comes true. ... Read more

Reviews (13)

One of THE classic early reader books
This is the first book I can clearly recall reading on my own (I'm 39). My Dad used to read it to me, and one day I read it to him. I remember him proudly calling my Mom into the room to hear me read it from cover to cover. I recently discovered a copy at the "used books for sale" section of my library, and excitedly rushed home to read it to my five year old. He loves it. This is a conceptually brilliant book for children. This is a great book for several reasons. First, it teaches the virtues of kindness and hard work. Second, it has superbly crafted simple sentence construction, and it's written to facilitate early reading by using word and concept repetition. Third, it has great illustrations and easy-to-read type. It also has three chapters, which was a new concept for my son.

This is one of the all time great early reader books. If there is an early reader in you life, get it for him or her!

A keeper!
My not quite 3 year old son discovered this book in the preschool library and ADORES it. This year his birthday party is at a fire station, and although they probably won't have a fire cat there, he will have one at home forever more when he opens the gift of his very own copy of Fire Cat.

Unlike other reviewers, I never heard of this book and at first thought it was kind of boring..as I read and reread it to my son, I discovered the beauty in the story and understand why he is so taken with it!

It will be wonderful to keep this in his permanent library and remind him of it someday when he has a child of his own!

Surprisingly charming
I had a most unusual experience recently with this book. I was browsing at a local children's bookstore (sorry, Amazon!) when I saw this book on the shelf. A thrill of recognition shot through me like a bolt of lightning! This book had been one of my favorites (...).

I immediately purchased it, and read it to my kids. Have you ever had fond memories of something from your childhood, but found out when you revisited it as an adult that it didn't hold up over the years? Luckily, that is NOT the case with The Fire Cat--this book is every bit as wonderful today as it was 40 years ago.

The illustrations deserve comment. Esther Averill was amazingly deft in her illustrations of cats; anyone who has owned a cat will appreciate the subtle perfection of the way she captures the poses of the cat in various situations. Yet her illustrations of the people and objects in the story are pretty crude. They don't have the obvious charm of Maurice Sendak's work, or the zany energy of Dr. Seuss. But I assure you the illustrations will captivate any young reader as the perfect companions for the text.

And what a text! It is elegant and beautifully structured, yet it's so simple and straightforward that any preschooler can easily follow along. Pickles, the main character, starts off as a bit of a bully, but by the end he has completely redeemed himself and is a hero. I especially like that the good things that happen to Pickles don't just happen by chance, as they do in so many other children's stories--Pickles actually works hard to better himself.

This book is truly a classic. If your budget permits, spring for the library binding. I guarantee that if you get it for your kids, they will someday be reading it to their own kids!

My childhood depended on it!
I had a flashback to this book the other day. Who could forget Pickles the cat with big paws and big things to do... I bought it and read it to my niece and nephew. JOY!

Adding to the chorus of praise
This is one of my top childhood favorites as well. I purchased a newer copy for my son, but have saved my own copy because the memories are so fond. It's not just for cat people, either. ... Read more

Book Description

A story for children of all ages, Nicky The Jazz Cat teaches young people about the joy of jazz, the importance of friends and mentors and the power of imagination and originality. When Nicky is just a tiny kitten, he meets Roy, a great trumpet player who takes him under his wing. Roy teaches Nicky how to play and word travels fast--soon all the jazz greats hear about this jazz cat and want to play with him. The book is illustrated with wonderful photographs of Nicky and jazz legends Roy Eldridge, Quincy Jones, Lena Horne, Gerry Mulligan, Abbey Lincoln and Lionel Hampton as they meet and make friends. The brightly colored graphics and rhyming text--call and response conversations between Nicky and his musician friends--reflect the humor, rhythm and spirit of jazz itself. Children and adults alike will delight in this cool cat's journey from curious jazz kitten to acclaimed jazz cat. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Diz Kool Kat gits around!
A wonderful photo-filled rhyme story of this lucky cat Nicky and his cast of jazz music's greatest performers. I bought the book and CD, "Nicky's jazz for Kids" for my two young sons. They loved reading/singing the story and then they jammed along with the CD on their own instruments. This is a great opportunity for parents to get their kids turned onto jazz before they take them to see Wynton Marsalis at Lincoln Center. It really helps Jazz to be fun for kids to enjoy!

Wow! Such a Great Idea for a Book
Nicky is a cat-- a fashionably all-black feline. In this book he's rhyming his way through encounters with several jazz musicians. The text is fun, the book is beautiful, and the pictures are very, very cool. The Lena Horne shot is my favorite-- she is gazing elegantly down at Nicky. The author has had a lifetime career of photographing Jazz musicians, and the Nicky pictures are my favorite. If only I can keep the baby from drooling on it until he's big enough to appreciate it! ... Read more

Reviews (9)

You will love reading this book and savoring the photos!
You need to buy this book regardless if you already own a Bengal, or are planning on purchasing one. The author Jean Mill of Millwood Bengals studied genetics at the University level and was the founder of the Bengal breed.

The negative reviews that are on Amazon about this book are obviously from uneducated and or envious people. Jean Mill created and developed the Bengal breed to give today's modern society an absolutely unique domestic cat that retains the appearance and luxuriously soft feel of a leopard's coat. This text will take you on an interesting journey through pictures and prose on how Jean Mill evolved the Asian jungles Leopard cat into a Bengal cat.

Moreover, the joy that you will receive from basking your eyes with the beauty along with the sensual softness, and interacting with the gentle personality and extreme intelligence of a Millwood Bengal absolutely has no peers...

An informative book from an actual Bengal breeder!
This book wowed me!I had read some negative reviews about it before but decided to order it anyways.I don't know what those people were talking about because this book IS amazing!First off it has high quality color photographs on every page!Second off,the author is and has been a Bengal owner and breeder for years and really knows first hand what she is talking about.She tells you the basics along with what she has learned.
VERY imformative on the Bengal breed!My book of choice.

Recommended buy before you purchase your Bengal.
The book is worth purchasing for the stunning photography itself. There are some tips and helpful information, but I've found more detailed information from breeders websites. Books on Bengals are not available as yet in Australia, so not sure how this compares to others, but I doubt breeders nor people wishing to show their cat would learn more than what they already know from this book. Recommended to the pet buyer who wants some basic info on habits, care, growth stages and beautiful photos of a range of Bengal coat patterns.

Expected better from the woman who created the breed
I expected a better book from the woman who created and promoted this wonderful breed! It is a very basic book more appropriate for someone considering a Bengal as a pet rather than for someone who already owns one. Very superficial coverage of the topics covered in this book. Most of the pictures in this book were provided from the same people over and over so there was not a lot of variety. 2 different photos actually show cats with a leash AROUND the neck of the cat which is very dangerous. Further, many of the cats pictured in the book were not very close to the breed standard and could therefore be misleading if a potential buyer where to use these pictures as a guideline for buying. Many of the photos don't do this breed justice. One cat, for example, was featured both on the cover and on the title page, and had the dirtiest ears! This is no testament to proper cat care and who was the editor anyway! The only thing that I did really like about this book was the "foto-glaze" that coated all the pictures making them look realistic and rich. Overall, I'm sorry to say, I would not recommend this book to anyone.

Only newbies would rate this book high
As a breeder I must recommend offline reading to many enthusiasts and prospective owners of Bengals. Jean's book does not misinform readers but also does little to offer up real detailed information that readers are looking for. Gene Ducote's book at gogees.com and Dan Rice's book here at Amazon offer the expansive details that Bengal lovers truly desire. This book is primarily a photo op for breeders. I'm not jealous or hurt; I'm calling it like it is a pictorial of Bengals from fine breeders. Yet the web has plenty of Bengal photos to choose from already. You can even get video at defiant.net. Only buy this book if you must own every Bengal book in print.

I won't leave my name because there is plenty of animosity among breeders regardless of constructive criticism such as this. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Ayyy--Caramba!
Manders energetic and humorous paintings enliven a long-time favorite of Spanish-language audiences for a new generation of English-speaking children. It opens:

Oh, Senor Don Gato was a cat.
On a high red roof Don Gato sat.
He went there to read a letter,
Where the reading light was better
'Twas a love note for Don Gato.

Manders depicts the portly gentleman perched on a chair on a steep tile roof, sipping from a teacup and drinking in the words of a sweet lady cat, who assents to wed him.

Alas, or more appropriately, "Ayyy-Caramba!!!" Don Gato takes a tall tumble, and "in spite of everything the doctors tried, poor Don Gato up and died." A rare occurrence on the way to the cemetery, however, provides Don Gato with, if not eight additional lives, at least one more opportunity for happiness with his lovely betrothed.

Using a palette rich in red, gold and brown tones, Manders evokes a Spanish colonial town, with church tower and balconied homes lining narrow cobblestone streets-all timelessly tucked away in sun-drenched hills.

Manders uses the long-known English translation, with its spry rhyme and clever lyrics, loosely based upon the traditional Mexican song. Unfortunately, the authorship of both the original and the translation have been lost to history. ... Read more

Book Description

Happy hands clap with delight for these books! Two new additions to the hugely popular Touch and Feel series, these titles feature two favorite animals -- kittens and puppies. Tactile patches allow kids to feel and explore; with these titles they will love to touch the kitten's rough tongue and stroke the puppy's soft fur. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

A fun book
Our daughter likes this book quite a bit, especially when the real cats come swarming all over us during reading time. Trying to get the real cats to reenact the adventures of Pepper & Pickle is perhaps not the best idea I have ever had, although Helen appeared to be amused.

Touch and Feel Kitten
This is not the best of the Touch and Feel books. The variety of textures is limited and my daugther seems less interested in this book than the farm, wild animals and baby animals versions, even though she loves cats.

One of my son's favorites
My son is crazy about cats and picked this book out for himself. He loves the pictures and the textures, especially the rough cat tongue page. He's also fond of Touch and Feel Farm Animals.

touch and feel kitten
this is a good book if u have young childeren about 1-2 years young.it is very interactive and will teach your kidswhat a cat feels like,and its tounge,its tags,fur,food bowl,and a straw basket.

A definite favorite!
I bought this book for my daughter when she's nine months old. Now six weeks later she still smiles with delight everytime I take it out for her. Besides exploring the different textures, she's fascinated with the cutout on the cover that shows the kitten's fur. Although she likes her other books, normally she's too impatient to sit through reading a whole book, but this book I have to read to her two or three times before she would let me take it away. I will definitely buy other touch and feel series. I feel that they are a terrific introduction to get her to love books. ... Read more

Book Description

Here’s the book that started it all—Lloyd Alexander’s first fantasy for young readers—back in hardcover!

Gareth’s definitely not an ordinary cat. For one thing, he can talk.For another, he’s got the power to travel through time—

“Anywhere, any time, any country, any century,” Gareth tells Jason.And in the wink of a very special cat’s eye, they’re off. From ancient Egypt to Japan, the land of young Leonardo da Vinci to the town of a woman accused of witchcraft, Jason and Gareth are whisked from place to place and friend to foe.

Full of fun, excitement, and a good dose of history, here’s a fantastic tale that grabs the imagination and takes it far and wide, on the adventure of not one but nine amazing lifetimes.
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Reviews (33)

Time Cat
If you are interested in world history or love cats, then this book is for you. In this book, a boy named Jason finds out from his talking cat, that cats do not have nine lives, but instead can visit nine different lives. They have the ability to travel to nine different time periods. Jason convinces his cat, Gareth, to take Jason with him. Every two chapters Gareth and Jason travel to another time period. They end up visiting Egypt in 2700 B.C., Rome and Britain in 55 B.C., Ireland in 411 A.D., Japan in 998 A.D., Italy in 1468, Peru in 1555, The Isle of Man in 1588, Germany in 1600, and America in 1775. In each of these places, Jason and Gareth are involved in famous events or are with famous people from that time period. Sometimes they come across characters that are friendly and helpful, and other times they meet characters that want to destroy them. I liked the fact that not only did this book give the reader information about the time period, it tied in how cats fit into that part of history. For example, in ancient Egypt cats were worshiped. There Gareth was brought to the pharaoh. In Germany in 1600, cats were thought to be demons and were killed. I do not usually like fantasy books, but I liked this book because it is a mix of fantasy and historical fiction.

Purrfect!!!
Wow, that was pathetically corny, but I couldn't resist.

Anyway, Alexander's book is wonderful. He's certainly my favorite, but Time Cat still managed to surprise me. It was an entertaining story (which ALL of his are), and it also reached some of the depth of his best tales (Westmark, Prydain, The Marvelous Misadventures of Sebastian).

The concept is great. Everyone knows that cats have nine live, but we don't realize that they live them simultaneously in various periods and places and can move from life to life at will. The cat in this, Gareth, ends up taking a boy, Jason, with him to visit each life. They visit such places as Egypt: 2700 B.C., Ireland: 411 A.D., Peru: 1555, Italy: 1468, and others. They get through an exciting adventure in each place and time.

Each story is highly entertaining. You get to witness the excitement while learning about various cultural facts and historic figures (such as Saint Patrick and Leonardo da Vinci). The real strength in the novel is the way in which the stories work together to create a strong message about being in awe of life and living it with courage and compassion. Time Cat is a superb novel and one of Alexander's best.

A cat may smile at a king
Hail the hometown hero. Or rather, the home country hero. With the massive collection of British fantasy writers out there, sometimes it's nice to reflect that at least we have Lloyd Alexander. Fantasy author extraordinaire. As prolific as he is talented, his books have remained in circulation since the 1960s. Therefore, it was with great surprise that I consulted the copyright date on his delightful "Time Cat", only to find that my newly published paperback copy was the latest edition of a title that originally came out in 1963. 1963 was a long time ago, yet this book has stayed relatively fresh for a historical fantasy. There are problems with it, no question. But on the whole it's an interesting story that holds up in the end.

In "Time Cat" there are two protagonists. One is Gareth, a cat capable of talking and time traveling when it pleases. The other is Jason, Gareth's human friend. At the insistence of Jason, the two set off on a series of cat-based adventures around the globe at different points in the past. They find themselves entertaining a pharoh, running from the witch-obsessed Germans of the 1600s, prisoners of Incas, and friends with Roman conquerors. For the kid who likes cats and likes adventures, this book is ideal. If, on the other hand, the reader doesn't particularly care for felines, they'd do well to choose another book. This is strictly a cat-lover affair. Each time period, in its way, relates to a period of history in the cat species. We see the way the Manx cats got their names, how cats were worshipped in Egypt, and called the devil in the 17th century. Jason and Gareth also proceed to make the acquaintance of several historical figures, from St. Patrick to Leonardo Da Vinci. There is even a chance meeting with an Irish lass that acts so much like the lovely Eilonwy from the "Prydain Chronicles" you find yourself wondering how she hopped out of those books and into this one. The reading level of this book is less difficult than Alexander's "Prydain Chronicles", and makes for a good early fantasy tale.

Of course there are problems with the book. Since Alexander is asking us to believe that Jason and Gareth are attending events that happened in the world's past, there's an understanding that what we read is based on fact. So when we read interpretations of the past that are clearly untrue, it's cause for concern. For example, the section on Leonardo Da Vinci needs some work. It is true that Da Vinci did some wonderful character studies of cats. However, as the illegitimate son of a gentleman, Da Vinci was unable to enter into a respectable profession and was, in a sense, forced to rely on his artistic talents. In this book, however, there is no mention of illegitimacy, Da Vinci's father treats him as his natural son, and attempts to get his boy to become a notary. Blatant historical untruths are not overly common in this book, but they do pop up every once in a while, causing the reader a bit of discomfort.

And then there are the problems with the time traveling itself. In an effort to get the story rolling higgledy piggledy, Alexander has eschewed any real explanation of how Gareth's time traveling works. This is all well and good, except that it makes one wonder why Gareth and his boy do not simply vanish to another time when they are held captive again and again and again. Constantly coming into danger, one wonders why Gareth chooses only calm moments to travel. Are there rules here we know nothing about? One would beg a little more information. Otherwise you don't feel particularly concerned when our intrepid heroes are in mortal peril. After all, they could just leave.

Finally, there are the natives. Jason and Gareth consistently find themselves joining up with invaders of one sort or another. Sometimes they're preparing to invade Briton. Other times, they help their friend the "nice" conquistador. For a 1963 book, Alexander is fairly good about portraying different races. He is sometimes prone to statements like, "These Britons are like big children" (enough to make a Celt's blood boil), but on the whole he does fairly well. I did have a small difficulty with the sympathetic conquistador bit. From reading this book you'd think the Incas and the Spanish lived happily and peacefully together for years to come after Jason and Gareth's visit. And this is not the case.

For the child that knows his or her history and has a bit of a kitty obsession, this is an ideal story. There's fighting, adventure, friends, foes, and an interesting plot. It is not a perfect book, but it's worth looking into, no question. To sum up; A swell romp.

Time Cat: The Remarkable Journeys of Jason and Gareth
This book is about a boy named Jason and a cat named Gareth.
The first time they went time traveling Jason looked into Gareth's eyes and Gareth gave a long slow wink. They went to Egypt,Italy and a lot of other places including the U.S.A in 1775! Gareth really talks in the story but not real cats that we have. In Egypt Gareth had a white spot on his chest. I really
like this book because they go back in time.

Time Tripping. . .
I picked up this book simply becuase it had a cat on the cover, and ended up thinking it was one of the best books I had ever read. The historical facts and cultural lessons captivated me, and at the beginning of each new section, you get a sort "Ooh, what kind of trouble will they get in this time?" feeling. A great book for kids 8-11. ... Read more

Book Description

IT'S SAMMY'S BIRTHDAY, which should be a good thing, except that Heather, Sammy’s arch enemy, turns out to be her star sister. And El Gato, the creepy new student at Slammin’ Dave’s Pro Wrestling School, keeps hissing at Sammy to stay away. And Dorito, Sammy’s cat, is missing, and while Sammy’s searching for him, she finds three dead cats in dumpsters around town. And as if that weren’t gross enough, Miss Kitty, a psycho cat lady, blames Sammy when it turns out one of the dead cats belonged to her. And then last, but certainly not least, Lady Lana, Sammy’s mom, confesses that she lied about Sammy’s age so she could start her in school a year early. So—surprise!—Sammy isn’t turning 14 at all, she’s going to have to be unlucky 13 for another whole year!

Better luck next year, Sammy. . . . ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (4)

A must-read for cat lovers!
It's true, my six-year-old loves this book. The truly great thing about it, though, is that it is thoroughly entertaining for the adults reading along with her. Everyone who has ever loved a cat, regardless of their age, should read this book. It's priceless.

5 Stars for Mr. Putter & Tabby Feed the Fish
My daughter is a beginning reader and loves all of the Mr. Putter and Tabby books, but this one is--by far--her favorite. It is endearing, tender, and funny, too. She reads it over and over, often laughing so hard at the events and characters' expressions, that she can't even read for a moment or two. All of these Rylant series books--and this one in particular--have really been a boost to her enjoyment of reading. I'm sure they would be for any 6-8 year old.

My favorite "Mr. Putter & Tabby" !
This is the best one yet! The story is so funny and original and the illustrations are fantastic. Simply adorable! The love Mr. Putter has for his cat was evident in the tender way he reacted to and coped with her "problem."

Mr. Putter and Tabby Feed the Fish
Beloved Tabby sits on Mr. Putter's shoulder where they stare at the fish in the fish store. They love it so much. It reminds Mr. Putter of having fish as a boy. It's exciting for Tabby. so Mr. Putter buys three fish and a bowl. Tabby nearly twitches her tail off on the way home. At home she just can't stop batting the bowl. Mr. Putter covers it with a pillowcase. In the morning, he finds Tabby under the pillowcase. He tries a bucket over the bowl. Read to find out how Mr. Putter finally solves Tabby's batting and twitching problem. You'll love these two and the cute and colorful illustrations of Arthur Howard. ... Read more