Book Description

Your 1 1/2-year-old will enjoy the lively beat of different words and sounds.

Tips for reading and sharing:

• Vary the tone and speed of your voice as you read.
• "Act out" the story with your child by dancing, hopping, and clapping.

Reviews (2)

Our FAVORITE!!
My daughter (who is only 4 months old) absolutely loves this book. It is funny, interesting, and hip. My husband and I don't even mind reading it over and over. (Although we find the catchy phrases hopelessly stuck in our heads!) :)

colorful, jazzy, fun book
What a refreshing board book! My 2 year old son loves the colorful night time scenes of cats in their pajamas having fun in the big city before settling down to sleep. The simple yet jazzy text is fun to read in beat-poet way. A great, non-cutesy-wootsy book for toddlers and preschoolers. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Mama and Papa cats, Muff and Buster, have just added three new kittens to their family--a red one, a multicolored one, and a brave black one named Smudge. Soon, their eyes open and "soon after that they learned to walk, waddling about unsteadily on their short legs, with their tails sticking up like little pine trees." One day their parents leave them alone in their box, and because kittens are prone to mischief, mischief ensues. Rugs are attacked, curtains are clawed, and yikes!--a lamp gets broken. Muff and Buster come to the rescue, and three exhausted kitties snuggle in for the night with a loving licking from Mama Muff.

This classic storybook, by Caldecott Honor author/illustrator Clare Turlay Newberry, was originally published in 1948 and was named one of the Fifty Books of the Year by the American Institute of Graphic Arts. Newberry's charming illustrations are some of the sweetest animal images you'll ever come across. No wonder she was known by some as "The Cat Lady." ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Kelsey Duerr Review
Smudge by Clara Truly Newberry was my favorite out of ten children's books I read. Smudge is a cat who loves to get out of his box when his mom goes hunting outside. The main reason this book was my favorite is because I like cats better than dogs.

fantastic for a baby gift for cat lovers
The book is simple and straightforward. A cute little story about a cat with fantastic illustrations. Great great book for a baby present. All the parents love it! The cat lovers in particular can use this book to spread the word about kitties. Buy more than one to keep on hand. ... Read more

Reviews (21)

The Voyage of the Basset
If you are like me and enjoy fantasy books, you will love "The Voyage of the Basset" by James C. Christensen, Renwich St. James and Alan Dean Foster. This book will capture your imagination and make you believe you are in the story. This is one of my favorite books because of the adventures it holds.
Imagine you and your family are taking a walk and a little boat with six dwarfs and who-knows-how-many Gremlins on it, is docked right in front of you. The dwarfs invite you aboard and take you on a magical journey of incredible adventures. This is what happened to Professor Asiling and his two daughters Miranda and Cassandra.
I think that "The Voyage of the Basset" is an incredible story. In my opinion, this book takes the best qualities of fiction, which are mythology, fantasy, adventure and imagination and then combines them into the best book I have ever read! And I have read at least 1,000 books. I believe that "The Voyage of the Basset" will capture the hearts and imaginations of children everywhere.

PERFECTION
James Christensen is my favorite artist, and Voyage of the Basset does a wonderful job of showcasing his art. He does the best fantasy art I have seen, especially faries and mermaids. The story is not captivating, but it is an easy, enjoyable read. I think it is perfect to read to young children. Actually, it is a priceless book for a child to have, it would be completely magical. However, for adults, it is still an amazing book, one that you can proudly keep on your table top to show off to guests. Every single painting in this book is filled with wonderful detail, color, imagination, and life. For anyone who loves fairy tales and mythical creatures, do not pass up this treasure. You will love it from cover to cover. It is pure magic!

A Voyage for Everyone
A story about a family coping with heartache and struggling to pick back up the pieces of their torn lives. Full of whimsical illustrations and imagination. For kids and the kid at heart, the only thing you will regret is not going on this fantastic voyage of distant shores and mythical creatures.

I LOVE THIS BOOK!
If you love fairy tales then this book is for you! with an excellent story and beautiful pictures, I open my book at least once a week! I highly recommened this book to all ages! A true classic!

Favorite Book
This is my favorite book. I have read it so many times. The drawings are beautiful. The story is so interesting that you almost feel like you are in the book, that you are Cassandra. There are so many mythical creatures discribed and drawn out for you on every page. My favorite part is when they meet the Manticore and the Sphynx falls in love with him. It is a very cute book that reads easy. ... Read more

Book Description

No No, Jo!

For toddlers beginning to assert their independence, this fold-out adventure of a curious kitten has a funny refrain on every page.Little kitten Jo just wants to be helpful, but everything she does ends in a mess. Toddlers beginning to assert their independence will gleefully join in the refrain, ‘No No, Jo!’ on each page of this humorous, fold-out book.

Little kitten Jo just wants to be helpful, but everything she does ends in a mess. Toddlers beginning to assert their independence will gleefully join in the refrain, ‘No No, Jo!’ on each page of this humorous, fold-out book.

... Read more

Reviews (11)

My 2 year old loves this book!
Being a toddler, my daughter likes saying "No, No, Jo!" and she feels like she has some control over her world (and she's "reading"). The Sam-Jen-Jo situations are very typical for her age group (selecting socks, brushing teeth, painting), and the pictures are colorful. (Plus we have a kitten ourselves to relate Jo's antics to!) A child who is testing out his/her independence would enjoy this book. It's also short enough for a parent to read over several times without getting too annoyed with the repetition that toddlers so love!

Great for toddlers!
This book is great for toddlers. My 22-month old son adores it! He loves repeating the refrain, "No, no Jo!" The illustrations aren't beautiful, but he doesn't care. All-in-all, a fun book.

My kids love this book
My oldest daughter's first sentence was "No no, Jo!" I've already ordered a new copy of this to give to her when she's older since our first copy was worn out. I bought a copy for my brother-in-law's new baby but my two-year-old commandeered it so she could have a copy upstairs and one down. We love this book.

Great book to get toddlers interested in books
I bought this for my granddaughter when she was 18 months old...she loved it until about three. Now my grandson, age 20 months, brings it out whenever he sees me...or anyone else. His big sister can read it to him! So, it works on two levels!

Very Cute and Catchy!
I just received this book for my 2 year old girl, and she loves it. She actually wants to sleep with this book! She loves to repeat the pharse--No, No Jo! and of course I love to hear her say it. Being that she's a late talker, any book that can catch her attention like this is great for us! I really enjoy reading this to her, and she loves this mischevious cat! A great read for a 2 year old! ... Read more

Book Description

It's migration time and as a mother gull dives into the water to catch a herring she's caught in an oil slick! Thinking of the egg she is about to lay she manages to extract herself and fly to the nearest port. Exhausted, she lands on a balcony where Zorba the cat is sunning himself.Zorba wants to get help, but the gull knows it's too late and she extracts three promises from him: 1) That he won't eat the egg, 2) that he'll take care of the chick until it hatches, and 3) that he'll teach it to fly. The first two are hard enough, but the third one is surely impossible.Isn't it? ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Wonderful to Read Aloud
I read this book to my 7 year old twin girls, and the three of us loved it. The vocabulary, the humor, the characters were all wonderful. I have high hopes that the author will continue to write children's books. ... Read more

Book Description

A spirited, quirky, and thoroughly modern remakeof the classic tale about an industrious henand the gastronomical rewards ofhard work and self-reliance

Kids love pizza, and they will love this cleverly illustrated, up-to-date retelling of the traditional Little Red Hen story. In this new version, the intrepid fowl spies a can of tomato sauce in her cupboard and knows it's time to make a lovely little pizza.

Children will enjoy following the process of making a pizza as the Little Red Hen--who can get no help from the duck, the dog, or the cat--buys an appropriate pan, kneads the dough, cuts and chops vegetables (and other stuff) for a fabulous topping, and bakes a humongous pizza ("It was lovely, but it wasn't little"). Despite many a "Not I," the duck, the dog, and the cat finally do help out (of course) in ways that will surprise and delight young readers.

Amy Walrod's exuberant, witty cut-paper art combines interesting composition with humorous expression and detail to create a world that gives a special accent to the offbeat adaptation. ... Read more

Reviews (10)

This book is GREAT!
This is a great twist on the story the little red hen. Instead of making a loaf of bread the little red hen is making a pizza and no one will help her. The pictures in this book are really interesting, they look like they were all formed from paper cut outs and there are lots of other abstract things going on in the pictures as well to discuss with your child. What my son and I love most about this book is that he can help tell the story. He loves the repetitiveness of the story and this book teaches children a wonderful lesson about sharing. I can't say enough good things about this book!

A NEW LESSON FOR CHILDREN
I THINK THAT THE "UPDATED" VERSION OF THE LITTLE RED HEN HAS AN IMPORTANT LESSON, YES, WE ALL KNOW THAT IF YOU DON'T HELP, THEN YOU DON'T GET TO SHARE IN THE FINISHED PRODUCT, BUT THIS LESSON IS SHARING. THE LITTLE RED HEN HAS MORE THAN ENOUGH FOR HERSELF, SO IN THE END, EVEN THOUGH HER FRIENDS DIDN'T HELP, SHE SHARES. AND HOW MANY CHILDREN COULDN'T USE ANOTHER LESSON IN SHARING. THE ILLUSTRATIONS ARE EYE CATCHING, THE STORY IS GREAT. I LOVE THIS BOOK AS MUCH AS THE ORIGINAL. THIS IS NOT A REPLACEMENT ON THE FIRST, IT IS AN ADDITION.

A charming hen
The Little Red Hen Makes a Pizza is a wonderful book terrifically illustrated in a memorable style. I loved reading this story to my girls. The Little Red Hen would be a charming friend (and neighbor) and makes a great addition to a bookshelf.

A moral story with a new moral
I read this book to a student during some volunteer work. While I liked the way the classic story had been made more urban in order to be more associational for many readers, I was disappointed in two places.

The first is a little trivial, when the Hen needs cheese, it mentions all the cheese she has, including string cheese, but no mozzarella. Unfortunately, string cheese is mozzarella.

But my real problem is that the original moral of the story, that the lazy animals do not benefit from the Hen's hard work. Instead they all get some pizza and are guilt-tripped into helping clean up.

While I can accept the change in scenery (and pizza instead of bread), I have a hard time accepting that the moral has been changed.

A teacher and mother
I read The Little Red Hen to my first grade students after my 4 year old came home from school reciting it. When I found this book, I read it to my class and they loved it. I was able to use a venn diagram to compare the two stories. It is a very cute book and the end surpised them! ... Read more

Book Description

"Big Cat, Big Cat, catch me if you can!" Every day the tiny mouse teases the big cat. And every day the cat sets off in hot pursuit. But the mouse is fast and always makes it home to safety -- just in the nick of time. Until one day the cat takes a shortcut. When the mouse arrives home, the cat is waiting... and boy is he hungry!

A Dual Main Selection of the Children's Book-of-the-Month Club
Children's Choices for 1995 (IRA/CBC) ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Another favorite by the same author....
OK-I haven't read it 500 times but it IS consistently on the list of favorites. It has a bit of a thrill without getting too scary. Lavish illustrations.

Beautifully Illustrated story for young children.
In this story, which is told in rhyme, a small mouse insists on teasing a cat, while the cat is lounging on a hammock, drinking ice water, and generally minding his own business. A chase ensues each time the mouse begins the tease and the mouse scampers back to his mother to save him. By books end, the mouse has learned that it is not wise to tease. This book is extraordinary in its illustrations. My 3 year old son never tires of this book. It is a well read bedtime story. Highly, highly recommended!!

Hilarious, Beautifully Ilustrated. A absolute gem!
I learned of this book when I purchased another book and Amazon recommended it. What a sleeper! I had never heard of it. My 3 year old son laughs everytime we read it. The mouse insists on teasing the sleeping or relaxing cat, who then pursues him. The mouse runs to mommy to protect him. However, during the last chase, mommy cannot help and the mouse has to figure out how to save himself. There are some real slapstick scenes which my son loves. The cat has his nose tweaked, the cat falls off of his hammock, typical three year old humour. Highly, highly recommended!

Entertaining with delightful illustrations!
I work in a daycare. This book has become the favorite of every child I have read it to over the past two years! I even enjoy it and never tire of reading it to my two and three years olds. Some of the children have even memorized parts of the book and repeat it out loud when I get to that part of the book. I have given this book to numerous children over the past two years and I will continue giving it to my beloved daycare kids. ... Read more

Book Description

Since it was first published over fifty years ago, April's Kittens remains a classic cat story and is now made available again in this handsome new edition.

Many children understand April's dilemma when her cat, Sheba, has three kittens. April is thrilled until her father insists that theirs is strickly a one-cat household. April must give up three cats, but which ones? The aptly named Charcoal? Tiger-striped Butch? Sweet-faced Brenda?--or even Sheba?

How April eventually comes up with the perfect solutions makes for a heartwarming story that has appealed to many young cat lovers and will continue to delight generations of children everywhere. Clare's Newberry's enchanting illustrations reflect her fondness for cats; School Library Journal deemed these "beautiful drawings, so real one wants to pet them."

Reviews (10)

A timeless book to treasure
This book was given to me in 1940 when I was seven years old. I adored it then, and I have loved it ever since. I'm so happy to see that it's back in print! The illustrations are wonderful, but the story is outstanding too, with emotional depth found in too few picture books. The child's love for the cat and kittens, and the need to make a hard choice in the way best for everyone, was something I never forgot.

Wonderful Reviews from The New York critiques
The New Yorker review: "Mrs. Newberry is the paragon of cat portraitists. Here she has written the story of a little girl and her kittens to warm the heart of any child."

The New York Herald Tribune: "Even better than MITTENS, this picture-book is a prize...This family lives in a one-cat apartment; every city dweller knows what that means...what a heartbreaking thing for a little girl to let even one of them go?

The pictures are portraits of the sempiternal kitten, new with every batch yet old as Egypt."

The New York Times: "Mrs. Newberry, if possible, is even better and more beguiling...in April's Kittens."

These are marvelous books
... If you and your child love cats and gorgeous illustrations, you should hunt these books down. We have many of them. "Herbert the Lion" got us started and that's a delight too. THese books should not be allowed to go out of print

Aprils Kittens
This is very first book that I checked out of the school library. The fact that I could remember it so vividly testifies to the fact that I really loved it. I recently purchased for my own daughter. It is a wonderful story.

My mother would have loved these heart-warming reviews
Not many people know that all the Clare T. Newberry stories were "99%" true. My mother felt that just having and loving cats led to wonderful stories that were much more poignant for being real.

Reading the wonderful and deeply felt reviews on this site would have delighted my mom, and they certainly have touched me.

It is very sad that all the other books listed on this site are really in print, but Smithmark Publishers who issued them declared Chapter 11, so to get them you have to do a book search which Amazon also provides. But they are available! ... Read more

Book Description

Only Megan knows that feral cats live in the field that's about to be bulldozed. An odd man offers to help her save them, but there's something not quite right about his offer. Then, after witnessing a car accident, Megan begins receiving disturbing notes. Not knowing who to trust, Megan will have to rely on her wits in order to save the cats-and herself-from the treacherous adventures that lie ahead.

"A great story with intriguing plot twists and plenty of action." (School Library Journal) ... Read more

Reviews (5)

The Escape
The Escape
A girl named Megan is trying to save some kittens from a field that is to be leveled. Megan is kidnapped by this guy named Shane. Megan escaped,and was reunited with her family.
Shane Turner puts Megan in a hot air balloon and takes her to a field,where a blue pickup is waiting. (Megan crawled through bushes until she reached a big enough tree to hide behind.) Magen goes back,steals the truck and calls the police on Shane's cell phone,and the police finds her driving along the road.
I think anyone who likes books that keep you guessing.
Washington Shcool,Monticello IL.

The Escape
The Escape
A girl named Megan is trying to save some kittins from a field that is to be leavled. Megan is kidnapped by this guy named Shane Turner. Megan escapes,and she is reunited with her family.
Shane Turner puts Megan in a hot air ballonand takes her to a field,were a blue pick-up truck is waiting. (Megan crawled through bushes until she reached a big enough tree to hide behind.) Megan goes back steals the truck and calls the police from Shanes' cell phone, and the police found her driving along the road.

Easy 2 Read
A Review by Cory

This book was fun and easy to read, almost at every time there was something important happening....You can't really lose attention to this book or you get lost fast...but its not like you would lose interest anyways.
In this book there is really nothing that I hate. I can't really talk bad about it. To a person who likes to actually read I personally think that you would not find anything wrong with this book. It has conflicts, dialogue, action, it has everything. So the least thing I can say is ENJOY.
This truly is one of very many good books!.

Don't tell Anyone-Peg Kehret
This was a good adventure book. I think it's great for kids of all ages.

Megan is 12 years old. She finds feral cats in a field, one pregnant. One day she witnesses a fatal car crash. The other story that connects is of a man named Shane, a criminal who wants to escape. When Megan interfers with his plan he goes at lengths to get her out of the way.

This is a great book that will keep you reading to the end.

And yet another exciting book of Kehrets!
Wonderful intriguing book! Too many details to summarize however. 2 points off because it was too short and it was mmissing something. ... Read more

Amazon.com

A tiny old woman named Mrs. Brown lives in a big house on the edge oftown with no one but cats, cats, cats to keep her company. All day long, as Mrs.Brown goes about her business, the cats snooze away. But as soon as she putsdown their 60 bowls of cat food and marches herself up to bed, the cats go wild.Cats throwing confetti, eating spaghetti, chasing their tales, cutting a rug,doing the fox trot and the jitterbug, these feisty felines "whoop it up untilthe dawn." The ever-tolerant Mrs. Brown wakes every morning to a complete mess,but simply sweeps her beloved cats into a heap so they can get their beautysleep. Although some consider Mrs. Brown to be a little batty, she scoffs at thethought. "Oh fiddle dee dee! / I love my cats and they love me."

Lesléa Newman's amusing cat romp is perfectly paired with Erika Oller'splayful watercolors of dozens upon dozens of snoozing and frolicking felines.Newman is the well-known author of Heather Has Two Mommies andMatzo Ball Moon, as wellas many books for adults. (Ages 4 to 8) --Emilie Coulter ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Cool Story-Great Illustrations!
I thought this was a book about the Broadway play 'CATS' anyway it was a great read, and it has good pictures. Buy it!

Purrfect in every way!
Cats, cats, cats is a purrfect addition to anyone's library. I thoroughly enjoyed this beautifully illustrated and delightfully authored book. From the first delicious rhyme to the last, I felt like a kid again. I smiled with glee as I turned each page to discover the mischievous adventures of Mrs. Brown's cats. Although it is listed as a children's book, the book is a must for anyone who likes to escape on a silly and tender adventure cuddled up with a good book. I would recommend reading it to youngsters at bedtime and then again to yourself because the illustrations are so exquisite and the clever writing is sure to make you grin ear to ear. Cats, cats, cats is a must, must, must!

Fun, Fun, Fun!
Mrs. Brown loves her cats. She loves the softness of their fur and the loudness of their purr. She loves to comb their fluffy tails and manicure their nails. She loves to fill her lap with them and sometimes, take a nap with them. And all day long as her cats snooze away, Mrs Brown does all her household chores. But, in the evening after she puts down their food and goes up to bed, Mrs Brown's cats party the night away, eating spaghetti and throwing confetti, dancing and chasing their tails, knitting and purling and whooping it up until the crack of dawn. And then, as the new day begins, the cats begin their beauty sleep and Mrs Brown starts cleaning up their mess and putting her house back in order again..... Lesla Newman has written a charming and humorous picture book that will delight both youngsters and adults with its expressive rhyming text. Her gentle story is only outdone by Erika Oller's wonderfully busy and detailed watercolor artwork and kids will be mesmerized as they watch the many antics of Mrs Browns very talented felines. Perfect for children 3-7, Cats, Cats, Cats makes a terrific gift and is sure to make a cat lover out of everyone!

Delightful Picture Book for Cat Lovers
This book may be aimed at youngsters but the humor of the slightly wacky rhyming and the amusing watercolor illustrations makes it a delightful story to read out loud over and over to all the cat lovers you know. There's lots to discover in each picture of all the silly things cats do. I'm buying it for my mother, who at 79 has suddenly adopted a slightly scaled down group of felines. I know she'll recognize quite a few of the cats! ... Read more

Amazon.com

First pets have always been popular, including such notables as FDR's Scottish terrier, Fala; Caroline Kennedy's pony, Macaroni; and Amy Carter's cat, Misty. President Clinton's cat, Socks, and his chocolate Labrador, Buddy, have also managed to attract quite a few fans since landing in the White House, the majority being curious children who have lots of interesting questions and aren't shy about sharing! In Dear Socks, Dear Buddy: Kids' Letters to the First Pets, First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton gathers together more than 80 full-color photographs of the dynamic duo and 50 letters to them from kids across the United States and offers answers to their most-often-asked questions. From "Socks Stats" and a "Buddy Bio" to a FAQ page for each, and "Socks and Buddy's Guide to Good Pet Care," children will be delighted with the generous information provided on two of their favorite pets, as well as the "pet history" of the White House and a look into how letters to Socks and Buddy are received, sorted, and answered at the U.S. Soldiers' and Airmen's Home. Clinton, who is donating all of the author proceeds from the sale of this book to the National Park Foundation, also devotes a chapter to suggesting numerous ways that "parents can help their children initiate and enjoy the experience of writing and receiving letters," making this a treasure for both parents and children alike. ... Read more

Reviews (15)

A terrific gift for cat and/or dog lovers.
"Dear Socks, Dear Buddy" is written in a sweet, easy-to-read style that would appeal to kids or adults of all ages. In addition to letters written to Socks and Buddy and answers to questions most frequently asked in them, Hillary Clinton includes a chapter on pet care. But the real treasure here is the photographs, which I've looked through at least a dozen times so far, and I've had the book only two days! The photos portray a more domestic side to life in the White House, and assure us that real people live there and do more than just fling politics. It's easy to tell from the photos that Socks is a tremendously patient and photogenic cat. Did you know that he goes on official visits to hospitals and senior centers in a cat carrier with the presidential seal? I found looking through this book to be very calming. If you know someone with a dog or a cat, this would make a very good gift. Hillary Clinton's proceeds from the sale of this book will be donated to the National Park Foundation; the publisher is donating a portion of profits to animal charities.

Woof Woof
In this predictable knockoff of the Presidential pet book series pioneered by several Republican administrations, Diet Roosevelt's cat and dog ("Socks" and "Buddy," respectively) are hagiographically profiled. Author Lady Diet Roosevelt relies largely on letters purloined from a swarm of unsuspecting child correspondents for the body of the text, much as her husband's administration largely appropriated the watered-down policies of his predecessors in running the nation (even his philandering was a watered-down take on Camelot days!). Intelligent Diet Roosevelt watchers who buy this book hoping for hidden political insights should look elsewhere, as this is a fairly straightforward profile of the first pets, targeted solely at small children and Democrats. The one curious exception to this is the unconfirmed rumor - suspiciously unrefuted in this volume - that the Kremlin's most popular occupants in Lenin's day were his cat and dog Ïðèÿòåëü and Íîñêîâ - Russian for Socks and Buddy, respectively. Coincidence?

fun book to read to and with children
A book for all dog and cat owners. I liked the way she organized the photographs between the children's letters. Some of the children's letters had drawings that my grandchildren enjoyed. I thought Buddy's Bio and Socks Stats where clever, and we tried the same idea to describe other pets. My children grew up with pets, but my grandchildren do not have room for pets. So we read this book about Buddy and Socks whenever they want to know more about having pets. Usually it leads to drawing a picture or writing a story afterwards.

Great book!
What a fun way to see inside the lives of the first pets. Well-written, with lots of cute photos and interesting information.

Good intro
"Dear Socks, Dear Buddy" is a cute photo album and collection of letters sent to the former First Cat and Dog. It's a great way to introduce young children to politics without using the word impeachment.... ... Read more

Reviews (3)

But the cat came back, the very next day
This is as much a book about cats and their natures as it is a tale about building trust and patience. A prequel to the previously popular and delightful "Ginger", Charlotte Voake's, "Ginger Finds a Home", gives us a little background information about one very special house cat. While in "Ginger" the cat is a fat comfortable fellow with little time for the ragtag mechanisms of a new kitten, in "Ginger Finds a Home" our hero is a skinny alley cat who doesn't know where his next meal is coming from.

The Ginger here is a wild thin creature that lives at the end of a garden. He never knows where he'll be getting his next meal. One day, Ginger finds a plate of cat food waiting for him to eat. The next day, when he goes back to the same spot he sees his benefactress, a little girl. Soon a trust grows between the two (slowly and with time) and eventually the girl invites Ginger home. The cat easily grows skittish in the new environment and the little girl is distraught, fearing she's pushed him too far. But the cat comes back and now the two live together peacefully with Ginger visiting his patch at the end of the garden to sunbathe only.

It's nice to see a story that talks of patience and slow understanding. Voake is an adept writer and though I felt this wasn't quite as satisfying a story as "Ginger", the book has a charm all of its own. Ginger is quite full and healthy looking at the end of the book, though his tail remains as skinny and raggedy as ever. Owners of their own cats will be pleased to note that the little girl knows exactly how to hold Ginger, carefully placing an arm underneath his lower legs when she picks him up. Those readers who chose to glance at the author's note on the back inside flap (aside from seeing a parting shot of a happy Ginger in his cat basket) may be delighted to find that the story is based on a real Ginger who decided to live with the Voake family in England. Truth be told, there is a rather English flavor to the book. It is both understated and touching. In the end, a perfect compliment of tones make "Ginger Finds a Home" an excellent edition to any home library. For the cat lovers of the world, it's a keeper.

Ginger is invited by a little girl to live in a real home
Ginger is a little orange cat, very thin, with a tail like a piece of string, who is living in a patch of weeds at the end of a garden. Ginger survives by drinking water from puddles and finding things to eat in trash cans before sleeping in a patch of weeds each night. Then one day the cold and hungry little cat came back to his patch of weeds and discovered a plate of delicious cat food. The next day there is not only another plate of food waiting for him, but also a little girl.

"Ginger Finds a Home" is a prequel to Charlotte Voake's "Ginger" and tells the story of how one small cat finds, help, a home, and love. Voake lives in England and the story here is a true one about the day the real Ginger, who lived at the bottom of her garden in England, decided to come and live with the family. What is nice about this story is that it captures the tentativeness of the bonds between the hungry cat and the little girl that has decided to offer him a home in which to live.

Anybody who has lived with a cat (it is a mistake to think that they choose to live with you) will know that "Ginger Finds a Home" rings true. For anybody who has ever brought home a stray cat this charming little book will strike a chord, and if you have a cat that entered your life by more conventional means you can check out Voake's "Ginger" as well.

Pleasing & gentle
Ginger is a stray cat struggling to survive when he finds a place where food is easily available-- although there seems to be another animal there too. This animal continues to bring food to him and finally he trusts the little girl enough to venture into the house where at last he finds a home.

Voake manages to portray the hard life of a stray without being too upsetting for younger children while making sure that they understand the hardships involved. She also gently instructs in the art of making animal friends: patience, kindness and more patience. She is also accurate in her depiction of Ginger's reactions in a way many authors fail: for example, Ginger is frightened being in the house and reacts accordingly instead of deciding immediately that this is HOME. It's a more realistic treatment than most and I find that admirable.

The illustrations are more suggestive of characters and events than detailed and accurate; this is not Anne Mortimer, more like Quentin Blake. They are also old fashioned in a way, in that they leave lots of open space, focusing in instead on, say, how Ginger curls up in his spot of grass rather than the entire yard.

I'd especially recommend this for people who work in animal rescue to use to explain to small children what it is like to be a stray and why stray animals need time to adjust to people. However it would work for any pre-K- 1st grade as a story just to be enjoyed. ... Read more

Book Description

Have you ever seen a cat wearing a crown? Or noticed a group of cats hunting a dog?

Young Peter Black has, but no one believes him! Peter is positive, though, that there's something a little odd about all the cats in town, and he's determined to get to the bottom of it. With vibrant illustrations by Kristin Sorra, Aaron Shepard retells a classic English folktale that will have readers looking twice at their cats! Meow, meow... ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Giggles and Friendship
This book is a hit at my house.My 5-year-old son gets the giggles at the dog's antics every time we read it.I like the friendship between the cat and the dog.Cute, warm fuzzy story! ... Read more

Book Description

Catundra is a very fat cat, and all the other animals make fun of her. It takes friendship, exercise, and healthy foods for Catundra to be happy again. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Catundra: A delightful book showing kids the importance....
of healthy living through food and exercise. This book teaches children that food should not be an escape from reality, it should be a fuel for our bodies and minds. I read this book as a child and I received a copy as a gift the other day. I don't think that the writer of this book meant for people to take his story as saying that fat people and animals aren't accepted, like so many of you have written. I think he wants us to all learn the importance of healthy living. Catundra is my favorite book in the world.

Stephanie

offensive! Spreading Intolerance and ignorance about obesity
In this book, a cat (very cute cat)is teased and insulted by the other animals who ostracize her for her differences. The book furthers that this is HER fault--after all, she chose to be obese and all she has to do is stop pigging out and excercise and everyone will like her....The harassment this character receives from other animals is considered justifiable because of her appearance--talk about sending the wrong message! And yes, in the end when a young mole appoints himself her personal trainer and decides to teach her that being fat is bad, all the animals do indeed come to like her and feel sorry for the way they acted. Only in a fantasy world.

Teaching tolerance
It is always difficult to look and see the differences. It can also be painful to point them out to persons. I love these books that encourage us to be compasionate and understanding of others situations. If you've never had a weight problem it is difficult to understand, as with other disabilities. Thank you Steven Cosgrove for stepping across the line to teach in a fair and kind way. Lessons can be painful but they put us on the path of knowledge which leads to understanding and acceptance and yet so vital for children to learn.

Very Sad.
I remember this book from when I was a child. The sad illustrations and storyline would cause me to become teary-eyed. It was successful in getting the point across that it is very mean to tease fat kids. I always defended the chubby kids after reading this book. There is one picture in this book that became burned into my memory- of the cat eating a sandwitch with tears running down her face.I could cry just thinking about it!

Fat Cat in Kids' Book Gets Personal Trainer, Self-Worth
My children and I were charmed by the beguiling illustration of a cat on the front cover of Catundra, so we checked it out of the library. Once home, I was dismayed to find that after the first page, I had to rely on improvisation, as the text was simply too offensive to read aloud. The story (as told by Cosgrove) goes like this: there was a rotund female tabby who was tormented by the other animals in "a perfect part of the forest." The other animals ridiculed this cat, which of course led to an eating disorder. She gorged herself on cake and starches until she met a "mole" (my three-year-old took one look at the grey, furry-pawed, long-tailed animal and correctly pronounced it a mouse!) To save his own hide, the male "mole" offers to become Catundra's personal trainer. After forced marches and a crash diet, the cat lost weight, and found new energy. "Most importantly, the other creatures of the forest didn't call her names because she had slimmed down to the prettiest cat they had ... Read more

Reviews (9)

Beautiful, stirring, my kids loved it!
When my children were young, this was one of the bedtime stories they loved best. It's particularly good for cat lovers! The illustrations are gorgeous, and the story moves through suspense to a beautiful resolution -- a feast at the end of a storm-tossed fishing trip.

Fantastic
A wonderful story with beautiful pictures. If it doesn't warm your heart, you're not human! It is so good, I've bought a stack of copies to send out as Christmas gifts.

One of the most perfect children's books I know
This is an extraordinary book. Antonia Barber has produced a superb story, based on the legend of the Cornish village of Mousehole. Tom is an old fisherman who lives with Mowzer, his cat, who is also aging gracefully. Their lives--organized around fish, firesides, milk, and scratching of ears--fill the first few pages, and then the Great Storm-Cat arrives, howling around the harbor and bottling up the fishing fleet. Food in the village starts to run low. Finally, the day before Christmas, Tom and Mowzer go out to fish together in the teeth of the storm, so that the children of the village should not be hungry on Christmas Day.

The text is powerful--remarkably so for a children's book. But Nicola Bayley's paintings are, if possible, even more astonishing. There is a gorgeous picture of the Great Storm-Cat and Mowzer at sea; fine, characterful pictures of Tom, Mowzer and the village of Mousehole; and among other treasures, one picture that always moves me to tears. Another reviewer said the book made them weep: I know the page they were talking about. It's where Tom and Mowzer sail back to the village, to discover that the villagers have realized they are gone, and are waiting for them.

Enough. It's a beautiful picture. Buy the book, even if you don't have kids, though you'll get far more pleasure from reading this to a child. The language is a little complex for a child under five, but you can simplify as you read. And you'll read it again and again.

A really good read
This book was really one of the best I've ever read. I suppose because I'm only eight I haven't read that many - but this is still the best so far (Harry Potter is next, so who knows?).

The illustrations were superb and I would read this book again, and again and again.

A book that transcends age
This is one of those books that I can never read out loud to my children without weeping. There is something so touching about the devotion of Mowser, the cat, to Tom (her human); of Tom to the hungry children of his village; of his village to the old fisherman who risks his life to try to save them from starving. The depth of the pathos is probably most apparent to the adults reading this book; my kids always know I am going to cry, but I don't think they quite understand the sweetness of my tears. They appreciate the excitement of the story, and Mowser's pluck and skill. Bayley's illustrations are stunningly detailed and really elevate the story like a vividly remembered dream. This is a perfect book. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

A favorite for feline fans
Both of my children, ages 4 and 2, really enjoy this delightful story. The illustrations are very realistic and the story is quite appealing to young children.

The simple text introduces prepositional opposites
Delightfully written and beautifully illustrated in watercolor images by Phyllis Limbacher Tildes, Calico's Curious Kittens is the newest title regaling young readers ages 2 through 7 with the adventures of Calico, a cat who is now a mother with seven kittens of her own! These are very curious kittens who have great adventures exploring the big backyard, climbing curtains, and investigating the kitchen. The simple text introduces prepositional opposites such as in/out, over/under, up/down, etc. Calico's Curious Kittens is also available in paperback (1570915121, ...The other highly recommended titles in this outstanding series include Counting On Calico; Calico Picks A Puppy; and Calico's Cousins.

AN EXCELLENT READ ALOUD
Little is more irresistible than playful kittens. Calico, the popular feline read about in "Counting On Calico" and "Calico's Cousins," is now a proud but busy mother to a litter of seven.

Geared for youngsters up to the second grade author Tildes fills her pages with warm watercolor illustrations and all the mischief that kittens can create. Ginger loves to hide in paper bags; Pumpkin takes every opportunity to jump into a drawer. Together this inquiring group climbs curtains, and wanders across a bridge in the backyard.

The text is extremely simple, and most appropriate for reading aloud. Young ones will be entertained by the adventures of these seven inquisitive kittens.

- Gail Cooke ... Read more

Reviews (5)

beautifully illustrated
This is just a perfectly involving and cute holiday book for children but the illustrations appeal to all ages. And the price is right!

A favorite....
I love this picture book. My mother read it to me so many times (well over 20 years ago!) that I memorized the text! I loved cats as a child and was delighted with the story of Henry ("One smart cat") shushing along the snow on skis and poles he fashioned himself. The author tells the story so matter of factly that it seemed so real.

This is also a beautiful book to look at. The water color illustrations of the snowy landscapes are very well done. I remember this book fondly and look forward to sharing it with my own children.

A great story to read out loud!

CUTE
Sorry to hear this is OOP. Another great read-aloud story. The adventures of Henry as he tries to make his way back home after being left-behind on the family vacation are both cute and funny at the same time. Anyone who loves cats will enjoy reading this book. This is definately one of our "family-favorites". If you can get your hands on a copy I would definately grab this one.

Better than "Cats!" I read it again and again!
When my baby sister (now a grown woman) was about four and I was about fourteen, this was our favorite book. I'm sure I read this book to her fifty times and wouldn't be surprised if the number were double that. I never once grew bored with the story.

The artwork is charming, the story is entertaining, the characters are engaging. Our favorite part is Henry's song which our family would sing together not only when we read the book but sometimes while travelling in the car or doing chores together.

The Cross Country Cat is a permanent part of my family's culture and among my fondest childhood memories.

A delightful story
Henry the cat will steal your heart and make you laugh. Children delight in this story of a cat who gets left behind in the mountains. Henry, who is "some smart cat," tells the story. He goes on to enjoy other adventures in books like "Hot Air Henry." ... Read more

Book Description

In desperation, Sarah sends Rotten Ralph to feline finishing school. Will Ralph's mischief finally be a thing of the past? ... Read more

Reviews (5)

The ultimate felonious feline
There are certain unchangeable constants in this world.The tides.The phases of the moon.And the love children will always have for naughty, bad, not-so-very-nice behavior.It is this love that has made "The Cat In the Hat" a picture book classic, and that has raised David Shannon's, "No, David!" from obscurity to beloved bedtime must.And though "Rotten Ralph" is not original in terms of bad-pet-wreaks-havoc (the best version of which, by the way, is Joan Aiken's, "Arabel's Raven"), it is certainly one of the more original and visually stimulating of its kind.There will always be certain fuddy duddy parents out there that dislike "Rotten Ralph" on the basis of its content (i.e. naughtiness to them=evil incarnate).But there will also always be parents who recognize why children love Ralph's wicked ways, and shall purchase accordingly.

Ralph is a cat that, as his owner Sarah puts it is, "sometimes ... very hard to love".He delights in tormenting those around him.When Sarah practices ballet, Ralph makes fun of her.When she has a tea party, he takes precisely one bite out of each cookie.When she's swinging (and I'm not entirely certain that the term "rotten" quite covers this one) he saws off the branches of the tree she hangs from.All this comes to a head when the family, with Ralph in tow, goes to the circus.Ralph engages in out-and-out highly despicable behavior, causing Sarah's father to insist that the fam abandon Ralph to the circus itself.By doing so, Ralph learns humility and how to fend for himself.And when at last he is reunited with the ever-caring Sarah, he tries not to be so very rotten after all. "Except for sometimes when Mother cooked lobster for dinner".

Author Jack Gantos originally wrote this tale in 1976, and it allowed him to jump start his lucrative career as a children's author.Since that time he has gone on to write the incredibly well-written "Joey Pigza" series (if you haven't you MUST run out and read "Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key" at once!) as well as the fabulous young adult autobiography, "Hole In My Life".And it all started with one malicious and very naughty kitty.Ralph's actions are, of course, despicable.In fact, they're often so ludicrously terrible that they strike great guffaws of laughter from the audience.Of course, the story feels like exactly what it is.A writer's first picture book.It's a fine little piece but it doesn't have the ease and sophistication of the later "Ralph" books.In fact, most parents probably wouldn't have even noticed its existence if Mr. Gantos hadn't been paired with illustrator Nichole Rubel.Ms. Rubel has worked on other children's books, it's true.But when she has reached the end of her too brief life and joined the choir invisible, one cannot help but think that what Ms. Rubel will be most remembered for will be her participation in the "Rotten Ralph" series.After all, she imbues him with such life, verve, and wanton (not to say gleeful) destruction that long after reading the story, the image of him is burned deeply into one's brain.Now, the book does suffer from containing zippo people of color (unless you count the questionable fellow on a camel, midway through the tale) so don't expect much in the way of multiculturalism here.Then again, this is a problem through the entire series, so I shouldn't have been too surprised.And the pictures do sometimes strike you as slightly modified William Steigs (later Steig, of course) in their wavy nightmarish way.So if you've a child who fears the wiggly, avoid this book at all costs.

Otherwise, it's a perfectly good story about a perfectly awful pet.Unlike some of the other "Ralph" books, the cat in this tale faces a mighty good comeuppance for his crimes.Kids will enjoy his foibles just as much as they clamor to read about some of his other adventures.A fun and deeply disturbing tale.

Rotten but loveable
Of all the books that I read to my son when he was young, "Rotten Ralph" was one of my--and his--favorites.The artwork is incredible--very kinetic and colorful, a combination of Keith Haring and Outsider Art.The story is written with great wit, and one can sympahize with the poor heroine trying to get her unruly cat to behave--kind of like she's the parent and Ralph's the child.Yeah, Ralph's behavior is really rotten, but Sarah loves him anyway.Sound familiar?Like Maurice Sendak's "Where the Wild Things Are," "Rotten Ralph" project a child's fears to an imaginary realm where they can be dealt with safely.It's a great piece of children's literature.

Bad Kitty!
Ralph is a very bad kitty, as is generally what cats thrive on being.He is often rude, knocks things over, disrupts social occasions, makes sport of preying on pet birds, fish or rodents, and purposely exacerbates the one annoying, albeit universally inherent, trait in dogs:obnoxiousness.After one especially horrid, feline-induced fiasco at the circus, Sarah's father determines that he's had enough of Ralph and gives him the boot.Ralph's consequential homeless journey thus necessitates him a good look inwardly, seeking the key to whatever could possibly save him from being lost forever to his comfortable home and family...

Not so very many years ago, I had the very great pleasure of reading over and over and over, and over immeasurable, this fine tale of haphazardness, naughtiness, chastisement, and redemption.So I'll now tell you a little tale of my own - a personal pathway, of sorts, toward eminent endearment of this sweet little book:

Several years ago, a little child went with her mother and father to a book signing in downtown Chicago.The name of the book escapes me now, but alas, it's irrelevant to this story.John Lydon ("Johnny Rotten" of Sex Pistols fame) was doing the signing for some newly published writing affair at a trendy north side bookstore.As Mr. Rotten has always had a great dedicated following, the line for this book, to be graced with his signature, was immensely long.The little girl, wearing a pink winter coat and purple ribbons in her hair, was the only child present in a snaking line omnipresent in the aisles throughout with multiply tattooed and body-pierced fans.Yet she was neither intimidated nor gainsaid as she quietly recited her favorite nursery rhymes, picking up to browse each prettily covered book she saw.She was ever patient, and even after over an hour of waiting would smile sweetly to strangers' questions and comments as she held onto her mother's hand.

Finally, after what seemed like an infinitesimal wait, she and her parents reached the front portion of the line. Then, all hearts fell as the gentleman just ahead of her family, a tall thin young man with long silky black & blue-streaked hair and an earring was told the featured book had just sold out - that there were absolutely no more copies.Dejected and deflated, all those remaining in the line began to take their leave.

This little girl, however, would have nothing of it."But we came here for a book!" she cried loud enough for anyone in the store to hear, "I want that book!"Before either of her parents could chastise her for this outburst, Mr. Rotten spoke up with that beautifully enunciated British accent he has, and said, "You want a book?I'm sorry...uh, but we...Wait - This child wants a book! - Oh yes, never fear, little one; I will get you a book."A consummate gentleman, he merely snapped his fingers to one of his assistants and pointed to a nearby display at the edge of the children's section, and said, "I want to give her that book."

ROTTEN RALPH was the chosen book's title.My daughter's copy is signed by Johnny Rotten, the inside jacket adorned with a Polaroid photo taken of herself, her new book, and the kindest punk rock star on earth.Truly, upon many a night for perhaps the next two years that followed, ROTTEN RALPH was included in our nightly ritual of bedtime stories.And though our cat George was often annoyed that he was forced to sit, listen and learn, neither my girl nor I ever tired of reading it.

A Bad, Bad Cat
Rotten Ralph is Sarah's bad, bad cat, and she loves him. Her parents tolerate him...until the unforgivable. Ralph ends up on his own, cold, lonely and miserable, and regretting his evil ways. Most of the time.

Extreme, crazy, and a little more than rotten sometimes. The drawings aren't traditional, which makes "Rotten Ralph" even more fun for kids to read and look at.

Hilarious and surprising!
This book is hilarious.The bathos of Ralph's predicament isdevastatingly funny.He deserves everything he gets.During one scene,the author slips in a perhaps unconscious homage to the famous nose episodeof the Brady Bunch, when the owner of a dog is heard to exclaim "mydog!" ... Read more