TABBY MCTAT THE MUSICAL CAT by Julia Donaldson

Donaldson, Julia. Tabby McTat The Musical Cat. Illus. Axel Scheffler. London: Arthur A. Levine Books, 2009. ISBN 978-0-545-45168-0. $16.99 US /$18.99 CAN.

Tabby McTat The Musical Cat is the story of a cat and his master, a busker named Fred. They enjoy singing songs and collecting money from people on the street.

The story starts out happy and ends happy. However, the ending is not completely happy; Tabby McTat does not go back to his wife and her owners Prunella and Pat. The story is happy in that Tabby McTat is reunited with Fred. I thought the story was sad in that Fred and Tabby were trying to find each other but were unable to do so. Also, Fred breaks his leg when he chases after the thief.

Tabby McTat The Musical Cat uses a lot of rhyme. For example, “this and that” rhymes with “old checked hat.” “Sat” rhymes with “cat.” “Chat” rhymes with “cat.” “Chase” rhymes with “lace.” “Head” rhymes with “bed.” “Black” rhymes with “back.” “Old Fred” rhymes with “hospital bed.” “Pat,” “mat,” “flat,” and “bat” rhyme, so do “Grew” and “mew” and “tabby-gray fur” and “very loud purr.” “Susan and Soames” and “very good homes” rhyme, as does “Tabby McTat” and long-lost cat!”

In addition to rhyme, Tabby McTat The Musical Cat uses repetition. For example, on the first page of text “perfectly” is repeated three times, although the last time says “PURRR-fectly.” When the thief enters the story, “it” is repeated. When Tabby McTat is separated from Fred, “on” is repeated.

The author is also alliterative. The third sentence of the first page reads: “The two of them sang of this and that.” Fred eats bacon and bread; bacon and bread both begin with “B.” When Tabby McTat meets Sock, Sock is described as “A gorgeously glossy and green-eyed cat.” When Sock and McTat talk, it’s described as a “cat-to-cat chat.” When the thief steals the hat, there is a ton of words beginning with “H”: “had,” “his,” “hat,” and “he.” When Fred pursues the thief, the author uses the words “chase” and” crash” and “broke” and “banged.” Sock’s owners are named Prunella and Pat. McTat enjoys pouncing on Pat.

Overall, I thought Tabby McTat The Musical Cat was a good picture book. I liked the interaction between the cats and their owners. As the daughter of a musician, I also liked the musical aspect of the story.

Carly Krewitsky

CHATO'S KITCHEN by Gary Soto

Soto, Gary. Chato’s Kitchen. Illus. Susan Guevara. New York City: G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 1995. ISBN 0-399-22658-3. $16.99. Ages 6-11.

This creative tale spun by famous author Gary Soto is a warm, inviting picture book about unlikely friends. Chato is a low-riding cat in “East Los” (East LA) who loves to eat birds. While he is sneaking up on a sparrow, he spots a family of mice moving in next door. He invites them over for dinner, planning to eat them. After much discussion, the mice decide to join Chato for dinner. Much to Chato’s surprise, the family of mice brings a dog with them. Chato is scared of the dog at first, but Mami mouse convinces him that their canine companion is friendly. In the end, the cats, mice, and dog enjoy a delicious meal together.

Chato’s Kitchen is a fictional picture book. It is written in English, but has many Spanish words sprinkled throughout. These italicized words bring the reader’s attention to colloquial Spanish phrases, terminology, and traditional food. They bring a distinctly Latin flavor to the book which allows the reader to enter into Chato’s urban East Los Angeles world. The Spanish words are written in the same font and size as the English words, and they appear in italics in the text. The font size is clear, visible, and legible on every page. The English words are written in academic language, but the Spanish words are Mexican slang intended to draw readers into the main character’s experience as an East Los Angeles cat. The words are inoffensive, and teachers could still use the book for a lesson. If a bilingual teacher felt that any one word would offend a certain population, it would not be difficult for that teacher to simply translate the word to a less offensive English word.

This book has wonderful illustrations. It allows the reader to comprehend the way the barrio looks and helps aid in story comprehension. Drawings are more literal than abstract, and therefore language learners would be able to follow the plot of the story by looking at the pictures. The book does not rhyme, and there is little repetition, but it would be a good study in descriptive language and adjectives. The rich descriptions and adjectives pull the reader into the world that the author intended to expose. The first page of the book contains not only a glossary but also an explanation of the traditional Mexican food that Chato makes for the mice.

The writing is of a thoughtfully calculated and extremely high quality, and the characters are carefully selected to depict interactions between different types of people as represented through cats, dogs, and mice. The plot is one that young readers can understand, and older students can discuss the interactions between different types of people in Los Angeles. Overall, this is a high-quality piece of literature that can introduce students of any ethnic background to a vibrant community much like their own. Social studies themes abound in this book. Teachers could do a lesson on ethnic foods served in the students’ families or a study on different ethnic groups in Los Angeles.

 Gary Soto is a well-known author of books and poems for children and adults. He has won many awards for his various literary works, including being a finalist for the National Book Award, the Bess Hokin Prize and the Levinson Award. In 1999, he received the Literature Award from the Hispanic Heritage Foundation, the Author-Illustrator Civil Rights Award from the National Education Association, and the PEN Center West Book Award for Petty Crimes (www.garysoto.com). This book is part of a series of picture books featuring Chato. The other books are titled Chato and the Party Animals and Chato Goes Cruisin’ (which was voted one of the "Ten best illustrated books” by the New York Times in 2005).

Reviewed by Rachel McLemore


This review is part of the Special Section: Books in Spanish, featuring a collaboration with Policy and Language Studies students at San Diego State University. Read more about it here.

THE BEST CAT by Valeri Gorbachev

Gorbachev, Valeri. The Best Cat. Illustrated by Valeri Gorbachev. Somerville: Candlewick Press, 2010. ISBN 978-0-7636-3675-3. $15.99.

An ostensible story about the beloved family cat, Bootsy, the text is actually an altercation between brother and sister, performed in front of Grandma, Dad, Mom and Grandpa, using Bootsy a centerpiece. In what must be, in a family of confident children, a sometimes trying sibling rivalry, brother Jeff imagines Bootsy the cat to be the best of many things (clown, ballerina, fisherman), while sister Ginny counters with reasons why Jeff is wrong.

Jeff never loses his Peter Pan-like charismatic conceit, projected onto beloved Bootsy. Ginny enjoys playing the killjoy to Jeff’s “Lookit me” enthusiasm for Bootsy, by assuming the “Not so” attitude of a better-informed realist. However, despite her superior putdowns, Ginny is as imaginative as Jeff: the reason Bootsy can’t be the world’s best ballerina, for example, is not because she can’t dance ballet, but because she wouldn’t like wearing a tutu. Betsy never argues that Bootsy isn’t anthropomorphically capable of being the best at anything. Humor saves these two siblings from being truly irritating children, as their fantasy, rooted in love for their cat, takes on charm—especially in Gorbachev’s subtly drawn facial expressions.

Harmony is achieved on the last page when both agree that “Bootsy is the best cat in the world.”

Alexandra Boyer

A CAT LIKE THAT by Wendy Wahman

Wahman, Wendy. A Cat Like That. Illustrated by Wendy Wahman. New York: Henry Holt & Co, 2011. ISBN 978-0-8050-8942-4. 

The first-person narrator of this bright and lively book is a cat who speculates about all the traits it would pick (or not pick) in a human best friend: playing games with a paper bag, not dropping it to see if cats land on their feet, etc. The author obviously knows cats intimately—when I got to the page about a best friend who would scratch “Ooh aaah! The base of my tail. Right there!” I could imagine my cat Oogie purring from head to tail-tip.

Besides being good entertainment for any cat-loving child (and what child isn’t?), A Cat Like That is an excellent reminder to preschoolers about how to treat the family pet. Many of the characteristics the narrator would seek in its best friend are actually warnings against negative behavior, stated in a positive way: for example, “My friend would let me hide in my secret place…and dine in peace…” Other remarks emphasize the happiness and attachment a cat shares with its ideal best friend, like sending kisses by blinking eyes.

The nimble drawings look deceptively simple, with whimsical spirals, flowers, and spiky curls—they capture the playful yet respectful relationship of an inquisitive, affectionate human with a cool, whiskery, clawed and furry friend. The poster colors are big on orange, blue, purple and yellow. Altogether, the book attracts both child and adult like a friendly but self-possessed cat looking the reader in the eye, hoping for a better acquaintance.

Alexandra Boyer

HUG TIME by Patrick McDonnell

McDonnell, Patrick. Hug Time. Illus. Patrick McDonnell. NY: Little, Brown & Co., 2012. ISBN: 978-0-31618-295-9. $6.99. Board Book. Ages 0-2.


Patrick McDonnell’s Hug Time is now available as a board book. This oh-so-delightful rhyming picture book follows a little kitten named Jules (as seen in McDonnell’s MUTTS comic strip) on a trek around the globe. What is driving this furry feline’s adventure? Why, only his desire to give the whole world a hug, of course!

McDonnell’s writing is simple and sweet. His soft rhymes have a natural flow to them, which make the book perfect for reading out loud. And the story’s soothing message of peace and love is ideal for a cozy bedtime setting. McDonnell introduces his readers to the most endearing and empathetic little kitten. And Jules’ genuine care for this world is almost as inspiring as it is heartwarming.

Of course, McDonnell’s illustrations are what really make this story a smash. With so few words, each page of colorful drawings carries the reader along Jules’ journey. McDonnell’s strokes may seem simple, but they create an abundance of life and personality. Every animal that Jules encounters seems to be more animated than the last, due to their detailed and differing facial expressions. The animals have very distinctive demeanors, and yet they are all adorable. With just a few lines, McDonnell can create an exceedingly life-like expression of calm, delight, surprise, or indifference (as with the giraffe, who seems entirely unfazed by the little kitten clutching his nose in a hug). Each animal is beautifully depicted, and each page presents something lovely for young eyes to devour.

While Hug Time is still available in hardcover, this new sturdy board book format makes it the perfect gift to give to any newborn you may know.

Caitlin Kennedy

TUMFORD THE TERRIBLE by Nancy Tillman

Tillman, Nancy. Tumford the Terrible. New York: Feiwel and Friends, 2011. ISBN: 978-0-312-36840-1. $16.99.

This book caught my eye because of the kitty with the “uh oh” expression peeking out from the bottom of the cover. Tillman’s gorgeous watercolor illustrations and the fun rhyming of this engaging story made me so glad that I picked it up.
Characterized with a charming mix of impish cat and curious toddler traits, TumfordStoutt (Tummy for short) isn’t a bad cat, but he always seems to get into trouble. His human parents (Georgy and Violet Stoutt) love him, no matter what mischief he makes, but they are having a hard time convincing Tummy to apologize instead of hiding whenever he makes a mess.

Throughout the story, Tillman incorporates perfect moments for other endearing little troublemakers to guess what happens next. Her illustrations – especially ofour hero’s dramatic facial expressions as he gets into various sorts of trouble and then hides (in a bag, in the garden, on a toy shelf trying to blend in among the teddy bears…)– bring the story to life as we witness Tummy’s tumultuous escapades.

I highly recommend this picture book for anyone who knows a cat, a toddler, or someone of any age who has trouble apologizing.

Emily Moore

SWIM! SWIM! by James Proimos

Proimos, James. Swim! Swim! New York: Scholastic, Inc, 2010. ISBN: 978-0-545-19419-1. $16.99. Ages 4-7

Big blocks of color are the best part of this picture book about a lonely goldfish who looks for a friend. Some pages are framed in foursquare panels. The typeface is too rough and doesn’t match the smooth lines of some of the drawings. All of the text is shown in dialogue bubbles next to the goldfish. The tone is that of a comic book and the fish’s conclusion that no one loves him is surprising. The loneliness is depicted on that two-page spread by a solid grey background around a smaller-sized fish on the page. The midpoint of the book with solitude quickly jumps to action as a hungry cat preys on the goldfish. But the cat puts the lonely goldfish with another goldfish and the two become friends. The reversal of cat as villain to nice guy is a pleasant surprise.

Linda Salem