Synopses & Reviews
In cut-paper artist Nikki McClureand#8217;s latest picture book, a kitten practices the basics of feline behavior over the course of a day. A single word of text per spread teaches readers and#147;how to be a catand#8221;and#151;how to stretch, clean, pounce, feastand#151;while the striking paper cuts illustrate the kittenand#8217;s attempts to imitate an adult catand#8217;s mastery of each skill. At times the kitten triumphantly succeeds, and at other times the kitten struggles, in vignettes that range from whimsical to profound.
A celebration of all things feline, How to Be a Cat also tells a universal story of mastering life skills, and of the sometimes tender, sometimes stern relationship between parent and child, teacher and pupil. Cat lovers of all ages will connect to this loving portrayal of a mentor-student relationship.
Praise for How to Be a Cat
STARRED REVIEWS
"Purrrrfect for beginning readers and little artists with an eye for fine cut-paper compositions and craftsmanship."
and#151;Kirkus Reviews, starred review
"A delightful picture book in every way. Beginning with the paw-print endpapers, youngsters will know that they are in for an adventure. The simplicity and flow of page design are beautifully done as viewers follow a kitten and his mother as she teaches him basic feline behavior."
and#151;School Library Journal, starred review
"McClure's cut-paper spreads can be mesmerizing."
and#151;Publishers Weekly
"McClure wonderfully captures the shape and movement of the feline form, and kids will also enjoy pointing out the blue and white butterflies and the black-capped chickadee that also appear on several pages."
and#151;The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
"Perfect for cat lovers of all ages, the book helps us reconnect with memories of our own jouney of growth and learning."
and#151;Cat Fancy
and#160;
Review
"The combination of Carle's unique cut-paper collage pictures and easy to read text make it a great story for even the youngest children." Alternative Family
Synopsis
A whole new generation of readers will delight in discovering Have You Seen My Cat?, Eric Carle's charming story of a boy searching for his cat that ends with a surprise. Carle's trademark cut-paper illustrations are bright and perfectly suited to this board book format.
Synopsis
In this charming board book adaptation of Eric Carle's popular story, Have You Seen My Cat?, little boy worries about his missing cat and travels to different places in search of his pet. The sturdy pages of this board book slide out to reveal the numerous feline counterparts--including lions, leopards, and tigers--the boy encounters along the way. It isn't until the last page that he finds his missing pet--and receives a wonderful surprise
Synopsis
A little boy's cat is missing and he is worried. Beautiful illustrations and a brief, easy-to-read text lead small readers on a round-the-world quest for the lost cat, and to an ending that is a wonderful surprise. Along the way, the little boy meets a wide variety of people, all trying to be helpful, and sees many beautiful members of the cat family strikingly pictured in Eric Carle's distinctive collage technique.
This popular book, first published more than a decade ago, has now been completely re-illustrated by Eric Carle and is more appealing than ever. We are proud to re-introduce it now for the delight of a new generation of readers.
About the Author
Eric Carle well-known creator of many beloved picture books for small readers and listeners, including such classics as
Papa, Please Get the Moon for Me, The Tiny Seed, Rooster's Off to See the World, A House for Hermit Crab, and
The Very Hungry Caterpillar. He is especially celebrated for his unique ability to combine learning with pleasure. Children delight in the distinctive beauty of his illustrations -- richly layered collages in glowing colors -- and they love his entertaining stories, which invite them to make their own discoveries in a natural, joyful way.
Born in Syracuse, New York, Eric Carle received much of his education in Germany. He is a graduate of the Akademie der bildenden KÜnste in Stuttgart, where he learned about Goethe's color theory and complementary colors. Eric Carle has two grown children. He and his wife live in western Massachusetts.