Synopses & Reviews
This delightful picture book with Emily Gravettand#8217;s signature twist ending sweetly depicts the relationship between a child and her beloved pet.andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;Matilda is desperate to figure out what her cat will enjoy. She tries everything she can think of: climbing trees, playing with wool, even tea parties and dress-up games, but as Matilda gets more and more creative in her entertainment attempts, her cat moves from unimpressed to terrified. Will Matilda ever figure out what her cat likes?andlt;BRandgt; andlt;BRandgt;In the style of andlt;Iandgt;Dogs andlt;/Iandgt;and andlt;Iandgt;Monkey and andlt;/Iandgt;andlt;I andgt;Meandlt;/Iandgt;, this young picture book from Emily Gravett is an insightful, fond, and funny look at the relationship between a little girl and her cat thatand#8217;s sure to strike a chord with anyone whoand#8217;s ever loved a pet.
Review
Gravettand#8217;s humor generally runs from giddy to Gothic; in this story, itand#8217;s toward the sweeter end of the spectrum.
Review
A master of animal countenance, Gravett pairs an expressive cat with a busy kid and winks at the difference between textual and visual message...the shrewd and skillful art implies sly underlying affection even when the catand#8217;s nonplussed, worried or asleep. Even Matildaand#8217;s cat would like this.
Review
"[Matilda] resembles Sendakand#8217;s Max both in her furry outfit and clamorous demeanor...The contradiction between the text and the put-upon catand#8217;s comical expressions is the real hoot here, and young pet owners will particularly relate to Matildaand#8217;s desire to have her cat behave according to her whims."
Review
"Gravettand#8217;s charming pictures of the determined girl and her skeptical cat are full of funny details as the two struggle to figure out what they have in common."
Review
*"The interplay between Emily Gravett's text and artwork are as humorous as the interactions of Matilda and her cat...Every child will be able to relate to Matilda's comical attempts to lure in her cat, and her complete inability to do so."
Review
"The energetic watercolor artwork is pure Gravett, with plenty of visual jokes and with charactersand#8212;girl and catand#8212;who express their feelings with every fiber of their being."
About the Author
Emily Gravett is the author of many critically acclaimed books, including the Kate Greenaway Awardandndash;winning andlt;iandgt;Wolvesandlt;/iandgt; and andlt;iandgt;Little Mouseandrsquo;s Big Book of Fearsandlt;/iandgt;. She is also the author and illustrator of andlt;iandgt;Again!andlt;/iandgt; (shortlisted for the Kate Greenaway Award), andlt;iandgt;Wolf Wonandrsquo;t Bite!andlt;/iandgt;, andlt;iandgt;Blue Chameleonandlt;/iandgt;, andlt;iandgt;The Rabbit Problemandlt;/iandgt;, andlt;iandgt;Dogsandlt;/iandgt;, andlt;iandgt;Spellsandlt;/iandgt;, andlt;iandgt;The Odd Eggandlt;/iandgt;, andlt;iandgt;Monkey and Meandlt;/iandgt;, andlt;iandgt;Orange Pear Apple Bearandlt;/iandgt;, and andlt;iandgt;Meerkat Mailandlt;/iandgt;. She lives in Brighton, England, with her family. Visit her at EmilyGravett.com.Emily Gravett is the author of many critically acclaimed books, including the Kate Greenaway Awardandndash;winning andlt;iandgt;Wolvesandlt;/iandgt; and andlt;iandgt;Little Mouseandrsquo;s Big Book of Fearsandlt;/iandgt;. She is also the author and illustrator of andlt;iandgt;Again!andlt;/iandgt; (shortlisted for the Kate Greenaway Award), andlt;iandgt;Wolf Wonandrsquo;t Bite!andlt;/iandgt;, andlt;iandgt;Blue Chameleonandlt;/iandgt;, andlt;iandgt;The Rabbit Problemandlt;/iandgt;, andlt;iandgt;Dogsandlt;/iandgt;, andlt;iandgt;Spellsandlt;/iandgt;, andlt;iandgt;The Odd Eggandlt;/iandgt;, andlt;iandgt;Monkey and Meandlt;/iandgt;, andlt;iandgt;Orange Pear Apple Bearandlt;/iandgt;, and andlt;iandgt;Meerkat Mailandlt;/iandgt;. She lives in Brighton, England, with her family. Visit her at EmilyGravett.com.