Curious, mysterious, playful, and dignified – all of these words describe a cat lover’s best friend, and the memorable feline characters in these creative picture books that can easily find a place during storytime – or art class.
Kitten’s Autumn
Autumn’s here – and that means another playful romp through the outdoors for the curious kitten who previously starred in Eugenie Fernandes’ Kitten’s Spring. Told in simple rhyming couplets, this cat picture book actually focuses on a variety of animals – from rabbits to squirrels to hummingbirds, which Kitten watches as they feast on leaves, nuts, and nectar in preparation for the winter ahead.
As with Fernandes’ other “Kitten” books, the artwork is the big draw for these books, which is actually rendered through a combination of self-hardening clay, acrylic paint, and mixed-media collages. Adults will enjoy figuring out which items were used to create the different images of animals and farm scenery while kids can have a fun time spotting where Kitten is hiding in every colorful scene.
A fun read-aloud book for younger kids as well as an intriguing addition to an art teacher’s library, Kitten’s Autumn is another fun entry in Fernandes’ series.
My Cat Isis
Long ago, the Egyptians worshipped the Egyptian goddess Isis as the giver of agriculture, law, and civilization. But for the boy this book, Isis is also the name of his loveable (if at times lazy) cat who might not be a goddess – but is loved by her owners just as much.
Cat lovers and young Egyptologists will enjoy the offbeat parallels between Isis and her divine namesake as author Catherine Austen lists interesting facts about the Egyptian goddess (who began as a minor deity but grew more popular with every generation) and contrasts her with Isis the cat (who started out as the runt of her litter but grew bigger and stronger thanks to her owners).
And while the comparisons don’t always match up (Isis the goddess ruled over two o’clock in the afternoon while Isis the cat is usually sleeping at that time), they remain a fun and memorable way to celebrate the life of a pet cat while also sharing tidbits of knowledge about Egyptian myth.
Picture book lovers will also enjoy artist Virginie Egger’s creative approach to the illustrations, which are comprised of surprisingly realistic paper collages of cats, as well as acrylic paint and colored ink.
The Day Tiger Rose Said Goodbye
Lovely to both read and look at, The Day Tiger Rose Said Goodbye is the bittersweet tale of an old cat taking one final journey through her beloved home as she nears the end of her life.
Realizing her body has grown too tired to remain in her country home, Tiger Rose decides to say goodbye to the human children she grew up with, the chipmunks that shared her favorite shady spots, and even a nest of baby starlings new to the world. And while few of her friends acknowledge her parting purrs, she finds comfort in these farewells before finally settling down and allowing her spirit to leap into the sky – where she becomes one with all.
Told through a series of gentle paintings and lyrical narration, The Day Tiger Rose Said Goodbye is a wise story that celebrates both the peace found in death and the beauty inherent in life. Nowhere in this story is there a trace of regret or even sadness as Tiger Rose visits her favorite people and places for one last time – indeed, each event seems more precious for its finality.
More than a picture book for cat lovers, The Day Tiger Rose Said Goodbye is an excellent story that paints death as not only a natural event but also a beautiful one for those who take the time to celebrate the joys of life.
Find more picture books about animals at Funny Animal Picture Books, Child Picture Books with Fun Illustrations, and Storytelling Books for Kids with Bears.
Sources:
- Austen, Catherine and Virginie Egger. My Cat Isis. Toronto: Kids Can Press, 2011. ISBN: 978-1-55453-413-5
- Fernandes, Eugenie. Kitten’s Autumn. Toronto: Kids Can Press, 2010. ISBN: 978-1-55453-341-1
- Yolen, Jane and Jim La Marche. The Day Tiger Rose Said Goodbye. New York: Random House, 2011. ISBN: 978-0-375-86663-0
Michael Jung - Michael Jung is a professional writer, children’s literature specialist, and online book dealer whose articles, reviews, interviews, ...
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