120. Anatole and the Cat

Anatole and the Cat (Anatole #2) Eve Titus. Illustrated by Paul Galdone. 1957. 32 pages. [Source: Library] [Link to cover image] 

First sentence: In all France there was no mouse more honored or respected than Anatole. He was very proud of his job as Cheese Taster at the factory of M'sieu Duval. Nobody knew that he was not a man but a mouse, not even M'sieu Duval, for he did his work after the others went home.  

Premise/plot: Anatole is Vice President in charge of tasting all the cheese. (What a job!) But his job security--and his life--is threatened by the presence of an unexpected cat in the factory. The owner has a cat that is, well, stubborn. Anatole writes M. Duval and tells him the cat must go or he will. If the boss can't keep his cat under control, maybe just maybe Anatole can bell that cat!

My thoughts: These two Anatole books are AWESOME. I really loved both books. I adore the illustrations. Highly recommended.

© 2023 Becky Laney of Young Readers

119. Anatole

Picture book: Anatole (Anatole #1) Eve Titus. Illustrated by Paul Galdone. 1956. 40 pages. [Source: Library] [Link to cover image]

First sentence: In all France there was no happier, more contented mouse than Anatole. He lived in a small mouse village near Paris with his dear wife Doucette and their six charming children--Paul and Paulette, Claude and Claudette, George and Georgette. 

Premise/plot: Anatole is flustered, to say the least, when he learns that humans think of mice as vermin. He decides to 'redeem' the way things are--mice sneaking human food. He goes to a cheese factory prepared. He brings typed notes (flags, I believe). Extra-'Specially Good, 'Specially Good, Good, Not So Good, No Good. He will stick these flags/notes into each cheese he samples. He'll also write additional notes sharing his opinions. M. Duvall is surprised but ultimately pleased. He listens to Anatole's advice and his sales increase. Anatole has a gift for what makes a great cheese great. M. Duvall invites Anatole to continue visiting the factory and helping out. He even leaves extra snacks and treats. (Of course, he doesn't know Anatole is a mouse exactly). Anatole is therefore honorably able to provide for his family. It's a win-win situation...

My thoughts: I LOVED this one. I loved it so much!!! It is one of those that is practically perfect in every way. I loved the text, the story. I loved the illustrations. What a fun world Eve Titus created! 

I really loved the five categories Anatole uses. I might even use those categories instead of stars. Maybe.

© 2023 Becky Laney of Young Readers

42. The Sheep, the Rooster, and the Duck

The Sheep, the Rooster, and The Duck. Matt Phelan. 2022. 240 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: A carriage drawn by a single horse sped down a forest road. 

Premise/plot: The Sheep, the Rooster, and the Duck is historical fantasy set in nineteenth century France. (The prologue is set in 1783, the main action occurs two years later.) In some ways, it can best be described as animal fantasy. It does star a talking sheep, rooster, and duck after all. But it is so much more than that. The animals enlist two young children--a boy and a girl--to help them battle evil, if you will. The plot centers around protecting Benjamin Franklin (who is still in France) and to some extent saving the world. So it's animal fantasy, but it's more than animal fantasy if that makes any kind of sense.

My thoughts: I wanted to love this one. I did. I thought it sounded outlandish yet perfectly delightful. Yet it remains an almost for me. I almost fell head over heels in love with the characters. I almost fell in with the logic of this one. But for whatever reason it left me puzzled and confused here and there. Not a lot. Just a tad bit here, a tiny bit there. Enough that it started to add up slowly but surely. Perhaps a second reading would help. OR perhaps if the book included a list of characters and the tiniest clues to help me keep every person well placed in my mind. I understand the book is supposed to be about possible spies and definite deceptions and possible betrayals and such. So perhaps readers are supposed to be left guessing???

I still enjoyed this one more than not. Just not wholeheartedly.

 

© 2022 Becky Laney of Young Readers

Marguerite Makes a Book

Marguerite Makes a Book. Bruce Robertson. Illustrated by Kathryn Hewitt. 1999. 44 pages. [Source: Bought]

First sentence:  In a small house in Paris, nearly six hundred years ago, lived a man who made beautiful books. His name was Jacques the Painter, but he was affectionately known as Papa Jacques because he was the oldest and most famous book painter in all of Paris.

Premise/plot: Marguerite Makes a Book is a picture book for older readers. It is set in the Middle Ages in France. The heroine is a young girl, Marguerite, the daughter of a book painter--or illustrator. When her father becomes unable to finish his work, she steps up to completes his order. She knows just what to do and how to do it. In fact her own embellishments make it even more beautiful.

My thoughts: This one is text-HEAVY. It is definitely for older readers. The text is packed with details and information--fascinating stuff for the most part. Not every reader will be interested in book making or this time period in general. But for those that are--it's an excellent read.

Text: 4 out of 5
Illustrations: 4 out of 5
Total: 7 out of 10

© 2019 Becky Laney of Young Readers

I Don't Want To Go To School

Blake, Stephanie. 2009. I Don't Want To Go To School. Random House. (Translated by Whitney Stahlberg)

This is a fun little book about going to school starring Simon the "Super" Rabbit.

There once was a mischievous little rabbit named Simon. With a big smile, his mother told him, "Tomorrow is your first day of school, my dear!"

Simon answered, "No way!"

Simon answers, "No way!" a lot throughout the book. He is one nervous rabbit. One of my favorite sequences is when Simon can't fall asleep that night. In a series of comic-strip-like illustrations, we see Simon alternates between being scared and not scared. But rather Simon likes it or not, the day comes and he's off to school...in spite of his continuing protests. Will Simon like school? Will he love learning new things? Meeting new people? Read and see for yourself in I Don't Want To Go To School!

© Becky Laney of Young Readers