121. The Kitten Who Thought He Was A Mouse

Picture Book: (Golden Book) The Kitten Who Thought He Was A Mouse. Miriam Norton. Illustrated by Garth Williams. 1951. 22 pages. [Source: Library] [Link to cover image]

First sentence: There were five Miggses: Mother and Father Miggs, and Lester and two sisters. They had, as field mice usually do, an outdoor nest for summer in an empty lot and an indoor nest for winter in a nearby house. They were very surprised one summer day to find a strange bundle in their nest, a small gray and black bundle of fur and ears and legs, with eyes not yet open. They knew by its mewing that the bundle must be a kitten, a lost kitten with no family and no name.

Premise/plot: Mickey is the kitten raised as a mouse. He goes many months thinking--believing--that he is a mouse. He's raised to fear cats, to watch for cats. So what happens when the human family discovers him, starts feeding him, and shows him--via a mirror--that he IS a cat. Can he overcome the confusion? Will he choose to live as a mouse or a cat? How will he feel about his adopted family? 

My thoughts: I'll be honest the text was all over the place. I'm all for nature versus nurture. (Though it isn't always my favorite or best theme. My favorite of this type being LAMBERT THE SHEEPISH LION which is just pure awesomeness.) I loved, loved, loved the illustrations by Garth Williams. Garth Williams illustrating cute and adorable cats, kittens, and mice?!?! I'm there for it. I'd read it for his illustrations alone.

© 2023 Becky Laney of Young Readers

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

118. Oh No, The Aunts Are Here

Picture Book: Oh No, the Aunts Are Here. Adam Rex. Illustrated by Lian Cho. 2023. [May] 40 pages. [Source: Library] [Link to cover image]

First sentence: STOP. Do you hear that? Something's coming. They're getting closer. They're snapping shut their purses and stepping out of shuttles from the airport. Oh No. The aunts are here.

Premise/plot: A little girl is distressed (slight exaggeration) by her four visiting aunts. Do they stay a weekend? a week? a lifetime? Probably closer to a weekend. But for this little girl who does not appreciate her aunts, it may seem like a lifetime. 

The point of view from this one, I believe, is meant to humorous and solely from the point of view of the young child. The humor is definitely at the aunts' expense for better or worse. This little one does NOT really like the disruption. (Or the fact that her aunts have an interest in quilts, quilts, and more quilts).

My thoughts: Will children find this one amusing? Maybe. Maybe not. Will adults? Again, I think it depends on your own perspective. This one had some humorous lines--no doubt. But overall, it isn't necessarily written from the point of view that aunts are awesome. (More like aunts are bothersome.) 

The illustrations seem a little over the top, exaggerated. Definitely emphasizing the humor and comedy.

 

© 2023 Becky Laney of Young Readers

117. Truffle: A Dog (And Cat) Story

Picture book: Truffle: A Dog (And Cat) Story. David McPhail. 2023. [June] 40 pages. [Source: Review copy] [Link to Cover Image] 

First sentence: Truffle was born on a farm.

Premise/plot: This picture book is a "biography" of Truffles, a dog who only slowly--oh so slowly--began to change his opinion on cats. This dog was a cat-hater for many, many, many years. In fact, he wanted to travel to a place where there were NO CATS. (The travel agent said, no, such a place doesn't exist!) How does a dog come to have a cat for a best, best friend???

My thoughts: This picture book has an old fashioned [delightfully old-fashioned] vibe. It does read more like a biography than most picture books. There is story, but it goes at its own pace. I don't mind the slower pace. I enjoyed the illustrations and the story. I LOVE the direction the story goes. I love the inclusion of tea, for example. I don't know that this one will have much appeal to young children--or masses of young children. It's not your typical book. But I--as an adult--really enjoyed it.

 

© 2023 Becky Laney of Young Readers