Cats Kids,Used

From School Library Journal KindergartenGrade 2Children with brothers and sisters will identify with these three short stories about the Cats kids, who behave exactly like human siblings. In winter, Sam, the youngest, gets his feelings hurt, runs away, and is rescued by his older brother Jack. In summer, Jack ignores his chores to go fishing and learns a lesson. In fall, Martha, the eldest, tries out for a play and loses the part to Jack. Through it all, they argue, they tease, they tattle, they pout, but they love and care for one another. The conversations among the kittens and the problems they face echo real daytoday life in a family. The colorful illustrations will charm young readers, and the felines' expressions are especially delightful. Youngsters will fall in love with these characters. A good choice for a readaloud and as a followup to a discussion on how to treat others.Marty Abbott Goodman, L.J. Bell Elementary School, Rockingham, NCCopyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc. Product Description A collection of three heartwarming stories by the author of The Christmas Story captures the heart and soul of young siblings' everyday life. From Publishers Weekly A family of frisky felines make the scene in this picture book containing a trio of sweetnatured stories. Like siblings everywhere, Martha, Jake and Sam bicker and tease one another, but in Chorao's (Little Farm by the Sea) hands, the kittens discover plenty to like about each other as well. In "Red Hat," Jake takes his little brother Sam sledding and once the younger kitten stops "acting like a baby," the two have a great time. But when older sister Martha insists that Jake was babysitting Sam and not just playing with him, Sam runs away. In "Orange Dress," budding thespian Martha longs for the lead role in the school play. Jake coaches her so well with her lines that the teacher chooses him for the part instead. And a case of mistaken identity sets Jake's imagination running in "Black Witch Hat." The kittens' underlying love for each other and the influence of their kind and supportive parents ensure a happy ending to each outing. Chorao's winsome watercolors capture brightly clad kittens with a range of emotions. The realistic tone of the siblings' exchanges contributes to an authentic family dynamic that will strike a note of recognition among readers. Ages 48. Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc. From Booklist In her inimitable and intricate visual style, Chorao depicts the home life of three kitten siblings, who quarrel and complain like brothers and sisters everywhere. She presents three simple tales containing enough reallife drama to capture any child's attention. In the opening story, Jake and Sam Cats bundle up for the snow while big sister, Martha, lounges in front of the TV. Little Sam is so delighted his big brother enjoyed his company that he decides to buy his brother the book Jake has been wanting. When Martha informs Sam that Jake now has the money to buy the book himself, having earned it by taking Sam sledding, Sam is devastated. He runs away, gets lost in the snow, and has to be rescued by Jake. The stories center on Jake, with Martha, the primary female character, coming across as passive and even fearful. But that drawback aside, the tales colorfully convey the strength and the ambivalence of family relationships. Shelley TownsendHudson From Kirkus Reviews This threechapter picture book from Chorao (Little Farm by the Sea, p. 655, etc.) is a surprisingly raw, very true, depiction of sibling interaction, with its highs and lows, and all the inherent pushing and pulling. Here the children are three cats: little Sam, medium Jake, and older Martha. The first chapter follows Sam and Jake as they have a good time playing in the great snowy outdoors. The story turns on Martha's trashing of Sam's good intentions and his discovery that Jake was being paid to take care of him. Th