Oldies: Have You Seen My Cat?

Have You Seen My Cat?
Written and illustrated by Eric Carle

Original publication: Franklin Watts (1973)

Republished as an early reader series "The World of Eric Carle"
ISBN: 978-1442445741
Publisher: Simon Spotlight
Date of publication: May 1, 2012
Age: 3 - 5 years

Themes: cats, world travel, surprise,

A little boy worries about his missing cat and travels to different places in search of his pet. The boy encounters numerous feline counterparts as he searches, including lions, leopards, and tigers—but none of these are his! When he finally finds his cat, she has a surprise waiting.

Simon Spotlight has created a really nice collection of Eric Carle's work, and made them easily available for beginning readers. Most of Carle's work, after all, is simple in its style. For this particular book, they classified its reading level as "Pre-Level 1" and I actually agree; this has very simple text and plot. It has the same sentences on each page spread. I'd venture to guess that a child would actually memorize the book before actually reading it. But that's not necessarily bad—in some cases, that gives a child the confidence they need to try other books. So yes, as a pre-pre-reader, this book definitely fits the bill.

As for the overall story, I actually liked it. With such a simple plot, the illustrations still have a lot of detail and educational content. Carle introduces all kinds of cats from around the world. The publisher includes a cheat sheet at the end with each cat's species.

So if you're looking for the truest of beginning readers, this book is a great start. It's a good step up to some of Carle's more complex books and other early readers in general.

My rating: ★★★★

Find it at your library or on Amazon

Oldies: Mr. Putter & Tabby Pour the Tea

Mr. Putter & Tabby Pour the Tea
Written by Cynthia Rylant, illustrated by Arthur Howard

My rating: ★★★★

ISBN: 978-0152009014
Publisher: HMH Books
Date of publication: March 30, 1994
Age: Grades K - 3

Themes: old age, friendship, pets, cats

Mr. Putter lives all alone in a big white house with a porch. He has no one to share his English muffins. He has no one to share his tea. He has no one to listen to his stories. And he has the most wonderful stories to tell. Mr. Putter is tired of living alone. He wants company. But company is hard to find. And then he meets Tabby...

Even though the first book in the series was written 20 years ago, this was my first time picking up a Mr. Putter & Tabby book. Which is a real shame, seeing as it is a continuing series and the most recent picked up a Geisel Honor award this year. But back to reviewing this book...

It made me laugh out loud (like, quite loudly). It made me feel sappy. It made me appreciate the simple things. I thought it was wonderful and I loved it. But these are all my own personal reactions. As for why I didn't just give the book a straight-up 5-star rating was that I have a bit of trouble imagining it being quite as enjoyed by younger readers. This first book in the series is about, quite frankly, a lonely old man. Which isn't quite the action-driven plot needed capture a young or reluctant reader. I laughed at the old-man jokes—will kids? I don't know.

The characters are fun and believable. I do appreciate the simple text (no crazy vocabulary) and small chapters. The ultimate friendship created and humor shared make it something I would recommend, though I wouldn't be offended if every kid didn't love it. So it's up to the reader.

Readalikes include Rylant's other early chapter books about pet adventures: Henry & Mudge, and Annie & Snowball.

Find it at your library or on Amazon

Oldies: Frog and Toad Are Friends

Frog and Toad Are Friends
Written and illustrated by Arnold Lobel

Harper & Row (1970)
Age: Grades 1 - 4

Themes: friendship, helpfulness, care,

Frog and Toad are the best of friends. Whether one of them is sick, lost a button, or wants a letter, they'll help each other out. Of course, they have their funny moments—but that's just what keeps things fun. Here are five chapters of their adventures.

Before Elephant & Piggie, my love resided with Frog and Toad. And it's the same theme: one is a little more uptight and serious (Toad) while one is always looking for fun (Frog). So together, it makes for a perfect story.

I love the illustrations because they're simple, yet well done (they did garner a Caldecott honor). Which matches the simple text. It can get a little monotonous, but it has really great repetition and vocabulary for beginning readers. While Elephant & Piggie are definitely better at getting emotion across, Frog & Toad have some much more involved stories.

So, in case you're curious, my rating is: ★★★★

Find it at your library or on Amazon

Oldies: Pippi Longstocking

Pippi Longstocking
Astrid Lindgren
Original illustrations by Ingrid Vang Nyman

Rabén & Sjögren (1945, Sweden)
First translated and sold in the US in 1950
Age: Grades 2 - 6
Genre: Fantasy (ish)

Themes: eccentricity, independence, friendship, behavior,

After travelling the seas with her father--who was washed away in a storm--Pippi Longstocking takes a suitcase of gold and her pet monkey, Mr. Nilsson, to live on her own in Villa Villekulla. She soon becomes friends with her very polite neighbors, Tommy and Annika. The two soon grow to admire Pippi and her fearless antics, outspoken opinions, and spirited enthusiasm as they go on adventures together, including school, the circus, and a birthday party. They can always count on Pippi to do the unexpected.

She's traveled the world, had very little formal education, and grown up around a bunch of sailors; she's very eccentric. And weird. The book is weird. And yet...her fearlessness and unabashed antics do elicit some admiration. She's a superhero in her own right. She does what no one else can, and thus, she is a beloved classic character. I'm glad I finally sat down to read it through.

I think kids can still enjoy it today. Each chapter is a short story in itself, so it's great for teachers to read aloud to a class (works for 2nd or 3rd grade), to read as bedtime stories at home, or for beginning chapter-book readers to try on their own. It's a classic, it's funky, and I like it.

In case you're curious, my rating is: ★★★

Find it at your library or on Amazon

Oldies: Bunnicula

Bunnicula
(Bunnicula and Friends #1)
Deborah and James Howe
Illustrations by Alan Daniel

Atheneum (1979)
Age: Grades 3 - 7
Genre: Mystery

Themes: vampires, pets, vegetables, misunderstandings

Harold the dog and Chester the cat are the beloved pets of the Monroe family, until the day the family brings home a suspicious looking rabbit and name it Bunnicula. The boys love it, but Chester is not so sure. And then there are the colorless, sucked-dry vegetables being left in the kitchen. With his fangs, nocturnal wanderings, and strange markings in his fur, is Bunnicula a vampire or not?

It's a classic, and I'll be honest, this was a reread. Because it makes me laugh! And I love books that make me laugh. With just the right amount of mystery, spook, and humor, the Howes deliver a fantastic story. Is it just a coincidence that the family found him while out to see Dracula at the movie theater? Can their be vampire rabbits? Well you'll just have to read it to find out. Definitely recommended. It's part of a series, too, so kids will have more to read after they finish this one.

So, if you're curious, my rating is: ★★★★

Find it at your library or on Amazon

Oldies: Howl's Moving Castle

Howl's Moving Castle
Diana Wynne Jones

Greenwillow Books (1986)
Age: Grades 4 - 8
Genre: Fantasy

Themes: witchcraft, curses, reputation,

Sophie, as the eldest of three sisters, knows she is doomed to fail in finding fortune and so is content to run her father's old hat shop. Upon a visit from an irate Witch of the Waste, however, Sophie is cursed into an old woman. She determines, then, to go to the Wizard Howl--known in her town to feast on young women's hearts and steal their souls--and strike a deal with his fire demon to break her curse. In return? She must break the contract that binds the demon to Howl. In her quest, though, she may discover there's more to Howl--and herself--than she realizes.

In a completely unbiased sense, this book is a rather charming story of mistaken impressions, magical maladies, and daring deeds. Who is really the hero? Or villain? How will Sophie fare in the end? Unfortunately, my review is marred by the fact that I seem to prefer the more modern style of fantasy novels; that is to say, stronger character development or complexity. This book was definitely more focused on the story. There were weird gaps or jumps in the characters development that made me confused, but were necessary to move the plot along. I was left going "wait...what?" a lot. I just didn't fall into it; I didn't completely love the land or characters. I'm just...meh.

So if you're curious, my rating is: ★★★

Find it at your library or on Amazon

Oldies: Nate the Great

Nate the Great
Written by Marjorie Weinman Sharmat, illustrated by Marc Simont

Coward, McCann & Geoghegan (1972)
Age: 5 - 9 years
Genre: Mystery

Themes: detective, casework, missing, pancakes,

Nate the Great, lover of pancakes, is an excellent detective who prefers to work alone. This time, he is in charge of locating a lost painting created by his friend, Annie. By asking the right questions, gathering the facts, and narrowing the suspects, he just may solve this case. Perhaps even find a missing cat while he's at it (he is that good).

It's genius. It really is. First, the stories are short, simple mysteries that encourage the reader to think. The writing, though, is really what makes this book a favorite: Nate the Great is a tough, no nonsense detective. His short sentences and simple words not only fit his character, but help young kids as they're learning to read. It's just perfect! Plus it's part of a whole series, so kids can just keep following their favorite detective.

In case you're curious, my rating is: ★★★★★

Find it at your library, or on Amazon

Oldies: Olivia Sharp

And, as a bonus...
Did you know Nate the Great has a cousin?

Olivia Sharp: Agent for Secrets
Written by Marjorie Weinman Sharmat, and Mitchell Sharmat
Illustrated by Denise Brunkus

Delacorte Books (1989)
Age: 6 - 10 years
Genre: Mystery

Themes: friendship, money, secrets,

Olivia lives in a penthouse in San Francisco and has two rooms: one to be herself in, the other to be an Agents of Secrets. She helps people solve their problems and keep their secrets. Today, she's helping Duncan find his lost best friend. Maybe money can solve it?

Rather disappointing for Nate the Great's cousin... She isn't actually, technically, a detective; she tries to solve problems with money or various other solutions until one of them finally works. Lame, right? It is the next level up from Nate the Great, though, with the story broken up into chapters. But still. I think there's a reason only four books were written for this series.

In case you're wondering, my rating is: ★★

If you really want to, find it at your library or on Amazon

Oldies: Mary Poppins

Mary Poppins
P. L. Travers

Reynal & Hitchcock (1934)
Age: Grades 2 - 6
Genre: Fantasy

Themes: nannying, magic, London, growing up

Blown in with the east wind, Mary Poppins is definitely the most unusual nanny the Banks have ever had. From sliding up the banisters and changing the taste of medicine, to jumping into chalk drawings and being the star of show at the zoo, there is something magical about her. Jane, Michael, and the twins hardly know what to do! Every day spent with Mary Poppins brings a new surprise.

Of course I’ve only seen the movie, so I didn’t actually know what to expect with the book. It’s a little…crazy. Each chapter is a different adventure with Mary Poppins. Some of them I expected, because Disney’s movie pulled his scenes straight from the book. The others…well, they were weird and crazy and magical. So if you prepare yourself for weird, then you’ll probably enjoy it. Vague enough for you?

It's a masterpiece in children's literature, but if you're still curious, my rating is ★★★ 

Find it at your library or on Amazon