bookshelf

MR. McGRATT AND THE ORNERY CAT

Name: MR. McGRATT AND THE ORNERY CAT
Author: Marilyn Helmer
ISBN: 1-55074-564-6

by Marilyn Helmer ‧ RELEASE DATE: Sept. 1, 1999

bookshelf

After a very slow start, Helmer’s story of two grumps finding one another comes to a gratifying conclusion. Mr. McGratt has his problems, but when it comes to the ornery cat that arrives one day and won’t leave, he becomes angry, bellowing, “Scat! Scram! Skedaddle!” Three times, various neighbors take the cat off Mr. McGratt’s hands, and three times they return the beast. Slyly worked into the story are the cat’s positive features: he chases the starlings out of the pear tree; he fends off the newspaper-shredding neighborhood dog; he keeps Mr. McGratt’s pumpkin patch clear of gourd-smashing trespassers. Helmer never trumpets those talents, so it comes as a pleasant revelation when they are summed up at the end of the book and appreciated by Mr. McGratt, who offers the cat a home. A crafty introduction to kismet, and a nice story to boot. (Picture book. 3-7)

Pub Date: Sept. 1, 1999

ISBN: 1-55074-564-6

Page Count: 32

Publisher: Kids Can

Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 1999

Categories:

CHILDREN'S ANIMALS

bookshelf

QUACK AND COUNT

by Keith Baker & illustrated by Keith Baker ‧ RELEASE DATE: Aug. 1, 1999

bookshelf

Baker (Big Fat Hen, 1994, etc.) engages in more number play, posing ducklings in every combination of groups, e.g., “Splashing as they leap and dive/7 ducklings, 2 plus 5.” Using a great array of streaked and dappled papers, Baker creates a series of leafy collage scenes for the noisy, exuberant ducklings to fill, tucking in an occasional ladybug or other small creature for sharp-eyed pre-readers to spot. Children will regretfully wave goodbye as the ducks fly off in neat formation at the end of this brief, painless introduction to several basic math concepts. (Picture book. 4-6)

Pub Date: Aug. 1, 1999

ISBN: 0-15-292858-8

Page Count: 24

Publisher: Harcourt

Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 1999

Categories:

CHILDREN'S ANIMALS | CHILDREN'S CONCEPTS

- BOOK REVIEW
HAP-PEA EASTER
by Keith Baker ; illustrated by Keith Baker

- BOOK REVIEW
HAP-PEA VALENTINE'S DAY
by Keith Baker ; illustrated by Keith Baker

- BOOK REVIEW
LMNO PEA-QUEL
by Keith Baker ; illustrated by Keith Baker

bookshelf

BIG BROWN BEAR

by David McPhail & illustrated by David McPhail ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 1, 1999

bookshelf

Big Brown Bear, with a natty bowler hat, is all set to paint the house in this cheerful Level 1 reader. Every page presents a full-color scene and a few words of easily predicted, often rhyming text: “Bear is big. Bear is brown. Bear goes up. He comes down.” Big Bear climbs a ladder with a pail of blue paint, while nearby, Little Bear plays with a ball and bat—“Oh no! Little Bear! Do not do that!” These are simple words, but sometimes challenging ones, e.g., there are two uses of up, as in climbing the ladder and washing up. The pen-and-ink and watercolor illustrations provide nearly ideal context, while also amplifying the story. The format is attractive and practical, featuring large type on a white background that is placed for easy reading. Beginning readers will be amused by the gentle humor in the book, and feel accomplished to have tackled it themselves. (Picture book. 5-7)