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Books for Grasshopper Readers
Books for Good
Listeners and Beginning Readers
Ages 2-7 |
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THE CHICKEN CAT
by Stephanie Simpson
McLellan
illustrated by Sean Cassidy
**WINNER of the 2000 Mr. Christie's Book Award **WINNER
of the 2001 Ruth Schwartz Award **SHORTLISTED for the Ontario Blue Spruce Award **SHORTLISTED
for the CNIB PrintBraille Book of the Year
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| Starred Review from The
Quill & Quire (June
2000): Picture books about the reassurance of
parental love have become standard over the last 50 years, with some, like Robert Munsch's
Love You Forever, proving lucrative beyond anyone's wildest imaginings. It is
gratifying, then, to find a clever and pleasant book for young children featuring dubious
mothers. The Chicken Cat is the story of Merlin,
a kitten born on a winter's night and promptly abandoned. There are two choices of
adoptive mother on the farm: the most "natural" choice is Allison, a malevolent
and emaciated six-toed cat; the other candidate is Guinevere, an old hen who is abundantly
maternal but largely incompetent. Merlin lasts a season under Guinevere's wing, nearly
starving to death but keeping warm and learning of his foster mother's desire to fly. When
a little girl adopts him, Merlin gains strength in her family home and has time to gaze
out the window. After some months of carefully observing birds, Merlin pays a return visit
to the farm and helps his old guardian realize her lifelong ambition.
This quirky and energetic book is a triumph
for its author and illustrator, both newcomers to the field of children's books. McLellan
is a fine storyteller, combining a matter-of-fact narrative style -- life's imperfections
are fixed with a clear-eyed gaze -- with elegant flourishes in turns of phrase and twists
of plot. Cassidy's coloured-pencil illustrations offer an excellent complement to the
text, heightening both its pathos and humour. Softly shaded colours play up the story's
gentle aspects, while the judicious use of accent colour heightens its exuberance. The
animals' facial expressions and postures are humorously vivid throughout, particularly at
the great moment of liberation when kitten, then chicken, take to the open skies.
G10H433
- Hardcover $18.95; G10P433 - Paperback $9.95
Chicken Cat Reviews
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MR.
PUTTER AND TABBY POUR THE TEA
written by Cynthia Rylant
illustrated by Arthur Howard
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By the author of the beloved Henry and Mudge
series, this is another wonderful first reader series, this time about an old man and his
old cat. This is the first book in the series.
Looking for a
companion, Mr. Putter finds Tabby in an animal shelter, and is drawn to this sad, shabby
looking cat for what they seem to have in common: creaking bones, thinning hair and a
little deafness. This is the story about how their life began. Through this wonderful,
comical couple, we learn to appreciate what a gift old age can be: beautiful things mean
more to you and you have the time to enjoy all the beauty. It's not long before Mr. Putter
and Tabby can't remember life without each other.
In MR. PUTTER AND TABBY WALK THE DOG, after
his friend Mrs. Teaberry sprains her ankle, Mr. Putter offers to walk her dog Zeke for her
while she's out of commission. Pretty sure they can handle Zeke the "lollipup"
(whom they call a dream dog), Mr. Putter and Tabby proceed to get dragged through three
days of chaos (wrapped up in leashes and dragged through yards). Mr. Putter is forced to
confess that Zeke is a nightmare! With the dawning of the fourth day (and four more to
go), the wisdom of age allows Mr. Putter to see that a deal must be struck. And behold,
with the lure of swimming and ice cream, Zeke is a dream dog.
Rylant's beautiful command of the language make this a touching story without
rendering it too syrupy. Howard's simple water colour illustrations are full of freshness
and humour.
There are
currently 7 titles available in the series and some will have you laughing outloud.
- Mr. Putter & Tabby Pour the Tea
(Paperback) G06P109 - $9.95
- Mr. Putter & Tabby Walk the Dog
(Paperback) G06P110 - $9.95
- Mr. Putter & Tabby Bake the Cake
(Paperback) G06P111 - $9.95
- Mr. Putter & Tabby Row the Boat
(Paperback) G06P306 - $9.95
- Mr. Putter & Tabby Fly the Plane
(Paperback) G06P307 - $9.95
- Mr. Putter & Tabby Pick the
Pears (Paperback) G06P308 - $9.95
- Mr. Putter & Tabby Toot the Horn
(Paperback) G06P309 - $9.95
- Mr. Putter & Tabby Take the
Train (Paperback) G06P639 - $9.95
- Mr. Putter & Tabby Paint the
Porch (Paperback) G06P436
- $9.95
- Mr. Putter & Tabby Feed the Fish
(Paperback) G06P640 - $9.95
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THE CHRISTMAS MIRACLE OF JONATHON TOOMEY
written by Susan
Wojciechowski
illustrated by P. J. Lynch
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Magnificent, poignant illustrations by P. J. Lynch
celebrate the richness of this moving tale which became an instant Christmas classic.
Jonathan Toomey is the best woodcarver in the
valley. He keeps to himself, though, and never smiles or laughs. No one knows that a lace
handkerchief, a tiny white blanket, and a portrait of the wife and child he's lost lie
hidden in a drawer he never opens.
One day in
early winter, the widow McDowell comes to call. Would Mr. Toomey carve a new creche for
her in time for Christmas?
And would he allow her young song to watch
while he carves it? A quiet request leads to a joyful miracle as the widow and her son
gently warm the sad heart of Jonathan Toomey. A simply beautiful book.
G22H183- Hardcover - $25.99 G22G183- Gift Set (includes a lovely CD recording by Academy
Award nominee James Earl Jones with full orchestral accompaniment plus a custom-crafted
ornament from The Cat's Meow) - $34.99 |
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