How to Be a Cat - Hardcover

McClure, Nikki

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1419705288 ISBN 13: 9781419705281

Publisher: Harry N. Abrams, 2013

Synopsis

In cut-paper artist Nikki McClure’s latest picture book, a kitten practices the basics of feline behavior over the course of a day. A single word of text per spread teaches readers “how to be a cat”―how to stretch, clean, pounce, feast―while the striking paper cuts illustrate the kitten’s attempts to imitate an adult cat’s mastery of each skill. At times the kitten triumphantly succeeds, and at other times the kitten struggles, in vignettes that range from whimsical to profound.
A celebration of all things feline, How to Be a Cat also tells a universal story of mastering life skills, and of the sometimes tender, sometimes stern relationship between parent and child, teacher and pupil. Cat lovers of all ages will connect to this loving portrayal of a mentor-student relationship.

Praise for How to Be a Cat
STARRED REVIEWS
"Purrrrfect for beginning readers and little artists with an eye for fine cut-paper compositions and craftsmanship."
―Kirkus Reviews, starred review

"A delightful picture book in every way. Beginning with the paw-print endpapers, youngsters will know that they are in for an adventure. The simplicity and flow of page design are beautifully done as viewers follow a kitten and his mother as she teaches him basic feline behavior."
―School Library Journal, starred review

"McClure's cut-paper spreads can be mesmerizing."
―Publishers Weekly

"McClure wonderfully captures the shape and movement of the feline form, and kids will also enjoy pointing out the blue and white butterflies and the black-capped chickadee that also appear on several pages."
―The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

"Perfect for cat lovers of all ages, the book helps us reconnect with memories of our own jouney of growth and learning."
―Cat Fancy

 

About this title

About the Author:

Nikki McClure is a self-taught cut-paper artist known for her calendar and gift line. She is the author and illustrator of Collect Raindrops; Mama, Is It Summer Yet?; To Market, to Market; and Apple, and the illustrator of All in a Day, written by Cynthia Rylant. She lives in Olympia, Washington. Visit nikkimcclure.com.

From School Library Journal:

PreS-Gr 1-A delightful picture book in every way. Beginning with the paw-print endpapers, youngsters will know that they are in for an adventure. The simplicity and flow of page design are beautifully done as viewers follow a kitten and his mother as she teaches him basic feline behavior. The first spread shows Mama and her kitten as they stretch, and the direction and pull of their bodies helps children understand the concept perfectly. They then proceed to lick themselves clean, pounce, explore, and hunt. Of course, the kitten thinks hunting means playing with a butterfly. They stalk and chase and it is while they are racing around that the kitten becomes lost. Children will identify immediately with the cowering youngster waiting to be found-which happens on the very next page. Mama and her kitten eat their dinner and finally snuggle up together to dream. The cut-paper illustrations are in black and white with a few strategically placed touches of blue. At once satisfying and fun, this is a book that children will pick up again and again. Pair it with Lois Ehlert's Top Cat (Harcourt, 1998) and Kevin Henkes's Kitten's First Full Moon (Greenwillow, 2004) to reinforce the playfulness of kittens and how they learn to be cats.-Joan Kindig, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VAα(c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

About this edition

• Publisher: Harry N. Abrams
• Publication date: 2013
• ISBN 10: 1419705288
• ISBN 13: 9781419705281
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 40