They All Saw a Cat
CCBC Review:
“The cat walked through the world, with its whiskers, ears, and paws … ” This lyrical phrase, repeated several times over the course of a clever and distinctive picture book, introduces a number of different animals that observe the cat on its travels. Each page spread visualizes what the cat looks like from a different creature’s point of view. A goldfish sees the cat as two huge, luminous eyes distorted through a curved bowl. A mouse sees a terror of teeth and claws. A bee sees pixel-like dots of color. A worm underground sees a cat-shaped heat signature. A skunk sees the cat up close, in black and white. A bat sees a shape of spotted light. A bird gets an overhead, distant view. But no matter who it is, “The cat knew them all and they all knew the cat.” The perception of 12 different animals, one a human child, is offered without additional descriptive commentary or explanation, other than naming the observer. There is much to consider and discuss in a work that playfully interprets science, perspective, and emotion to serve an artful, whimsical end. (Ages 4–8) © Cooperative Children's Book CenterIllustrated by Brendan Wenzel
CCBC Age Recommendation: Ages 4-8
Age Range:
PreK-Early Elementary (Ages 4-7)
Grades 3-5 (Ages 8-10)
Format:
Picture book
Subjects:
Animals (Informational)
Observation
On CCBC Booklist:
Picture Books for Older Children and Teens: Never Too Old
Publisher:
Chronicle
Publish Year: 2016
Pages: 36
ISBN: 9781452150130
CCBC Location: Picture Book, Wenzel