Black Cat
A book dedicated to "all children of the city" features the urban landscape of concrete and asphalt, chain link and brick, subway and fire escape. These elements of city living and the sights and sounds that go with them are brought to life in Christopher Myers's energetic blend of artwork and poetry as readers follow the travels of a lone black cat through city streets and neighborhoods. "black cat, black cat, we want to know / where's your home, where do you go?" The lone black cat is at home in his environment--on basketball courts and rooftops, in the "click-clacking glow of bodega lights," and moving across a fire escape. The illustrations are a blend of photographs, collage, ink and gouache, with the fences so evocative of cityscapes up close repeated in many forms as frames and focal points for the scenes. The setting will be familiar to many readers, and introduce elements of city life to others who have never experienced a large city environment firsthand. But the black cat--who can be viewed literarlly or as a metaphor--has a surefooted sense of belonging that is affirming. ©1999 Cooperative Children's Book Center
Illustrated by Christopher Myers
CCBC Age Recommendation: Ages 4-9
Age Range:
PreK-Early Elementary (Ages 4-7)
Grades 3-5 (Ages 8-10)
Formats:
Picture book
Poetry
Subjects:
Affirmation
Animals (Fiction)
City Life
Publisher:
Scholastic
Publish Year: 1999
Pages: 32
ISBN: 0590033751
CCBC Location: Non-Fiction, 811 Myers