Mrs. McTats and Her Houseful of Cats

by Alyssa Satin Capucilli, Joan Rankin (Illustrator)

Overview

Mrs. McTats loves cats — and they love her too! At first Mrs. McTats has only one cat, Abner, but quickly finds herself in a house bursting with twenty-five! She names each one with a different letter of the alphabet, but stops short at Z. Then there's a scratch on the door. Surprise! Mrs. McTats finds what the family needs to be complete.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780689869914
Publisher:	Aladdin
Publication date:	05/01/2004
Edition description:	Reprint
Pages:	32
Product dimensions:	11.00(w) x 8.50(h) x 0.20(d)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Alyssa Satin Capucilli is the award-winning creator and author of the Katy Duck series and the bestselling Biscuit series, which has sold over twenty-four million copies. A dancer as well as a writer, she lives with her family in Hastings-on-Hudson, New York.

Joan Rankin has illustrated more than twenty-five books for children. She received the South African HAUM Dann Retief Prize for Children’s Book Illustration in 1986 and the Katrina Harris Award for Children’s Book Illustration in 1991. Books she has illustrated include A Frog in the Bog by Karma Wilson and Off to First Grade by Louise Borden. She lives with her husband and three daughters in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Editorial Reviews

New York Times Wacky

Cat Fancy Playful rhymes reveal surprises with an alphabetic twist....

From the Publisher

The Barnes & Noble Review
Mrs. McTats can't help herself -- she loves kitties! When the stray cats in the neighborhood wander onto her doorstep, she can't resist. "I think I've got room for three more cats" she says, much to the dismay of her house cat, Abner, who observes this with much annoyance. Mrs. McTats names the 25 felines in alphabetical order, from Basil to Curly and Dolly to Earnest. With her house brimming with purrs and fur, she welcomes in another adorable stray -- but this time, it is a small, adorable puppy who needs a home.

This delightful story is told in rhymes, perfect for reading aloud. And the beautifully expressive watercolors add personality to the many cats, with Basil painted with tinges of green and Rosebud with a tint of pink. Youngsters will happily count the kitties on every page and point out the sullen Abner hiding here and there. With playful text and charming illustrations, this is a purr-fect treat for young readers. (Amy Barkat)

bn.com

Mrs. McTats lives in a cozy cottage with only her cat, Abner, until one day visitors begin arriving wanting to stay. Each time she goes out, Mrs. McTats seems to find a few more cats to follow her home, and there is always room for one more. She names the cats alphabetically, from Abner to Yodel, and all seems peaceful until a small sound is heard at the door. Mrs. McTats opens it to discover what it was she had felt was missing: a small puppy, which she names Zoom. While the somewhat clumsy, rhyming text sets the stage, it is the wonderfully painted cats that steal the show. Soft, watery watercolors offset the cartoon-like faces and body shapes of both humans and felines. From plump to skinny, mottled to striped, on each page a few more wonderfully amusing cats seem to find their way through the "small, cozy cottage / with plenty of room." Children will want to count the cats on each page and follow their favorites through the story, particularly on the page where they are all hiding or where they are all gathered together for a group shot. (Picture book. 2-5)

Kirkus Reviews