Ketzel, the Cat Who Composed

by Leslea Newman, Amy June Bates (Illustrator)

Overview

A 2016 Association of Jewish Libraries Sydney Taylor Award Winner

A kitten’s stroll down a keyboard leads to a celebrated one-minute composition in this charming portrait of a remarkable true friendship.

Moshe Cotel was a composer who lived in a noisy building on a noisy street in a noisy city. But Moshe didn’t mind. Everything he heard was music to his ears. One day, while out for a walk, he heard a small, sad sound that he’d never heard before. It was a tiny kitten! “Come on, little Ketzel,” Moshe said, “I will take you home and we will make beautiful music together.” And they did—in a most surprising way. Inspired by a true story, Lesléa Newman and Amy June Bates craft an engaging tale of a creative man and the beloved cat who brings unexpected sweet notes his way.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780763665555
Publisher:	Candlewick Press
Publication date:	10/06/2015
Pages:	40
Sales rank:	434,444
Product dimensions:	9.30(w) x 10.80(h) x 0.50(d)
Lexile:	730L (what's this?)
Age Range:	5 - 8 Years

About the Author

Lesléa Newman is the author of more than seventy books for children and adults, including the groundbreaking children's classic Heather Has Two Mommies. She has received poetry fellowships from the National Endowment for the Arts and the Massachusetts Artists Fellowship Foundation. She lives in Massachusetts.

Amy June Bates has illustrated more than forty books for children, including Waiting for the Magic by Patricia MacLachlan and The Dog Who Belonged to No One by Amy Hest. Her work has been honored by the Society of Illustrators. She lives in Carlisle, Pennsylvania.

Editorial Reviews

★ 08/10/2015
Here’s a lovely tale of cross-species affection and creativity, based on a true story (recounted in an afterword). While seeking inspiration in the busy streets of New York City, a composer and pianist named Moshe Cotel finds and adopts a stray kitten, bestowing it with the Yiddish name Ketzel (for “kitten”). Ketzel proves more than a companion: when Moshe needs an entry for a music competition restricted to pieces no longer than one minute, the kitten steps in and composes a piece by walking across the keys (Moshe dubs it “Piece for Piano: Four Paws” and gives her full credit). Newman’s great affection for her subject is evident, yet she never crosses into cutesiness or sentimentality; her reportorial tone is a perfect match for her down-to-earth, generous hero. Bates, working in hues of parchment and gold, produces some wonderfully warm vignettes, pushing the graceful realism of her watercolor, gouache, and pencil drawings just enough to add a glint of magic to a story that’s already one of a kind. Ages 5–8. Author’s agent: Elizabeth Harding, Curtis Brown. Illustrator’s agency: Shannon Associates. (Oct.)

Publishers Weekly

Based on a true incident, this delightfully told story is unlikely and adorable in equal parts. Bates’ watercolor, gouache, and pencil illustrations feature an un-anthropomorphic kitty whose inquisitive and quizzical nature will be familiar to all cat owners. The author’s note offers all the answers readers will want. An absolute charmer!
—Booklist (starred review)

Newman’s great affection for her subject is evident, yet she never crosses into cutesiness or sentimentality; her reportorial tone is a perfect match for her down-to-earth, generous hero. Bates, working in hues of parchment and gold, produces some wonderfully warm vignettes, pushing the graceful realism of her watercolor, gouache, and pencil drawings just enough to add a glint of magic to a story that’s already one of a kind.
—Publishers Weekly (starred review)

This adorable account is as warm and fuzzy as Ketzel herself and all the sweeter because it's based on fact. The watercolor, gouache, and pencil illustrations suit the text perfectly, delightfully capturing Ketzel's furriness, the story's charming, lively energy, and Moshe and the "composer's" loving friendship. Truly, the cat's meow.
—Kirkus Reviews

Musicians and cat lovers alike will enjoy this charming picture book based on a true story...A delightful read.
—School Library Journal

Charming.
—The Wall Street Journal

A gifted writer and illustrator join forces to craft a charming picture book based on the true story of composer Moshe Cotel and the cat who became famous for her piano composition...
—The Buffalo News

This charming vignette is based on a true story, which encourages readers to suspend disbelief to enjoy a quirky plot and wonderful illustrations...Recommended for the picture book crowd and cat lovers of all ages.
—Jewish Book World (starred review)

From the Publisher

2015-07-15
A cat strolls down a piano keyboard and saunters into musical history. Composer Moshe Cotel finds a stray kitten near his home and dubs her Ketzel, Yiddish for "little cat." One day a letter arrives, announcing a contest for a piece lasting one minute or less. Moshe toils away at his piano, but nothing he composes meets the time limit, and he gives up. Aiming to pounce on the grievous paper—Ketzel just knows it's causing her guardian's distress—she walks across the keys to reach the table where the letter lies. Little does she know what she's wrought. Moshe is astounded by what he's heard, immediately reproduces the notes on paper, and mails the "composition" off. In time another letter arrives—congratulating Ketzel on her award of "a certificate of special mention" for her "creative instinct and imagination." There's more: "Piece for Piano: Four Paws," will be performed! News of Ketzel's extraordinary achievement spreads, and she receives a royalty check that buys a bounty of cat food. This adorable account is as warm and fuzzy as Ketzel herself and all the sweeter because it's based on fact. The watercolor, gouache, and pencil illustrations suit the text perfectly, delightfully capturing Ketzel's furriness, the story's charming, lively energy, and Moshe and the "composer's" loving friendship. Truly, the cat's meow. (author's note) (Picture book. 5-8)

Kirkus Reviews