Pretty Kitty

by Karen Beaumont, Stephanie Laberis (Illustrator)

Overview

A counting picture book in rhyme about a lonely old man whose heart is slowly melted by an ever-growing number of kitties hoping to find a home.

In this charming counting book, Pretty Kitty, a lonely old man discovers one kitty on his front step. But he does not want a kitty cat—scat! As the number of kitties grows, will the man find room in his heart—and home—for his new feline friends?

A playful rhyming text makes this counting book perfect for sharing!

- GODWIN BOOKS -

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781250207449
Publisher:	Henry Holt and Co. (BYR)
Publication date:	06/12/2018
Sold by:	Macmillan
Format:	eBook
Pages:	32
File size:	16 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Karen Beaumont is the author of many books for children, including the New York Times bestseller I Ain't Gonna Paint No More!; Theodor Seuss Geisel Honor book Louella Mae, She's Run Away!; and Who Ate All the Cookie Dough? She lives in San Martin, California.

Stephanie Laberis is an illustrator and character designer who specializes in creating art for animation, children's publications, and toys. She is the illustrator of Prudence the Part-Time Cow by Jody Jensen Shaffer. She lives in San Francisco.

Editorial Reviews

04/16/2018
In a big city in wintertime, a grumpy old man seems to be the furthest thing from a cat person—so, of course, he’s catnip to 10 adorable strays. In rhyming couplets, Beaumont (Hats Off to You!) counts the kitties as they aggregate on the man’s doorstep with howls and beseeching eyes: “9 kitties on the mat. /Please don’t look at me like that. /I do not want a kitty cat.” But there are signs that he doth protest too much, which Laberis (Bright Lights, Big Kitty!) underscores by alternating moody double-page scenes of his solitary urban life—taking full advantage of the book’s horizontal format—with tightly focused vignettes that show the current fluffy, cuddly war for the man’s heart. As snow arrives, the man closes the door on the pitiful feline huddle, and readers see, in a wordless spread of his living room, photos of a beloved cat from his younger days. In one, the now-balding man has a full head of bright red hair and is nuzzling his pet. It’s a breathtaking moment of revelation; suddenly everything from preceding pages falls into the place. Now the question becomes, is he ready to love again? Spoiler alert: yes. Author’s agent: the Fogelman Agency. Illustrator’s agent: Anne Moore Armstrong, Bright USA. Ages 4–8. (June)

Publishers Weekly

"This is a fun and engaging read-aloud for young children. And they don’t even have to be cat lovers!" —School Library Journal on Pretty Kitty

“The humorous cumulative text invites participation . . . Beautifully composed, each page propels the story to a climactic spread filled with hula hooping, magic tricks, juggling, soap bubbles, and music!” —School Library Journal on Crybaby

"The amusing illustrations of popular animals and the jaunty rhythm and rhyme will make this a favorite." —Kirkus Reviews on Who Ate All the Cookie Dough?

From the Publisher

06/01/2018
PreS-Gr 1—A lonely old man, living alone in a big city, knows he does not want a pet cat. One night he meets up with a cute kitten while walking home from the grocery store. No matter how hard he tries, he can't seem to get rid of the feisty feline. It follows him home even after it's told to scat. Unfortunately, the old man's problem is far from over. The next day, he finds two kittens on his door mat. Then three greet him. Four cats and then five! When will this stop? This is a sweet book about a man opening his heart and home to 10 lovable cats. The illustrations are bold and full of detail. The colorful cats vary in appearance and are full of playful antics. They swat at him through the letter slot, frolic with his newspaper, and play with his slippers. Their big pleading eyes will make anyone give in to them. Readers see the elderly man slowly warming up to the animals, even though he tries his hardest to not care. He finds himself beginning to smile and enjoys spending time with them. He feeds them and even worries when the weather gets cold and snowy. The rhyming text and repetitive refrain encourages children to chime in and be part of the story. VERDICT This is a fun and engaging read-aloud for young children. And they don't even have to be cat lovers!—Barbara Spiri, Southborough Library, MA

School Library Journal

2018-04-16
A lonely, old man fends off the affections of an increasing number of stray kitties."Old man. / Big city. / Pretty kitty. / Pretty little itty-bitty / kitty cat. / Pretty kitty. Wants a pat. / Don't you look at me like that. / I do not want a kitty cat. / SCAT!" Naturally, when the unnamed protagonist gets home, there are two meowing felines on his welcome mat, and he rebuffs them similarly. The pussycats are joined by a third. "Might have FLEAS. / Or some DISEASE. / Think you might be SIAMESE." Again he tells them to scat. As each new puss arrives, he offers a different excuse for why he doesn't want a cat—but sharp-eyed readers will note mementos in his house that hint of at least one cat in his past. With 10 on his mat, it starts to snow…and it turns out, one old guy has enough love for 10 cats, and they're good for snuggles. Beaumont's rhyme makes for a rollicking read as the protagonist's resolve to stay alone is slowly cracked by cuteness. Laberis' digitally created illustrations, a mix of spot and full-bleed, are irresistible in their scratchy, cartoon colorfulness, imbuing the big city with warmth. The old man is white and balding, with a fluffy gray mustache beneath an absurdly large nose.It's the first five minutes of Disney's Up for cat lovers—but with a happy ending. (Picture book. 2-7)

Kirkus Reviews