Review by Booklist Review
Preschool-Gr.1. A little girl tries to entice three feisty cats into becoming her playmates in a preprimer that tackles basic vocabulary. The story is sweet and very simple, with the text ensuring reading success by using fundamental vocabulary words (I, see, run, cat, play, come, etc.) over and over again. The double-page spread watercolors have a light, unrestrained feel, well suited to the exuberance of a child at play. (Reviewed November 15, 1996)0060253738Stephanie Zvirin
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by School Library Journal Review
PreS-Gr 1With large print and a vocabulary of about 25 words, this beginner book will be popular with children just learning to read. A girl finds three cats and plays with them. When they start to leave, she begs them to stay. There's a rollicking rhythm and lots of happy faces. Buck's rhyming sentences are enjoyable"I can see cats. One, two, three cats," but occasionally stilted"I will come, cats, to find one cat." Fortunately, Westcott's cartoon illustrations clarify the meaning, giving strong clues to support the text.Sharon R. Pearce, San Antonio Public Library, TX (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
Using one-syllable words and very basic sentence constructions, the text is accessible to children reading independently for the first time. Westcott's cartoonlike illustrations show a little girl's attempts to befriend the three cats she discovers romping about her back yard. The simple lines and fresh, springtime color scheme suit the quiet story. From HORN BOOK 1997, (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
A book that is a pleasure to read once and again--Buck (Sid and Sam, p. 65, etc.) scores with this entry in the My First I Can Read Book series. With a careful economy of words, Buck tells of a hopeful relationship between a girl and three cats. Using primarily four- word sentences and monosyllabic words, as well as internal rhyme for the sound of poetry, a girl urges cats to frolic with her. She tries to get them to swing, play hide-and-seek, and come down from a tree: ``If you stay, cats/we will play, cats. Up to you, cats./Be my new cats.'' Just when it seems the cats will run away, they all land together at her feet, in a cuddly heap. Fewer than 100 words faithfully employ repetition, yet also impart personality to the girl and the shy cats. The illustrations are full of mild humor and just the right amount of action, providing helpful clues for those deciphering the words. It can't be easy to make so few words add up to so much fun, but Buck and Westcott have done it. (Picture book. 5-8)
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
