Review by Booklist Review
Ages 5-7. A cat on the prowl is looking for lunch--a bird he hopes--but all he ends up with are a few feathers, thanks to the bell on his collar. That small event is the peg for Ehlert's album of common (and mostly colorful) American birds, for as Kitty stalks, he encounters such feathered friends as a robin, a cardinal, a blue jay, and a red-headed woodpecker. The pictures are bold collages of stylized shapes and strong, unabashed colors. A lilac bush drips purple, the better to highlight green leaves and an oriole's rich orange breast. Likewise, a pair of Rembrandt tulips offset the dark blue-blacks and hot yellow-red of a red-winged blackbird's wing. The elemental text makes a stab at rhyming, but page flow interrupts the rhythm; what really counts are the illustrations that picture not only the labeled birds, but also some colorful spring and summer greenery. Lots of fun (though not to be viewed as a field guide). ~--Denise Wilms
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
"Ehlert brings her fresh, distinctive eye for color and design to the world of birds," said PW about this collection of "stunning" cutout compositions, "at once an inspiring introduction to bird-watching and a pure visual treat." Ages 3-8. (Mar.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review
PreS-Gr 2-- This unusual book is both a story and a beginning nature guide. A pet cat wants to vary his diet with wild birds, but each attempt gains him only feathers. Twelve different bird species are carefully illustrated with scientific accuracy and can be used to teach identification; the final four pages offer additional facts. On each page, the bird's typical call is printed and plants pictured are named. The rhyming story appears in large, bold typeface, but the rhythm is somewhat awkward and the word choices forced. Against the white background, cut-outs of painted paper create vivid shapes that are not realistic and yet manage to include all the field identification marks. Small children will appreciate the apparent simplicity of the pictures while older readers will be more aware of their subtleties. --Carolyn Caywood, Virginia Beach Public Library (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
Cat is looking for a tasty bird, but because he has a bell on his collar, he can't catch anything but 'feathers for lunch.' A visual and aural treat bursting with brightly colored birds and lush flowers, all of which are labeled. Graphically appealing and entertaining; perfect for use with large groups. From HORN BOOK 1990, (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
Using the glorious color and bold technique she employed so successfully in Eating the Alphabet (1989), Ehlert depicts ten familiar birds, providing drama in the form of a hungry (but belled) cat whose quest (unsuccessful except for the tokens mentioned in the title) is briefly described in verse. Though stylized, the life-size representations of the birds should serve well for identification, as will the colorful, labeled flora that also appear. Verbal approximations of birdsongs are included; illustrated notes on food, range, habitat, and song are appended. Unusual, useful, attractive, and fun. Copyright ©Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
