Review by Booklist Review
Gr. 1-3. An art-savvy cat narrates this whimsical, fictionalized story of artist Gustav Klimt, which is illustrated with dazzling collages reminiscent of the artist's work. Katze, as Klimt calls his pet, describes watching the painter work in his studio and accompanying Klimt as he gathers inspiration on walks through gardens and museums, on boating outings, and even on a trip to Italy. Monaco's beautiful compositions swirl with dreamlike ribbons of dazzling color, patterns, and angular figures that borrow directly from Klimt's work, and a few of Klimt's paintings (including images of bare-breasted models) appear in small reproductions at the book's end. Children looking for literal representation of the words may have trouble making out the stylized forms, but even those who are hesitant at first will be attracted by the accessible descriptions of an artist at work and the glittering, gold-accented shapes and fanciful design. This isn't a necessary purchase, but it's an intriguing, attractive introduction to an individual who's rarely featured in books for youth. --Gillian Engberg Copyright 2005 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Debut author Capatti and Italian artist Monaco (A Brave Little Princess) offer a unique portrait of Gustav Klimt, his studio and his work-from the point of view of his pet, whom he calls Katze. On built-up layers of soft pastel, brilliant orange and cool gray-blue, Monaco creates portraits of Klimt and adds other figures-the women who appear in his paintings, their necks alluringly bent to the side, images from his thoughts and dreams, tubes of paint and pictures of his black-and-white cat. Also in the manner of Klimt, she embellishes the spreads with fabric patterns and repeating medallions, then overlays them with fields of gold ink. The narrative lacks the power of Monaco's artwork, but supports the illustrations sturdily nonetheless. The cat, who narrates, describes the fate of work done by Klimt for the University of Vienna, criticized so harshly that the artist chose to buy it back ("Katze, what's important to me is not how many people like my art, but who appreciates it," Klimt says), and injects a note of humor as he complains about his master on vacation ("I wander the streets of Venice to look for other cats, but Gustav is interested only in art"). The depiction of an artist to whom work is more important than family, wealth or recognition, comes through with force-and with great charm. Small reproductions of Klimt's most famous works appear on the last two pages. All ages. (Jan.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 2-6-Klimt, founder of the late-19th-century Secessionist Art Movement in Vienna, probably has greater renown in Europe than in the U.S. However, American children will enjoy this aesthetically pleasing fictional biography as told by the artist's cat, Katze. The feline takes readers into Klimt's studio to see the decorative, stylized paintings. Then, through conversations and the cat's observations, readers gain insight into the artist's personality, thoughts, and philosophy on art and life. None of this is as heavy as it might seem, given Klimt's erotic and psychological preoccupations. The cat's tale is much softer, much lighter-a child's interpretation of the paintings. There is no "dumbing down"-just appreciation from a different perspective. The mixed-media illustrations work wonderfully with the story. Done in the decorative, ornamental style of Klimt himself, they shine with gold, rich fabrics, paint, and photographs. The effect is as dazzling as his originals. They invite study and appreciation. Readers will need to look twice to distinguish between the illustrations and the reproductions of Klimt's paintings included at the book's conclusion. This richly illustrated, sophisticated work is a beautiful addition to picture-book collections.-Carolyn Janssen, Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County, OH (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
Narrated by Gustav Klimt's feline companion, this book about the artist is short on facts and long on adulation (""I imagine him as an armed soldier, fighting for happiness""). The intricate, gold-accented illustrations effectively evoke Klimt's style and will certainly appeal to his legions of adult fans; the disjointed, precious narration, however, will hold little allure for younger readers. (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
This quirky distillation of Klimt's essence is particularly notable for its luminous, gold-leafed multimedia paintings that effectively evoke the Viennese Secessionist painter's individualistic style (Danae, 1907 and The Kiss, 1908). Bologna-based Monaco is a recent winner of Italy's Hans Christian Andersen Medal for Illustration. Unfortunately debut author Capatti's conceit--Klimt's life and art through the eyes of his cat, Katze--is sometimes a bit hard to take. Katze takes readers inside the studio and introduces them to Klimt's inner circle and sources of artistic inspiration. As Katze's narrative is more than a bit precious, and the eroticism inherent in Klimt's work is a better match for YAs, this beautifully produced work might find its most enthusiastic audience among the denizens of museum gift shops. However, Monaco's illustrations are so unique that libraries with strong artistic picture-book collections won't want to pass this by. (Picture book. 9+) Copyright ©Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
