Details
Synopsis
After a busy day on a family outing, what a young cat likes most is the warm and snuggly "goodnight kind of feeling."
| Size | | Height: | 9.3 in | | Width: | 8.8 in | | Thickness: | 0.5 in | | Weight: | 11.2 oz |
Industry Reviews
Decked out in spiffy play clothes, his teddy bear in tow, a marmalade kitten goes on an outing with his parents in this sunny tale. The pictures limn an absolutely perfect day that includes sampling all the rides in the park, enjoying an al fresco lunch, stopping at the toy store (and not leaving empty-handed), taking a bubble bath and listening to a favorite story before slipping off to sleep. Each major event generates a special kind of joy, cozily defined in the rhyming text. When the hero feeds the ducks, he likes "that scary quack-quack-quack,/ I want my fingers back/ kind of feeling"; or, less imaginatively, at bedtime he gets "that warm and snuggly,/ deep and duggly, sleep tight,/ don't let the bed bugs bite.../ goodnight kind of feeling." Scruton's tidy but playful illustrations, set in an urban desert landscape that resembles Southern California, exude unfettered happiness and gentle humor (there's a wonderful depiction of a bumpy stroller ride). He employs a wide range of framing and composition techniques from cartoon-like panels to double-page, full-bleed spreads that keep the visual momentum of the story going strong. Ages 4-8. (Apr.)
Lopate
PreS A young cat and her parents go to the park, shop for toys, and then go home where a bath and bed await for that "warm and snuggly, deep and duggly...goodnight kind of feeling!" The text on each page starts and ends the same way: "I like that...kind of feeling." Energetic, short phrases convey a toddler's point of view and keep the narrative moving. There is no tension in the story. Even when the kitten looks nervous going down a slide or entering a crowded store, listeners know that all will end rosily. Pale illustrations outlined in a sketchy brown line help flesh out the characters the kitten's parents are fun-loving, giving, and tolerant. While the illustrations make every effort to add excitement to the book, readers will be left feeling rather blas?. Maybe it's all that washed out mint green that lacks vibrancy it's just a tad too `50s or it could be that the characters are barely distinguishable from the stuffed animals they carry. In any case, despite all the feel-good sentiments contained within its pages, this picture book lacks punch. Martha Topol, Traverse Area District Library, Traverse City, MI
Lopate
PreS A young cat and her parents go to the park, shop for toys, and then go home where a bath and bed await for that "warm and snuggly, deep and duggly...goodnight kind of feeling!" The text on each page starts and ends the same way: "I like that...kind of feeling." Energetic, short phrases convey a toddler's point of view and keep the narrative moving. There is no tension in the story. Even when the kitten looks nervous going down a slide or entering a crowded store, listeners know that all will end rosily. Pale illustrations outlined in a sketchy brown line help flesh out the characters the kitten's parents are fun-loving, giving, and tolerant. While the illustrations make every effort to add excitement to the book, readers will be left feeling rather blas‚. Maybe it's all that washed out mint green that lacks vibrancy it's just a tad too `50s or it could be that the characters are barely distinguishable from the stuffed animals they carry. In any case, despite all the feel-good sentiments contained within its pages, this picture book lacks punch. Martha Topol, Traverse Area District Library, Traverse City, MI
School Library Journal (06/01/1998)
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