5 comments about Mama Cat Has Three Kittens.

1. My 3-year old daughter memorized this book by the time she was two. She still loves taking it out and "reading" it to us; the repetitive nature of the book really lends itself to very young children grasping the plot, and the beautiful, distinctive pictures are unlike most I've seen in children's picture-books. They're bold, colorful, and full of simple action. My daughter even used the paperback of this book as a pillow for three weeks; she refused to go to bed without it!



2. Ohio artist Denise Fleming works with paper to create the most extraordinarily detailed illustrations, as here in "Mama Cat Has Three Kittens" and in her other books as well. According to the text on the last page, "The artist used colored cotton rag fiber poured through hand-cut stenciles to create the illustrations for this book." The process sounds somewhat crude, but the result is illustrations of great vibrancy and detail. They are so alive that they very nearly leap off the page.

   Mama Cat's children are named Fluffy, Skinny, and Boris. Looks like Boris is always missing out on the fun, as his favorite activity in life is napping. By the end of the book, however, he surprises everyone with his active nature--and then reverts to his usual self so we know that deep down he hasn't changed. It's a fun and reassuring look at how everyone has hidden depths. Great fun to read to little kids, and great fun to have a new reader read to YOU, the parent, as it's short and sweet.




3. Last library visit my daughter chose MAMA CAT HAS THREE KITTENS. One night recently she came to me and said, "Mommy, I want to read you this book." I remember thinking this would be cute because she'd never said that to me before. Opening the book and pointing to the words she READ the book to me! I couldn't believe it. I had only read it to her maybe five times. I called for Daddy to come, ran to get the camcorder and recorded her reading it again. Later, he said he had read it to her some too. Still, she WOWED me.
   
   This a fantastic book by Mrs. Fleming and it appears that all of hers are, judging by the feedback here at Amazon. Her illustration style is unique--"she pours colored cotton pulp through hand-cut stencils which become the images set in handmade paper." The effect is very bright, vivid and dramatic. The active story follows a busy, frolicking day in the sun of Mama Cat and her three kittens--Fluffy, Skinny, and Boris the napper. It's a FUN story and even includes little surprises to find on EACH page. (There are three identical objects as well as a hidden mama mouse.)
   
   Besides all these features, the BEST PART in my opinion, is the frequent use of the same words which helps build listening skills, perhaps some memorization skills and plenty of Confidence for a beginning reader to BEGIN READING! I am going to look into some more of her books next library visit for sure.
   
   Soar!



4. A simple yet cute book showcasing the daily lives of a mother cat and her three little kittens.
   
   The names for the kittens are Fluffy, Skinny and Boris. The following pages then show the Mama Cat washing her paws with the next double page showing Fluffy and Skinny doing the same, while on the opposite page Boris naps. Fluffy is the same coloring of the Mama cat with Skinny being brown and white. Boris is an orange cat that naps.
   
   While Mama Cat, Fluffy and Skinny sharpen their claws, chase leaves and walk along the stone wall, Boris naps. When the time comes for Mama Cat and Fluffy and Skinny to take a nap, Boris slowly awakens with stretches, yawns and cleaning his paws. While one page looks like Boris is about to pounce on flowers and start having some fun, he lands on Mama Cat, Fluffy and Skinny to nap some more.
   
   The picture shows Mama Cat, Fluffy and Skinny now with their eyes open curled around with Boris napping and eyes closed. It appears that Boris is a lazy cat and would rather stay put with his family than go off alone when he is awake. The pictures display the other kittens following the Mama Cat's lead but always in the background behind the bushes is Boris napping.
   
   This is an easy to follow book for a young child not yet a reader and enjoy the antics of the kittens. Also a good pick for a teacher to read to the classroom when studying pets. This would also make a good project at school for trying to make images in the same manner as the author.



5. I feel that I owe author/illustrator Denise Fleming an apology. Ahem. Dear Ms. Fleming - please forgive me for confusing you, each and every time I see a picture book of yours, with fellow children's author Lois Ehlert. I know that you and Ms. Ehlert may have much in common (your audience, your colors, etc.) but that does not mean that I should assume that you write with the same doleful tone as she has utlized in her many works. In fact, your books are almost always surprisingly funny (a fact I am repeatedly shocked by again and again and again). I understand that this is entirely my own fault but I sincerely hope that as time goes on, I will outgrow this childish (ho ho!) response to your books and recognize you immediately as the truly enjoyable author that you really are. Sincerely - a most loyal if absentminded fan.
   
   That said, let me tell you a little something about Ms. Fleming's remarkable "Mama Cat Has Three Kittens". As you probably could tell from the preceding paragraph, I always read a Fleming book with much sighing and moaning. Then, after finishing it, it's all I can do to prevent myself from purchasing a copy for every friend I know who MIGHT one day have children. This book is no exception. Initially simple, the book is about a large black and white cat and her three adorable kittens, Fluffy, Skinny, and ... Boris. Boris is, first of all, a great name for a cat. Especially an orange terminally sleepy cat. As we read, Mama Cat will do something, like sharpen her claws or wash her paws, and Fluffy and Skinny will do the same. Boris? He naps. The day continues like this (punctuated with the phrase, "Boris naps") until at last Mama Cat and two of her kittens are ready for a little shut-eye themselves. With adorable care, Boris then wakes, stretches, yawns, washes, and finally pounces directly onto his mother. Then, in an image of Boris stretched out on his mother's back (as she and his two siblings shoot him quizzical glances), "Boris naps". The end.
   
   The unexpected joke at the end of the book is startling to those parents who weren't expecting too read a picture book with any wit in it. But if Denis Fleming is guilty of anything, she's guilty of always making her books surprisingly amusing. Once again, the book is using her customary and very original colored cotton pulp and stencil illustration technique. The result is a blindingly beautiful mix of colors and images. As with her magnificent "Lunch" and "Barnyard Banter" (which, if you haven't seen them, you must immediately rush out and purchase pronto) Fleming isn't afraid of mixing a couple primaries together to get her readers' attention. Unlike other books I've seen of hers, though, "Mama Cat" is exceptional because as an artist Fleming obviously knows her cats. You get the distinct feeling from this book that she's studied their muscle structure to some extent. Whether the cats are stretching, sharpening their claws with curved backs, or leaping in some way, these felines ring true. For cat lovers, this book is a must-own.
   
   I concede that I'll eventually have to go out and read every single Denise Fleming book available, if only so that I'm not shocked by how much I like them when I stumble on 'em. Until then, I'll keep "Mama Cat Has Three Kittens" close to my heart. A sweet tale with excellent repetition, colorful motifs, and a funny conclusion. What more could a person ask for?

No comments about Star Dreams #3 (Magic Kitten).

2 comments about Houndsley and Catina.

1. An easy chapter book about friends. Backed up with colorful illustrations by Mary-Louise Gay. (I often wonder what secret income allows characters such as Houndsley and Catrina to live their lives of contentment, but never mind.) Don't miss out on Howe's Bunnicula novels. And, if you like this title, you will also enjoy the Arnold Lobel books.



2. Marie-Louise Gay's simple but fun drawings lend a compelling air to Houndsley And Catina, two friends who want very different things from life. Houndsley the dog is an excellent cook, while Catina the cat longs to be a writer. They both admire each other's talents - so what should Houndsley say about Catina's 74- chapter memoir, and what about Houndsley's big cooking fiasco? A gentle chapter book tale about friendship and honesty emerges.

5 comments about The Feline Mystique: On the Mysterious Connection Between Women and Cats.

1. A great book for any women who loves cats. It tells about the very apprent female and feline love affair that's gone on for thousounds of years. It's really informative and interesting. It will make you feel closer to the special feline in your life. Remarkable book.



2. This book has been very insightful for me and some of my friends (this was a great gift item!). What I found most intriguing was the reconstruction of the make-up of "The Old Cat Lady" myth. It makes sense that it was built out of confusion, disdain, and the urge to make women feel repressed.
   
   The stories presented here are very enjoyable, and I found myself retelling them to several friends. It's nice to realize a bit of a community here.
   
   I thought this book was going to be totally unrelated to most of the other books I've been reading lately that are about Wicca. I was pleasantly surprised to find a little blurb about Wicca in chapter 3. I am definitely glad for the positive coverage, the more informed people are about various ways of life, the less bigoted the world will be.



3. This is a great book, especially for those that would like to know WHY so many wonmen are adopted by cats! We never really own a cat, nor should we and I think women understand this, as explained in the book. Cats are part of the family and because of that, the bond it strong. This book helped me to understand why.



4. Not a particularly entertaining read. It reads like a thesis paper, scholarly and ponderous. Felt like I was doing homework.



5. I wanted to read this book to further explore the question posed by the title and thought there would be some answers. If you have never read any books about cats and their history before, then there is much scholarship and lovingly done research in this book and that does make it worthwhile. She is obviously well-meaning, sincere and loves cats. However, the book doesn't really explore the "mysterious connection" in any interesting or conclusive fashion. Sadly, too, her writing is a bit clunky, repetitive and formulaic, especially in her various interviews. It felt like a research paper that someone suggested could be made "more interesting" with interviews with female cat owners. I just thought it would be a better book. The book on this subject has yet to be written.

5 comments about Meet Samantha: An American Girl (American Girls Collection).

1. The charming American Girls series introduces young readers
   to five different protagonists of various ethnic backgrounds, from five eras in American history. Each heroine has 4-6 short books in her individual setting. Each book includes historical data and photographs which provide authentic details of that particular time frame.

   Here we meet nine-year-old Samantha, a well-to-do Victorian miss in Turn-of-the-Century America. Pampered but restricted (in her speech, curiosity, clothing and activities) Samantha interacts with various servants in her Grandmother's home. Then she meets a new, but poor working girl next door--her first real
   friend. This is an age when children were supposed to be Seen but not Heard; she witnesses the dawn of women's struggle for emancipation. This series presents likeable girls caught up in both the historical events and social movements of their day. This is Fiction Plus--a valuable literary concept which offers insight into the contributions of immigrants. Some themes are universal, regardless of era or nationality, like the dreams and frustrations of growing up, which today's American girls can easily understand. Fast and light reading which teaches as it
   entertains, (...)




2. Meet Samantha is an excellent book. It is about a young girl whose parents died when she was 5 years old. Now she lives in the country with her grandmother. Samantha's grandmother does not like to make changes. Samantha meets a young girl named Nellie who is working for another family next door. Nellie's parents and two sisters live in the city and work at a factory. The suggested reading level is ages 7 and up but I think that the Samantha series is wonderful for anyone.



3. Meet Samantha is an excellent way to introduce young girls to the genre of historical fiction. The vocabulary used in the book helps set the tone to be transported to the early 1900's. The actions of the characters also inform readers of the differences between the early 1900's and the time period we are living in now. A very informative addition to the book is located after the story. It is called looking back-changes for America in 1904. This section of the book gives facts about the time period in which the book is set accompanied by photos of the time period. Both the story and this added feature would enable the reader to learn a lot about the early 1900's. This book certainly opens the door for discussion about the changes that have come about in our country and how those changes affect everyone who lives in America. This book will be enjoyed by many young girls because they will be able to relate to the main characters and their newly formed friendship. Readers will sympathize with Nellie's situation and cheer on Samantha who does everything she can to help her have fun!



4. I read the book Meet Samantha. This book is interesting. This book is more of an adventure book of her life.
   In this story Samantha becomes friends with a girl from the orphanage. I learned some interesting facts. I learned that when you become something you can't pretend to be that anymore. Also I learned that if you are a good person you are going to become a good person. I would recommend this book for three reasons. First reason it tells you how Samantha worked just to become someone's friend. The second reason is when you start reading you just can't stop. Third, when you are reading this book I think you are going to like it. Meet Samantha is an exciting.



5. I first came across this book about fifteen-years ago when I was in the fourth grade. It was library day, and this was the book that I picked to read. I read the first chapter in the library, and spent the remainder of the day hiding the book underneath my desk, so my teacher wouldn't notice that I was reading. I got caught anyway.
   
   Anyway, this is a great collection about a weathly nine-year-old girl named Samantha who is growing up in the year 1904. In the first chapter we learn that her grandmother is raising her because her parents were killed in a motorboat accident. We learn more about that tragedy later on in the Samantha book series.
   
   One day Samantha sees a girl about her age doing the laundry at the house next door. Samantha's neighbors are also well to do, and they have a spoiled son named Eddy, who likes to tease Samantha.
   After Samantha talks to this girl she finds out that her name is Nellie, and that her family sent her to work as a servant girl because in New York City Nellie was working long hours in a dusty, factory. This was before child labor laws.
   
   Another thing that Samantha witnesses is that her grandmother's seamstress, Jessie has left her job. Jessie, nor her grandmother will tell her why. One night, Nellie and Samantha hatch a plan to go to Jessie's house to find out why. In the next chapter you get to deal with racism in the early 20th century.
   
   I think this is a wonderful book for a parent to buy, and read to their kids. The book tells a story about a young girl growing up in the early 20th century. It gives a lesson about child labor, and paints a picture of racism. The child will learn that these two subjects are very wrong.
   
   I just hope that one day the books in this series are not edited like so many of the classics have been.

5 comments about Kitty Knits: Projects for Cats and Their People.

1. I had this book for a week and had knitted a dozen felted mice! They are so cute! I even played around w/the pattern and made some smaller and some larger than the pattern. It's so basic I can make them w/out the pattern! The other patterns have set my creative juices to working. Rather than using the kitty pattern on a sweater how about using it on a handbag or tote!?! Gotta go, can't stop making those little mice...



2. As a cat-lover (who is owned by 10 demanding cats!), I found this book great fun. There are twenty projects, conveniently organized by "Projects for Cats," "Projects for People," and "Projects for the Home." Skill levels are nicely balanced between easy, intermediate, and experienced.
   
   For those who enjoy felting their knitting (on purpose), there are ten projects for you--6 for cats, 1 for people, and 3 for the home. Personally, I'm looking forward to knitting the Felted Catnip Mice.
   
   The photos are all color and show the projects clearly. The cats pose nicely, as do the people. There are charts and drawings where needed. The instructions appear to be clear, but as I haven't yet actually knitted one of the projects, I can't be certain. All in all, I'm pleased with this book and glad to add it to my shelf of knitting books!



3. I bought this book as a gift for a friend who knits. The patterns are absolutely adorable, but the one pattern I was most excited for was the hat pattern on the cover. The book I purchased was missing pages 37- 57 which included the adorable hat pattern. How am I supposed to bribe my friend to make the hat for me now? The pages weren't ripped out, and the book was perfectly bound. It just baffles me that 3 or 4 patterns from the book are missing even though they are stated in the Table of Contents.
   
   Good book if you don't want the hat pattern....



4. This is a great book, filled with many unique and interesting projects that I can't wait to get my claws--ahem--I mean my hands into. Of the 20 projects that are in this book, there are only about two that I would not consider making, which is excellent odds for any craft project book. With most craft books, you are lucky if you like even half of the projects within them, so I would recommend this book to any lover of knitting who's a lover of kitty cats too! Two paws up!



5. I love cats and really like this book. Many, many of the projects are made with wool and/or are felted. I personally do not use wool. I however still find the book fun. I'm working on the "Felted Carpet Bag" in a worsted weight yarn and it's coming out great. Just needed to knit swatches and adjust needle size. I will make the Butterfly for the bag out of fabric. It would have been nice to have a full size template for the Butterfly in the book. I also plan to make the kitty pillow. The book is probably not for beginners but I am far from an expert knitter and find the instructions workable. I even plan to make the "Felted Cat Doorstop" out of acrylic yarn as a couch pillow. Charts in the book could be incorporated into other projects too.

1 comments about Psycho Kitty: Tips for Solving Your Cat's "Crazy" Behavior.

1. I got this book sort of as a joke for a colleague whose cat was refusing to use the litter box and was just plain mean. Much to my surprise, the book contains a lot of great advice, often with multiple suggestions on different approaches, for addressing many common cat problems. I don't know how it's going with my colleague's cat, but as who has shared a home with several different feline characters, I heartily recommend both this book and the author's "Twisted Whiskers" as a companion volume.

5 comments about Ready, Freddy! Halloween Fraidy-Cat (Ready, Freddy!).

1. This book was very funny. All of the illustrations had the word "FIN" cleverly hidden. I really enjoyed the story and the pictures....



2. My first grader loves the Ready, Freddy series. We have all the books, and enjoy reading them together. The main character is a first grade boy who loves sharks. Freddy is a good kid, with a realistic relationship with his big sister, and simple (though important) problems. I read one chapter a night, and now that he's improving in reading, my son is starting to read some on his own! Also, each of the illustrations has the word "fin" hidden in it. It's fun to look for it.
   
   While we like Junie B., she can get into a bit of trouble and uses some language that we don't. Ready, Freddy is a better fit for us.



3. I teach first graders, and they absolutely love the "Ready, Freddy!" series of books. This particular book is about our hero, Freddy, getting to take home the class hamster, Harold, for the weekend. While Freddy's mother is not thrilled about the idea of any animal in her house, she finally relents and lets Freddy bring home the hamster. In true Freddy form, craziness ensues as soon as he gets Harold into the house.
   I strongly recommend the "Ready, Freddy!" series of books for students. While the words may be a little difficult for some first graders to read on their own, using this book to read to/with your child or class is a fun and engaging use of time.



4. My son loves these books! They make him laugh. I have purchased all of the Ready Freddy Books published so far and will continue to do so. He is 8 years old and they seem like the reading level is made for children his age.



5. Young Freddy Thresher is dreading the upcoming Halloween party. His sister wants him to dress up as something scary, but he wants to be a Hammerhead shark like he was last year. He doesn't care very much for all of the spooky costumes, especially the masks, but he doesn't want to be seen as a fraidy-cat, either. Then he's challenged to an apple-bobbing contest by the school bully. To top it all off, the kids at the party hear a spooky noise. Who'll investigate it? Who will be the true fraidy-cat? All these answers can be found in the wonderfully charming "Ready, Freddy! Halloween Fraidy-Cat."
   
   I read this as a bedtime story to my daughter. She enjoyed the illustrations and helping me find the word "fin" that was hidden in each picture. I enjoyed the solid lessons of being kind to others and helping people even though you might be a bit uncomfortable with the situation. Freddy is a typical youngster, and children can easily identify with him. There's also a nice bit of shark information thrown in for any future marine biologists.
   
   Overall, this "Ready, Freddy!" adventure is well worth the purchase if you have youngsters ranging from the ages of five to eight. Recommended.

5 comments about Liar: An Irene Kelly Mystery.

1. Still recovering from incidents in Hocus and Irene's injuries from a previous accident, Frank and her are working on having a normal life with no unusual happenings. After her sister Barbara calls ranting and raving about a new grave next to there's parents, Irene goes to talk to Aunt Mary. During this conversation she learns about long lost relatives and family feud that started two decades ago. After some sleuthing at the
   deceased' s house she locates her cousin Travis. The rest of the book is about Irene learning the truth about things that happened during her parent's marriage and why her mother and aunt was deceased. At some point I gave up on this plot, it just another tired family saga of who did who wrong. The mystery was just
   there to give the book a purpose which it failed miserably. I thought after Hocus Burke was hitting her stride as a writer who spins page turning stories. Sadly she returned to the lackluster style of Remember Me Irene. Many times I found myself thinking why am I still reading this and the answer is Frank. If he in
   the forefront of the stories then it has meat and I want to read more. When she sends him off on a wild goose chase the book doesn't hold my interest.



2. I really enjoyed this book, the characters and the plot were very, very exciting.



3. This was my first exposure to Jan Burke. Although the book was interesting, I agree with the other reviewer who mentioned there were too many characters to keep track of. The book did ramble a bit and at times I found myself completely confused as to what was going on and how the characters were connected.
   
   Having said this, I will try Jan Burke again-I bought Bloodlines at a Library Book Sale-before I write her off completely.



4. I stumbled across the first Irene Kelly novel, Goodnight Irene, a little less than a month ago and have flown through the rest of her books. I thoroughly enjoy them. HOWEVER, I have to agree with most of the other "critics" on this page and say there are too many characters to keep straight. I find myself having to flip back and forth to clarify storylines. I would like to note, for those who are considering reading these books, this is a series that is better read in order, than picking up in the middle.



5. Great reading from Jan Burke once again. Riveting from the first page to the last.

5 comments about Ernie: A Photographer's Memoir.

1. I love this book. As a cat lover the book captured this cat's character perfectly. Loved the narratives of both the photographer and especially when he wrote on behalf of Ernie!! If you love cats, you will definitely enjoy this book and its pictures. I love Ernie!



2. I encountered Ernie while visiting the Tate Modern bookstore here in London over the weekend, and was instantly won over by his crazy, self-possessed ways. The genius of Mendoza's work lies in his ability to faithfully capture the personality of his feline subject, with the same amount of detail and devotion one would expect to see in photographs of people. As a filmmaker and photography enthusiast, I have accumulated a library of photography books by those renowned in their field, and Mendoza's masterful memoir deserves its place amongst them. Sure, he is not a Pulitzer Prize winning war photographer, the subject is light-hearted but it is also sincere, which is the most you can ask of an artist. Ernie is a fine example of what photography and portraiture should be: an engaging and revealing insight into its subject, one that compels the viewer to revisit the photographs again and again, delighting and inspiring with each subsequent reading.



3. I was recommended this book by a colleague as I was starting to get into photography. My first thought was that it'd be boring - I mean photos of cats?! If I wanted that I'd buy a calendar. However I ordered it and it is brilliant. The photos are outstanding - nothing like your typical cat-calendar shots, but rather they capture the essence of the subject, which in this case just happens to be a cat. Add to that, the fact that it is beautifully presented, it could only be 5 stars.



4. This book was very well titled and illustrated. It looked as if my own cat ERNIE posed for many of the pictures himself. If you have a black and white(tuxedo cat), I strongly urge you to purchase this book. It will mean so much to you later when you lose your cat(to death) like it did with my ERNIE. I highly recommend it.



5. I actually bought this book from a Museum of Fine Arts bookstore (for more than it cost on Amazon, but I digress) simply after glancing at it. I am an admitted cat lady and I couldn't resist such a playful yet respectful study of a cat. What a personality! Highly recommended for cat people.