The Barnes & Noble Review
Mrs. McTats can't help herself -- she loves kitties! When the stray cats in the neighborhood wander onto her doorstep, she can't resist. "I think I've got room for three more cats" she says, much to the dismay of her house cat, Abner, who observes this with much annoyance. Mrs. McTats names the 25 felines in alphabetical order, from Basil to Curly and Dolly to Earnest. With her house brimming with purrs and fur, she welcomes in another adorable stray -- but this time, it is a small, adorable puppy who needs a home.
This delightful story is told in rhymes, perfect for reading aloud. And the beautifully expressive watercolors add personality to the many cats, with Basil painted with tinges of green and Rosebud with a tint of pink. Youngsters will happily count the kitties on every page and point out the sullen Abner hiding here and there. With playful text and charming illustrations, this is a purr-fect treat for young readers.
(Amy Barkat)
Mrs. McTats and her cat lead a quiet life until a steadily increasing stream of bewhiskered strangers turn up on their doorstep. "Author and artist create a picture of cozy domesticity while incorporating a subtle lesson in letters and numbers," said PW in a starred review. Ages 3-7. (May) Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.
PreS-Gr 1-Cheerful and comfortable-looking Mrs. McTats sets off to market to buy food for her cat, Abner, and returns to find two more cats scratching at her door. After welcoming Basil and Curly, more felines just keep on coming, in alphabetical order, until the arrival of the 26th, which turns out to be a puppy, Zoom, making for a surprise ending. The tale is recounted in a somewhat forced rhyme: "The very next day, off went Mrs. McTats. `What can I possibly feed fifteen cats?'" Fortunately, the whimsical art is more successful at depicting the playful proceedings. Whether depicting Pip, Quip, Rosebud, or Sally, the delicately toned watercolor illustrations use just the right balance of line and color to capture the personality and expression of the animals.-Caroline Ward, The Ferguson Library, Stamford, CT Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.
Mrs. McTats lives in a cozy cottage with only her cat, Abner, until one day visitors begin arriving wanting to stay. Each time she goes out, Mrs. McTats seems to find a few more cats to follow her home, and there is always room for one more. She names the cats alphabetically, from Abner to Yodel, and all seems peaceful until a small sound is heard at the door. Mrs. McTats opens it to discover what it was she had felt was missing: a small puppy, which she names Zoom. While the somewhat clumsy, rhyming text sets the stage, it is the wonderfully painted cats that steal the show. Soft, watery watercolors offset the cartoon-like faces and body shapes of both humans and felines. From plump to skinny, mottled to striped, on each page a few more wonderfully amusing cats seem to find their way through the "small, cozy cottage / with plenty of room." Children will want to count the cats on each page and follow their favorites through the story, particularly on the page where they are all hiding or where they are all gathered together for a group shot. (Picture book. 2-5)
