Black Cat (Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor Books) [Hardcover]

Christopher Myers (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: P and up | Series: Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor Books

"Arresting photo-collage artwork and hip-hop poetry tell the story of a stray cat's search for a home as it slinks its way through city streets...Pulses with city rhythms and scenarios, just waiting to be discovered and discussed." - School Library Journal, starred review "Edgy, visceral, this dazzling book captures the rhythms of the city and the gritty beauty of the urban landscape." - The Horn Book Coretta Scott

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

An unseen narrator follows a lone black cat posing the refrain, "Where is your home?" in this ingenious tour of an urban landscape. If Myers's montage illustrations for Harlem paid homage to its people and history, here the mixed media images revere the starkness and beauty of the city streets themselves. As the stealthy feline, subtly comprised of dark fabric swatches with delicate patterns, makes its way down to the subways and up to the rooftops, the creature moves gracefully and purposefully. Rarely, save for a stop at the basketball courts or the playground, does the cat encounter anyone else, yet it never seems frightened or lonely. Myers imbues even the night vistas with pulsing purples, greens and oranges that seem to insulate the cat from harm, and the design plays up Myers's exquisite color sense. In one spread, for instance, a rose-colored trio of apartment buildings enveloped by a fiery sky appears alongside an image of the cat atop a darkened brick wall next to a quartet of glass green bottles with just a hint of rosy-streaked yellow sky in the background. The text itself reads like captions to the striking images, which develop a visual rhythm of their own: the metal pillars of a subway station echo in the bars of the "playground cages" and fire escapes; the honeycomb-like quality of the chain-link fences reappears in the backboard of a basketball hoop. Myers thus creates a comforting, familiar world for the cat, which exudes confidence as it answers the text's recurring question: home is "anywere I roam." Ages 5-up.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

Grade 2-5-A rhythmic ramble through an urban landscape led by a sleek and savvy feline. Striking collage paintings and hip verse pulsate with the sights and sounds of the city. (Mar.)
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 40 pages
• Publisher: Scholastic Press; 1st edition (April 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0590033751
• ISBN-13: 978-0590033756
• Product Dimensions: 11.2 x 9.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #192,774 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #100 in Books > Children's Books > Travel & Cultures > Where We Live > City Life

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book for ALL kids, April 2, 2003

By 

"jesuslovescaleb" (Clovis, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Black Cat (Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor Books) (Hardcover)

We checked this book out at the library for my 2 year old son who loves cats and at first read, I was blown away by the incredible artwork and the jazzy text. Although the book is intended for slightly older kids, my son enjoyed it the more we read it and loves to point out where the cat is in each picture. I really appreciated the way that my son is able to see another way of life in America, that is the "urban life," and to see it through the positive lense of this lovable cat. We need more authors to celebrate and make positive the experience of kids growing up in the city which also helps suburban kids (and parents) to see another way of life. Isn't that what Sesame Street was all about? GET this book, it's truly an excellent piece of children's literature!

11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "Black Cat" by Christopher Myers, September 19, 2000

By 

J. Perez (San Diego, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Black Cat (Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor Books) (Hardcover)

I first saw this book when I was visiting the Art Institute of Chicago where it was being featured. The entire book is visually intriguing! I've never seen a book quite like it. Although the book is classified as a children's book, I think that anyone would enjoy it. Myers' book is a poem that takes you through Brooklyn by following a seemingly mysterious cat accompanied by wonderful and colorful collages. The book has become a favorite of mine, so I would strongly recommend it!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Stirring Book for All Audiences!!, March 23, 2008

By 

J.L.O. (VA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Black Cat (Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor Books) (Hardcover)

I found this book on clearance at a local teacher's store; when I picked it up and skimmed it, I was blown away by the unique illustrations and the beautiful poem. As a teacher I absolutely believe this book is appropriate for all audiences, all ages, anywhere-- Just as the front cover states, "Black Cat's rhythmic poetry and bold collage art will stimulate readers of all ages to explore their own feelings about identity, beauty, and home." This is not a book exclusively for "advanced readers" or "older readers"; this book will attract even the younger reader's attention. Stories of identity, beauty, and home are universal and even applicable to "middle America".