Customer Reviews

The Cat Came Back

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Fred Penner's book is beautifully illustrated, and there's a strong dose of humor in the book. I'm a huge fan of quirky books, and I usually don't take things too seriously. With that in mind, I have to say this book is AWFUL. I'm putting it away because it has no place in our home. My issues with it:

1. Mr. Johnson, in one of his attempts to get rid of his cat, puts it in a trunk and sinks it in the ocean. He's seen above the waves cheering as the trunk sinks to the bottom. It's pretty gruesome. I know the verses of the original rhyme are also gruesome, but that hasn't stopped other illustrators/authors from finding clever funny ways to interpret the lyrics--the way Mr. Penner and Renee Reichert choose to tell the story is really sick. Who celebrates drowning a cat??

2. In one of the scenes, as Mr. Johnson is trying to get rid of the cat he hates so much, he's seen dancing happily while an "adopt a friend" van drives away with the cat in a cage. The use of the word "adopt" for everything from roadside garbage cleanup to pets is controversial, I know, but if I were a young adopted child I wouldn't want to see this portrayal of the word "adopt"--even if it is for a pet. It's too easy to connect a celebrating Mr. Johnson with the scary thought of a celebrating birth/adoptive parent who is sending their child away for adoption. It's very frightening for a child to see "adopt" used in an "I'm going to get rid of you" or "I'm going to return you" sense.

In the dedication it says "Nothing is more important than the unity and strength of the Family." Lovely words, but there's no way I'd ever place this book in the collection of an adoptive family, or a family who teaches their kids to be compassionate toward animals.

A short but sweet and snappy tale, with great graphics, that will lead to many happy lisenting hours of story time for any child!

Loved the book and thought the illustrations brought the story to life!

-Liz Donroe-

My son LOVES this song, so I was excited to get him the book. I was a little disappointed that only the chorus was the same as the song we sing together. The "verses" were different, and didn't have the right number of syllables to sing. The pictures were great, and so was the story. It works fine as a book, but if you want to sing it, you may be disappointed.

I remember this song from 2nd grade, and was very pleased to find that it was made into a book. My kids love it.

Great book for any cat lover

author of "Hobo Finds A Home"

This is a book that not only is fun to read but the illustrations capture and hold your attention throughout. The colors are vibrant and the detail is whimsical and will make you smile. Each page is artwork you will want to frame.

It is a keepsake for my kids!

The Cat Came Back, and I'm glad he did! Fred Penner's exciting new rendition of an old folk song that he had previously made famous is wonderfully simpatico with Renee Reichert's beautifully rendered pastels. Each spread is a masterpiece that can stand on its own merits. Her artistic style and approach are both unique and warmly familiar at the same time. She takes us through the cat's wild adventures with skill and flair.

As the suspense of the cat's certain grand exit builds, the words and pictures create a humorous tale of the cat's staying power to Mr. Johnson's chagrin. The slyly hidden details in each illustration make reading the story a new experience every time for adult and child alike.

This new and witty presentation of an old and loved folk song is destined to become a classic in it's own right. This time, I think that Cat IS here to stay!