Customer Reviews

Cattus Petasatus: The Cat in the Hat in Latin (Latin Edition)

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
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1 star:		(0)

 

 

I am a three year Latin student, and am particularly obsessed with the language. When I got this book, I was expecting a light and funny Latin read. However, I was surprised by its difficulty. Because the book has been (brilliantly) rendered into the same rhyming meter as Seuss' English version, the words in Latin do not directly correspond to the English. This makes it infinately more challeging, in that you cannot check your translation against the English book. In fact, it took me a good month or so to get through it. Despite the challenge, it was highly enjoyable to read. I am amazed by the skill it would take to rhyme the words in Latin in the same way Seuss originally did, while keeping the same baisic meaning. If students of the language would like a slightly easier read, I would highly recommend "Ferdinandus Taurus", which is also fun to read but with less complex language and grammar.

Having studied Latin throughout high school, I could appreciate the innovation and creativity necessary to translate Dr. Seuss' classic story while still preserving rhyme and meter. However, my little sister, who has just recently learned to read on such classics as "The Cat in the Hat," perhaps enjoyed "Cattus Petasatus" even more than I did. Not automatically looking to identify subject and verb, she giggled with delight at the new words that roll off the tongue with the catchy meter and bragged to my parents that she was able to speak Latin! Because the pictures are the same as the English, she was able to follow the storyline and give expression to the words.

Whether as an introduction to Latin or an amusing twist of the Dr. Seuss classic, "Cattus Petasatus" is a wonderful variation that will make the reader and audience smile.

I wish, oh I wish I had this book back in middle school where we had two years of Latin. What a good idea this is, to take a familiar story and have it so you can compare it to the Latin, especially the grammar. The fact it is a kid's book makes it even simpler; the sentence structures are more or less straightforward. We translated Beatles songs like "I wanna hold your hand" into Latin but I wish I had had this book!

This is a great idea. Why didn't someone do it before?

Having tried to learn Latin, I found reading the Classics was extremely difficult. Afterall, it is written by a native speaker, and I am no Latin native speaker. So I found this book to be very useful. The only problem is that it emulates Dr. Seuss's writing so well, that the whole book uses pretty much once case in Latin. You will learn that case very well, but won't be able to practice other cases in normal writing. However, I think it was a terrific idea, and I like the fact that all the words are listed in the back (as well as the context). The fact that it uses more mundane words (compare with Caesar's Gaelic Wars) is also great for intermediate readers.

All in all, I consider it time well spent, not to mention, its just fun reading Dr. Seuss in Latin.

As a child I was very familiar with the story of "The Cat In The Hat" as most American children are. Now as a beginning Latin student I saw the famous story in a whole new light in this new Latin edition. It inspires me to learn Latin, proving that Latin is alive and in use. It also enhances my knowledge, exposure, and experience of this important language. I found it very helpful and useful as I can figure out the story and words by drawing back on my childhood love of Dr Suess. I strongly recomend this book to any Latin student.

I thought the Cat in the Hat was good in English. But now I can read this fabulous work of literature and teach my children the greatest language since Greek. Recommended for all!

It's well known that Dr. Seuss wrote The Cat in the Hat in response to a challenge to write a children's book only using 40 basic vocabulary words. Now a new spin brings basic vocabulary to another language. Latin, often thought to be the "dead" language, is brought alive with something other than the so called "dead guys." Here the reader can have a basis in the book, and verse, beforehand and see it and Latin anew in this translation. The translators do a marvelous job of mimicing the rhythm and meter of Seuss's charming tale. And with the Seuss drawings intact the connection between the text in Latin and the story is there to help you along. It makes Latin accessible and that's not a small feat. Read it aloud and you feel so very intelligent. Try this book - it's fun.

This book is hilarious. It doesn't have any educational value (if that's what you're looking for) but it's great just for laughs and can be read many times. Note that the language used is not so easy and not suitable unless you've had three or four years of Latin. If you need something simpler (for young children) you will be better off with Puer Zingiberi Panis: et Fabulae Alterae (Latin Edition).

See my 'Latin Reading List' and 'Best Latin Books for Kids and Teens'.

This book goes best with the English version of The Cat In The Hat. Together this and that can be used to practice learning Latin and improve your skills. As a combo, the two books together make excellent educational gifts!

Just like cat in the hat in English but Latin and perfect for learning Latin. There is even a dictionary in the back to explain the words in the book.