Cool Cat's neighborhood isn't so cool. It's barren and brown, littered with rusty cans and broken bottles. No problem. With an old paint box, a troop of helpful animals, and lots of imagination, Cool Cat turns the world around him into a Rousseau-style masterpiece. An enchanting story of resourcefulness and positive thinking, COOL CAT shows how working together can make miracles.
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Editorial Reviews
From School Library Journal
PreSchool-Grade 1—A vacant lot strewn with garbage is transformed by an artistic and imaginative black cat in this wordless picture book. Using paints and brushes from his wooden art box, the feline covers his drab surroundings with leaves and sky, enlisting the help of some birds and woodland creatures that take up brushes to add flowers, trees, and a pond. When butterflies arrive and a mallard comes to swim, the landscape is complete and it's time for the cat to put painting supplies away, smell the roses, and settle down for a nap. Simple, almost childlike art in the lush colors of summer combines with brilliant composition to tell the story. The cover image of the cat carrying a wooden box immediately draws readers in, and endpapers are used to great effect: in front they present the bleak scene and add a touch of mystery with the partial appearance of the cat hidden behind a pile of rocks; at back, they provide a satisfying conclusion, depicting a colorful meadow filled with flowers. The cat begins his work in the lower right-hand corner and each page turn reveals more and more of the new setting and the animals that help create it and then revel in the fruition of their handiwork. Both visually and conceptually, this is a gem.—Marie Orlando, North Shore Public Library, Shoreham, NY END
Review
“Esteemed artist Hogrogian relates her visual narrative with sincere and unabashed charm given texture by her slightly naïve and childlike art, and the multitude of “spot the little critter” opportunities (each new painting buddy pops up as a quiet viewer a spread or so before joining in on the labor) adds an element of seek-and-find gamesmanship to the art.” —Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
“Hogrogian (One Fine Day) steps softly back into the field with a quiet and thought-provoking wordless book.” —The Horn Book
“Both visually and conceptually, this is a gem.” —School Library Journal
“The spreads are paced as carefully as a dance, as animals gradually appear one after another, first observing, then embarking on projects of their own. In Hogrogian's silent yet richly imagined vision of the Peaceable Kingdom, the animals do not just inhabit their world but work together to help mend it—a vision of possibility.” —Publishers Weekly
“Preschoolers will grin with delight as each page turn reveals something new.” —Starred, Kirkus Reviews
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
ELLs,
By
This review is from: Cool Cat (Hardcover)
This wordless book is useful in teaching ELLs because though wordless it tells a story.
3.0 out of 5 stars
wordless fun,
By
This review is from: Cool Cat (Hardcover)
An industrious cat lies in a bleak and barren landscape; then he begins to rub some blue into the backdrop, page by page, he is joined by a new animal: a mouse, a rabbit, a bird and more who collaborate to bring a profusion of color to the increasingly luscious scene. Only a duck does not help but waits patiently until he can float in the water. When the scenery is complete, the cat collects all the brushes, waves goodbye to all the animals, takes a whiff of a beautiful red rose, and then lies down in the grass to sleep. Young children will enjoy "reading" this wordless book.
3.0 out of 5 stars
Cute Wordless Book - "Cool Cat",
This review is from: Cool Cat (Hardcover)
"Cool Cat" is a cute wordless book that features a black-and-white cat.
At first, when the story begins all we get to see is a peek of his/her black back, ears, and tail hiding behind some rocks. The colors at this point are subtle: a soothing, muted palette of browns and gray/blacks that remind me of some classic Japanese art that includes cats. Everything looks serene, but soon we see that it's not. The landscape is littered with rubbish. It's then you notice that the cat has a wooden box filled with something that's not quite identifiable. Soon enough though you see that there are tubes of paint and brushes; which soon the cat is using to alter his reality. Kitty starts in one corner with some lovely green leaves. Next he uses a rag a begin to mix blue and white to make a cheerful sky. He works alone until a mouse and bunny join him. Their works continues until their work transforms their world into a park-like setting with a pond, wild roses and butterflies. Talking Points Nonny Hogrogian's artwork is cheerful and kid-friendly. The pictures shows a magical transformation of the animals' environment as they paint over the muted shades of rocks and soil to create a vibrantly green and blue world. What message you take from "Cool Cat" will have to be of your own making as the book is wordless. You could say that the book demonstrates the positive theme that one person has the power to change the world-- if only they start. Or you could tie this book into an environmental study unit and say that joined together a community can made vast improvements. Or finally, you could just let the magically images remain voiceless. Pam T~ mom and reviewer at BooksForKids-reviews (1050)
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