Crispin the Terrible [Hardcover]

Bob Morris (Author), Dasha Ziborova (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 2000

Crispin is a dignified cat with an undignified lifestyle. He lives with a family that simply doesn't appreciate him. (He feels.) If he's not blamed for things that he didn't do, then he is treated like a toy. Or worse, ignored as if he were a piece of furniture.

In this witty picture book, children will be amused by Crispin's arch tone of voice and amazed by the adventures he dreams up in his intrepid, albeit imaginary, quest for an independent life, away from his "tormenting" family. Along the way, children will also learn, together with Crispin, a valuable lesson about the importance of a family's love over more selfish desires.

The watercolor collage paintings that run throughout are absolutely magnificent. In each scene Crispin's naughty but lovable character shines as he embroils himself in humorous shenanigans. Children will love picking out all of the details in his varied surroundings.

Parents will be delighted that Crispin The Terrible is not only a thoroughly enjoyable book, but touches on a child's first feelings of independence; and, at heart, promotes the message of family love.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 3-In this offbeat story, a feisty feline is fed up with his life as Crispin the Good. "My life is no bowl of tuna," he laments. He fantasizes about acting out and pursuing a new life-as an explorer, a samurai, a country cat, or a recluse-anything but "the family cat." Finally, while hiding in a closet, he becomes curious about the noises outside. He peeks out to see his bereft family making lost-cat signs. "WOW!-How could I have thought of deserting them? Even if you have nine lives, you only have one family." With his vivid imagination and a humorous perspective on the world, Crispin is really the Eloise of cats. Ziborova's hilarious and sassy collages combine edgy drawings with photographs and numerous amusing touches. Pair this title with Peter Collington's Clever Cat (Knopf, 2000) for a look at some mighty unusual felines.
Bina Williams, Bridgeport Public Library, CT
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Ages 4-8. Clever hipster collages are the strength of this simple story about a cat's rebellious phase. Crispin the cat lives a comfortable but chaotic life with a chic urban family. Although he never complains, he suffers from a variety of indignities (the children dress him in ridiculous outfits) and noise (the New Age parents' chanting). Feeling unappreciated, he dreams of becoming a different sort of cat: Crispin the Terrible, who would "unarrange the flowers and delete stuff on the computer"; Crispin the Explorer, who would switch places with a Japanese cat and move to a traditional fishing village; and Crispin the Country Cat. Children will connect with Crispin's ploy for attention that comes at the book's end, when he eventually hides, prompts a frantic search, and then enjoys coddling and rewards when he is found. The sophisticated, whimsical collages portray silly situations and strong characters that kids will like, as well as details that will amuse the adults reading to them. Not a necessary purchase, but this offers stylish fun for a trendy audience. Gillian Engberg
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Product Details

• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Callaway Children's; 1st edition (October 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0935112448
• ISBN-13: 978-0935112443
• Product Dimensions: 12 x 9 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,775,469 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Everybody Loves It, October 5, 2000

By 

Phelim Dolan "pkd" (NY, NY USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Crispin the Terrible (Hardcover)

My wife and I have been reading this book to our kids. Our five year old loves the story and pictures. Our three year old has really responded to the story of a cat imagining himself in different relationships to his (human) family. I think this theme has really hit a nerve with her as she starts to realize the ways in which she can relate to the world around her. Fantastic pictures and an amusing story make this one of those books that appeals to the adults as well as the kids. But unlike some books that are hailed for appealing to the whole family, this one stays focused on the kids reading it.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Tastes good as tuna!, November 17, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Crispin the Terrible (Hardcover)

What a delight to run across a book that makes me feel so much love for my own Crispin the Terrible. Chrildren and adults should be able to relate to such a sassy malcontent. I can't wait to share this with my fiesty little nephew over the holidays.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Meow Meow Super Purrrfect!, November 13, 2000

By 

wendy dembo (new york, ny United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Crispin the Terrible (Hardcover)

Could a book be any more fun, more charming, more silly? I think not! Yesterday, I was reading "Crispin the Terrible" with my three year old niece and we had such a great time. We crawled around on the floor and acted out all of the mad-cap crazy Crispin antics. All I can say, is that is too bad that Halloween was last month, otherwise, I know exactly what we would be- Crispin the Terrible.