From School Library Journal
K-Gr 2-Edna is a vain cat who is very proud of her beautiful white tail. She usually doesn't take to traipsing through the woods, but she's willing to go there to attend a party for a new cat in the neighborhood. She primps and fluffs and then starts off, but something seems to be following her. She runs faster and faster, followed by the culprit, until at last she turns around and catches it. Much to her surprise, it's her own tail (with branches and brambles that entwined themselves along the way). After meeting Ivan, a Manx cat, Edna learns that good friends are more important than appearances. The gouache illustrations perfectly capture the personalities of this feline cast of characters-not to mention Edna's fondness for pink-and will appeal to cat lovers everywhere.
Genevieve Ceraldi, New York Public Library
Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
Ages 4-7. Edna is a white cat with a plumelike tail that's the envy of her friends. She's worried when she learns that a new cat, Ivan, also has a tail worth seeing. On the day of Ivan's party, Edna shampoos, conditions, and sprays her tail to a fare-thee-well. But as she runs through the woods to the party, she senses that something is following her. It must be a monster! She dashes into the party and lunges at the monster tangled in her tail--which
is her tail, full of leaves and twigs, and twice its normal size, thanks to all that spray. Hideously embarrassed, Edna is put at ease by Ivan, a Manx cat, whose claim to fame is virtually no tail at all. The story is cute, but Bechtold's terrific artwork is what elevates this above many picture books. With bold, deep navy strokes outlining Edna and most objects, the bright gouache art will show up exceedingly well at story hours. Everything shimmers with movement and shines with fun in this witty, well-conceived offering.
Ilene CooperCopyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
