Go Home!: The True Story of James the Cat [Library Binding]

Libby Phillips Meggs (Author, Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 5 and up

A homeless cat spends several seasons trying to survive the elements until at last a suburban family adopts him.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 3-A simple, heartwarming story. James can't remember when he lived with the people who put the now-too-tight collar on him so many years ago. He is too busy trying to survive on his own. When a kind family gives him a little attention, he thinks that maybe he has found a new home. However, the family members believe that the cat must belong to someone and shoo him away. James doesn't forget them, and returns the next summer tired, hungry, and badly injured. This time the family realizes that James is truly a stray and adopts him. Many of the pictures are realistic, close-up drawings of the animals, including a ferocious neighborhood dog that attacks the lonely cat. Humans are barely depicted at all, which keeps children's attention focused on the feline's tale. Young audiences will surely have a more sympathetic attitude toward stray cats after reading this compassionate story.
Christine Lindsey, Lake Superior Primary School, Ashland, WI
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Meggs' lovely picture book, based on a true story, teaches children about kindness. It is not a stereotypical lost animal story. It's about an older cat, a cat with a collar, that everyone assumes has a home. In reality, though, the cat is lost, hungry, and desolate. Meggs captures the cat's lonely plight in watercolors that juxtapose the glow of firelight inside with the harsh winter landscape outside, including unexpected wildness hidden in suburban yards--an owl poised for attack, a slavering dog about to rip into its prey). The book follows the cat on its rounds from winter to late summer, eventually showing how a family that once dismissed the animal ("Go home!") comes to its rescue. The illustration of a snarling dog is especially notable for the way it seems to pop off the page. This story about belonging and the importance of making sure others belong too is effectively delivered in a way youngsters can understand. Connie Fletcher

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Library Binding: 32 pages
• Publisher: Albert Whitman & Company (March 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0807529753
• ISBN-13: 978-0807529751
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 8.2 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,520,126 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars --A powerful and genuine story--, March 10, 2002

By 

Judith Miller (Bluemont, VA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Go Home!: The True Story of James the Cat (Library Binding)

My friend Ann told me about this little book, and I decided that I too, should read it.

This is a poignant story of a lost and lonely cat. He's very attractive with black fur, a white chest, and white paws. The little feline wonders through a neighborhood hungry and weak, seeking a safe place. He meets some children and their mother who appear to admire him, but because he's wearing a collar they assume he belongs to someone in the area. The truth is, he's been lost for a long time and he has no home. The collar, once placed on him with care, is now outgrown and is causing him a great deal of pain. He does not remember how to get home. Months pass and the cat is slowly starving to death because he's too weak to hunt. One day, the exhausted cat is confronted by a large and aggressive dog. What happens to the cat and how he gets his name is a story every child will love.

This beautifully told narrative is well accompanied by memorable and touching illustrations. The fact that this is a true story makes it very powerful and reminds us that a stray animal may need help.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Touching Tale, August 5, 2002

By 

Karen E. Woods (Richmond, VA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Go Home!: The True Story of James the Cat (Library Binding)

Our family recently had the opportunity to attend a program at our local library. The author, Libby Meggs read this book, Go Home! and presented a slide show of the real James the cat. We learned of the process she followed translating her photographs into the beautiful, detailed illustrations contained in the book. The reading itself provided a most touching tale of love and caring for young children. Highly recommended!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Winner of the national ASPCA Henry Bergh Award!, March 18, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Go Home!: The True Story of James the Cat (Library Binding)

This book won the coveted national ASPCA Henry Bergh Award for humanitarian children's literature. Deservedly so!

It is a poignant story that teaches kindness to animals without preaching. The detailed, realistic illustrations are beautiful. I think this book should have won a Caldecott Award as well!