Customer Reviews

Here Comes the Cat!

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

 

 

Here Comes the Cat is an exciting collaboration between an American writer and a Russian illustrator. Both Frank Asch and Vladimir Vagin play their parts distinctively. The story is filled with suspense, exciting action, and a thought-provoking reversal. The mice characters, representing humans of many ethnicities, react to the news of an approaching cat. The words, found in text balloons, repeat the exclamation, "Here comes the cat!" Yet in every case, we find them in both English and Russian. Signs on stores, also in both languages, offer a wider variety of reading opportunities. The book introduces first-grade readers to the concept of translation. All the visual elements of the book, from the calligraphic text to the full-page illustrations, have a strong and authentic Russian style. The art is excellent.

A little Mouse, aloft in his balloon, sees an ominous shadow approaching the country of his people! Fleeing homeward, he cries warning to every Mouse he meets: "Here comes the Cat! Ciuda idyot Kot!" Soon the alarm is being passed from one to the other, until the entire Mouse population awaits in dread the arrival of the Cat. What will happen when Mice and Cat come face to face? Something quite unexpected! Significantly, this lovely little book is the creation of two authors, one American and the other Russian. After meeting in 1986 at a Soviet/American childrens' book symposium, they decided to collaborate on a tale with a message of harmonious coexistence. Vladimir Vagin's exquisite, highly-detailed, colorful paintings must be seen to be appreciated. And Frank Asch's story of fear and friendship will warm the hearts of adults and children lucky enough to read "Here Comes the Cat!"

A cornerstone book in my work with children on bullying, prejudice and conflict resolution. It's a story that was written in a collaboration between an American Author and a Russian Author. The book addresses the issue of perceptions and conditioning very effectively. Great launching point for discussion about prejudice.

The best part of this book is the subtle humor. It is no wonder the word is being spread so well that a cat is coming. Cats are supposed to dispatch mice with no sympathy whatsoever so having ample warning is sensible. That is what is seen page after page. The illustrations are captivating, the message is repetitive. My son spent six months in St. Petersburg and he says the humor is representative of the culture he enjoyed there. My preschool age granddaughters love this book and having had hundreds of books read to them, they should be good critics.

This almost wordless book is a collaborative effort, and the story of that collaboration is half the joy of the book. Great illustrations lead a child to tell the story, which has a surprise happy twist ending. Better daytime reading than bedtime reading, since there isn't much to actually read. As always with Frank Asch, a huge hit for very visual children or young artists!

The story is in the art. The line about the cat is repeated from page to page. Cute pictures with repeating phrase. The phrase is stated on each page. When you turn the page you will see the phrase. Each page, same phrase.

Summary
This book is a story in English and Russian, in which the mouse community warns everyone that the cat is coming. The reader assumes the warning is out of fear, but in fact, everyone looks forward to the arrival of a cat, who brings them all cheese.

Illustrations
Wonderful, full page illustrations.