Klimt and His Cat [Hardcover]

Berenice Capatti (Author), Octavia Monaco (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 6 and up | Grade Level: 1 and up

Follow me into Gustavs studio - it is alive with color! Look at the paintbrushes, the reds and blues and colorful hues that spill onto the table. Smell the scent of paint, of oil, of canvas... Katze, the loyal cat of Gustav Klimt, takes readers on an exciting journey into the world of the famous Viennese painter. From distracting Gustavs models to tagging along with Gustav on vacations, Katze always provides keen insight about the artists work and thoughts. Enchanting illustrations, suggestive of Gustav Klimts own style and enlivened by the lovable and curious Katze, make Klimt and His Cat a book for readers of all ages. This book not only teaches about the artwork of the Secessionist artist, but also suggests the importance of hard work, dedication, and being true to oneself.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 2-6–Klimt, founder of the late-19th-century Secessionist Art Movement in Vienna, probably has greater renown in Europe than in the U.S. However, American children will enjoy this aesthetically pleasing fictional biography as told by the artist's cat, Katze. The feline takes readers into Klimt's studio to see the decorative, stylized paintings. Then, through conversations and the cat's observations, readers gain insight into the artist's personality, thoughts, and philosophy on art and life. None of this is as heavy as it might seem, given Klimt's erotic and psychological preoccupations. The cat's tale is much softer, much lighter–a child's interpretation of the paintings. There is no dumbing down–just appreciation from a different perspective. The mixed-media illustrations work wonderfully with the story. Done in the decorative, ornamental style of Klimt himself, they shine with gold, rich fabrics, paint, and photographs. The effect is as dazzling as his originals. They invite study and appreciation. Readers will need to look twice to distinguish between the illustrations and the reproductions of Klimt's paintings included at the book's conclusion. This richly illustrated, sophisticated work is a beautiful addition to picture-book collections.–Carolyn Janssen, Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County, OH
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

Gr. 1-3. An art-savvy cat narrates this whimsical, fictionalized story of artist Gustav Klimt, which is illustrated with dazzling collages reminiscent of the artist's work. Katze, as Klimt calls his pet, describes watching the painter work in his studio and accompanying Klimt as he gathers inspiration on walks through gardens and museums, on boating outings, and even on a trip to Italy. Monaco's beautiful compositions swirl with dreamlike ribbons of dazzling color, patterns, and angular figures that borrow directly from Klimt's work, and a few of Klimt's paintings (including images of bare-breasted models) appear in small reproductions at the book's end. Children looking for literal representation of the words may have trouble making out the stylized forms, but even those who are hesitant at first will be attracted by the accessible descriptions of an artist at work and the glittering, gold-accented shapes and fanciful design. This isn't a necessary purchase, but it's an intriguing, attractive introduction to an individual who's rarely featured in books for youth. Gillian Engberg
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 6 and up
  
• Hardcover: 40 pages
• Publisher: Eerdmans Books For Young Readers (September 22, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0802852823
• ISBN-13: 978-0802852823
• Product Dimensions: 12.7 x 8.9 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #706,066 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Seaside, January 15, 2006

By 

Melville "seaside" (Ma. 01930) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Klimt and His Cat (Hardcover)

Great book to use in the classroom. Beautiful illustrations. I have done a lot with Klimt in the classroom and this book will really help the young children enjoy him even more. And maybe inpsire lots of their own masterpieces.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Klimt's Cat, March 30, 2011

By 

janet - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Klimt and His Cat (Hardcover)

I'm an art teacher and planned on using this book for a lesson on Klimt.The book is beautiful and a great idea to have the art of Gustav Klimt observed by the studio cat. However, there were pictures in the book that were not suited for elementary-age children. I will keep the book for myself but can't use it at school.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fun fiction, just full of facts., June 17, 2009

By 

Susan E. Josephson "moms_second_job" (Twin Peaks, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Klimt and His Cat (Hardcover)

Easy to understand information and great pictures. I teach Spec. Ed. so the storyline appealed to multiple age & academic levels.