Mama Cat's Year [Library Binding]

Norma Simon (Author), Dora Leder (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 5 and up

Mama Cat may not know the names of the months of the year, but she knows when the seasons change. And in her special cat way, she knows each season's pleasures. Softly colored detailed pencil illustrations complement a gentle story that will be treasured by cat lovers young and old. Full color.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 3-- A warm picture book that takes a suburban family through the course of a year by describing their cat's behavior and reactions during each season. The book begins with autumn, when Mama Cat experiences the thickening of her fur for winter, and continues through the chewing of the soft new grass in spring, the birth of her babies in summer, and rolling in giant piles of leaves the following fall. The pencil-and-watercolor illustrations are colorful, clear, and complement the poetic prose. This is a good read-aloud choice that can also be read independently by second and third graders. A sensory seasonal tour that will hold special appeal for cat lovers. --Dorothy Evans, Chicago Public Library
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Kirkus Reviews

A new approach to the changing seasons--depicting them from the point of view of a favorite pet. As the children here explain, their cat is especially aware of her environment and adept at expressing her preferences. She has her own responses, like fur that grows thick in the fall, plus many traits are similar to a child's: she enjoys playfully testing the snow but is happiest snuggled up inside when it's cold; she luxuriates in the spring sun and even tastes the grass. Each season brings its own pleasures, which she enjoys with all five senses (there are also a few problems, like summer's ticks and fleas). The simple, informative text is amplified by appealing realistic pictures. A fine concept book. (Picture book. 3-7) -- Copyright ©1991, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Library Binding
• Publisher: Albert Whitman & Co (June 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0807549584
• ISBN-13: 978-0807549582
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.7 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,539,743 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 A Cute Book - a review of "Mama Cat's Year"Looking for Child Friendly Science Book - a review of "Mama Cat's Year", January 30, 2006

By 

Pam Tee "Busy Mom" - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Mama Cat's Year (Library Binding)

by Norma Simon
I'm surprised that this book is not more popular. It makes a great science text for small fry. Using a large orange tabby as the central character, children are invited to use their eyes, ears, nose, skin and tongue to `think' about the four seasons -- much in the fashion of mama cat who may know *of* the seasons, even though she doesn't know their names.

For winter, for example, children are reminded of how animals coats grow thicker to keep them warm. Children are also reminded of how they, themselves, can feel the snow and ice; how the wind blows and feels differently than the breezes of summer.

The artwork (which is very good) demonstrates even more facets of the seasons, showing adults and children playing and working differently according to the season.

Four Stars. If you are looking for a `science' book for younger children this would be a good choice. You can teach not only about the four seasons, but about how our `senses' work to `educate' us. Observation is emphasized. The artwork is good. The story is cute and it eventually shows mama cat's kittens.

Note: for those of you who are sensitive to such matters, there is a depiction of children in halloween costumes.