Minifred Goes to School [Hardcover]

Mordicai Gerstein (Author, Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 3 and up | Grade Level: P and up

Rules are made to be broken,

Especially for Minifred. But if she wants to go to school, she'll have to behave, right? Maybe not, because Minifred isn't a regular child—she's a kitten! In this playful picture book from Caldecott Medalist Mordicai Gerstein, Minifred makes her own rules about how to have fun.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

When Mr. and Mrs. Portly find a tiny kitten in their home, they name her Minifred and raise her as their child. Minifred grows up in a remarkably human fashion: she walks on two legs, talks, and attends school with children. She retains a few feline traits, though, such as a tendency to chase flies and a refusal to follow rules. Minifred’s willfulness leads to problems at school, until the principal checks “The Big Rule Book” and discovers an exemption for kittens. A plot summary doesn’t begin to convey the fun of watching this cheerful kitten create chaos at school simply by following her instincts and inclinations. In scenes worthy of an obedient student’s escapist daydreams, Minifred finger paints with her toes, runs up walls, tears through the school, and eventually winds up at its highest point, spinning on the weather vane. Lively, colorful mixed-media illustrations magnify the absurdity of the story in this satisfying picture book. Preschool-Grade 3. --Carolyn Phelan

About the Author

Mordicai Gerstein is the author and illustrator of many beloved books for children. He won the 2004 Caldecott Medal for The Man Who Walked Between the Towers and is also a painter, sculptor, and prizewinning designer and director of animated films. Mordicai Gerstein lives in western Massachusetts with his wife, Susan Yard Harris, who is also an illustrator, and their daughter, Risa.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 3 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins (June 23, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060758899
• ISBN-13: 978-0060758899
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.8 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,311,704 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars odd, January 19, 2010

By 

Melissa Sack (georgia) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Minifred Goes to School (Hardcover)

This book starts out on an odd note and really doesn't get much better. Mr Portly finds a kitten in his couch while vacuuming the cushions. The Portly's have always wanted a child so they take the kitten in a treat her like a child. She is very spoiled and has run of the house. One day she decides that she wants to go to school so her parents enroll her. At school things go from bad to worse. Minifred obey none of the rules and cause trouble at every turn. I found this story all a little far fetched. The imagination can only stretch so far and the book really stretched mine to the limit. There was no resolve at the end. Minifred doesn't learn any lessons and she still continues to defy all authority. As my children and I read this they really thought that Minifred was a brat! We used this book to talk about rules and why we have them, so I guess all is not lost!

4.0 out of 5 stars A book kids will like, parents will not, April 4, 2011

By 

D. Jones "Dan-X !" (Denton, Texas) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Minifred Goes to School (Hardcover)

I agree with the other reviews that Minifred Goes To School does not present the best 'message' for children. However, give kids some credit. Just because they read a book in which a kitten gets to act spoiled and disobey rules is that going to make them think it's ok for them to do the same? It's because of the main character's ability to go against the rules that many children will enjoy this story. Through Minifred my daughter can live vicariously. She's six and has enough sense to know Minifred is just a silly story but she appreciates the comeuppance the adults get who are forever making rules for children to abide by. My daughter asked me to read this book to her several nights in a row. My primary goal in reading to her is to encourage a lifelong love of reading. If Minifred does this then it's a very good book, in my opinion.