Minou [Hardcover]

Mindy Bingham (Author), Itoko Maeno (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1987 | Age Level: 9 and up

A cat who does not know how to take care of herself is abandoned in the streets of Paris and discovers self-reliance by working as a mouser at the Notre Dame Cathedral.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

This lavishly illustrated story acts as both a guide to the city of Paris, where the story occurs, and as a metaphor about self-reliance. Minou is a pampered Siamese cat whose owner dies suddenly, leaving her totally helpless. Her entry into the real world is doomed until a friendly feline teaches her to stay alive in the city streets. The Place de la Concorde, Seine and Arc de Triomphe are all here, in vibrant watercolor washes, as is Notre Dame, where Minou eventually finds a home. A glossary gives a brief history of these landmarks and the author, executive director of a regional Girls Club of America, has included a list of ways girls can prepare for the future. The call for independence, though somewhat overstated in the text, is one all children can heed. All ages.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Grade 2-4 This modern-day fable in picture book format makes its point easily and neatly but certainly not subtly. Minou, a Parisian cat, has been taken care of all her life. When her owner becomes ill, she is left to fend for herself. Minou finds a job (mousecatcher at Notre Dame Cathedral) and is much happier leading a useful life. The moral, is, of course, that women who are ``taken care of'' may find themselves in helpless situations, while those who take charge of their own lives will be both happier and more fulfilled. Soft watercolors and clean lines make for a pretty book with attractive scenes of Paris that young French students might enjoy, and the story itelf will provoke much discussion. Deanna J. McDaniel, Elmwood Elementary School, Lima, Ohio
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9 and up
  
• Hardcover: 64 pages
• Publisher: Advocacy Press (May 1987)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0911655360
• ISBN-13: 978-0911655360
• Product Dimensions: 12.1 x 9.1 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,464,280 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Intriguing and Beautiful, November 8, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Minou (Hardcover)

All three of my children, ages 2, 6, and 8, huddled around to hear this entire story! (How often does THAT happen?) The illustrations are simply beautiful, and in fact inspired my 6-year-old to experiment with more shades of color in his drawings, "like an artist." The story is intriguing, keeping my savvy 8-year-old interested to the end. We live in Paris now, so there was heightened interest to see familiar sights pictured in the story. Minou learns a valuable lesson. At the end of the story, however, I felt the message was somewhat forced. Still, I plan to give this book as Christmas gifts to all the cousins back in the U.S.A!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Lovely illustrations, good for girls, July 13, 2002

By 

Constance S. Edwards "constanceedwards" (Lafayette, CO United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Minou (Hardcover)

In a world where all too many girls' books are subtly anti-feminist, Minou is a parable for girls, both pre-reading and early reading age, that teaches the joys and pride of self sufficiency.

Girls readily identify with cats, dancers, artists, horses, and fairy tale heroines, and Minou is readily the first and the last -- but without the saccharine "Prince Charming" and his sweeping away to "Ever After" Land. Every girl I have read this book to, or read with has identified easily with Minou, and agreed that self sufficiency is far superior to dependency.

Maeno's illustrations are gorgeous, and as the "mother" of a small siamese, incredibly accurate in description and depiction.

The ending is not, as a previous reviewer stated, perfect, but it is an independent happy ending, and that alone makes this worth 4 stars.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Its very cute., October 28, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Minou (Hardcover)

Mindy Bingham

Minou

THIS BOOK IS VERY CUTE. i REALLY WISH i COULD HAVE I SO I COULD READ MORE TIMES. THIS BOOK IS A BOOK THAT A TEACHER RECCOMENDED TO ME IF IT WOULDNT BEEN BY THAT TEACHER I WOULDNT BE DOING THIS REVIEW. READ IT !