Motley [Hardcover]

Susannah Amoore (Author), Mary Fedden (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 1998 | Age Level: 5 and up

A talented new artist makes a stunning debut

Motley, the striped-like-a-tiger cat, is looking for a home of his own. When he finds two little girls in the garden of the very tall house with the blue door, it looks as though his search is over. But only a cat of quite exceptional power can make dreams come true....With bold, vibrant illustrations by contemporary British artist Mary Fedden, this is a haunting and magical tale about a truly unforgettable cat.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 2AMotley, a "striped-like-a-tiger" cat, exudes elegance and power. When he first appears at a house by the river, the two little girls who live there are entranced, but they can't keep him because they already have a pet. However, this special feline is determined to find a home. Filled with strong images and rich language, Motley's story reads like a retelling of a legend about an ancient warrior. The text is printed in a wide column on one side of every double-page spread, creating a layout that showcases Fedden's brightly colored, textured paintings. The combination of distinguished artwork and highly descriptive language results in a refreshingly different story. However, the climax of the taleAthe reappearance of this magnificent feline on the very day the family loses their beloved elderly catAseems too convenient even though this is based on a true story. While not as endearing as Ann Martin's Leo the Magnificat (Scholastic, 1996), this title would provide a nice British flavor to a collection in need of some variety.AJackie Hechtkopf, Talent House School, Fairfax, VA
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Ages 3^-8. Motley the Cat wants a home of his own. And when he meets two little girls on one of his many wanderings, it looks as if he's found it. But timing is everything; sometimes destiny plays a part, and when the right thing happens, it's magical. Amoore uses elegant, poetic prose, perfect for reading aloud, with wonderful rhythms peppered with occasional, surprising rhymes. The descriptions are imaginative, and they creatively capture sights, smells, and sounds from both feline and human perspectives for greater depth and compassion. Like T. S. Eliot's Jellicle Cats, striped-like-a-tiger Motley is mysterious, playful, and clever, less capricious than contemplative; he knows that sometimes things worth having are worth waiting for. The contemporary, brightly colored artwork is gorgeous, juxtaposing colors and patterns with unexpected details and perspectives to engage both young and old in seek-and-find. There's a home for every heart and a heart for every home in this delightful story of dreams and the magic of the perfect fit. Shelle Rosenfeld

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Viking Juvenile; illustrated edition edition (January 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0670877301
• ISBN-13: 978-0670877300
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 8.5 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,845,210 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars cat wisdom, August 27, 2001

By 

Alejandra Vernon "artist & illustrator" (Long Beach, California) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (COMMUNITY FORUM 04)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Motley (Hardcover)

This is a true story about Motley, who found a home with writer Susannah Amoore, in a very cat-like manner, wisely waiting for the right time and circumstance. Susannah is a poet, who also writes for Condé Nast Publications. Motley's story is beautifully written, in what could be called "grown-up language", with words like "catapult" and "frenzied" that younger children might not understand, but would be good for them to hear read and explained to them. Children of all ages however will delight in the whimsical illustrations by Mary Fedden, a superb artist with a unique sense of perspective, and a great eye for color.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Marvelously artistic paintings, April 28, 2000

By 

Nancy Parry McCluer - See all my reviews

This review is from: Motley (Hardcover)

Author Susannah Amoore uses her poetically descriptive writing style to tell the story of how she and her two young daughters were "adopted" by Motley, a humongous tiger-striped cat with a wide nose and lime green eyes who was so ugly he was beautiful.

The text is illustrated with marvelously artistic paintings by British contemporary artist Mary Fedden. Her style is boldly primitive images against a textured background.

Cat lovers ought to appreciate the story of how cats use their magic to choose their family. Art lovers will love Fedden's paintings. Non-cat or art lovers might want to pass this one by.