Pretend You're a Cat (Picture Puffins) (Paperback)

by Jean Marzollo (Author), Jerry Pinkney (Illustrator) "Can you climb?..." (more)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
An invitation to action-filled role playing, this clever concept book consists of a series of 13 small poems that ask youngsters to pretend they are animals. "Are you pink / As a bud? / Can you lie / In the mud? / Can you root? / Can you dig? / Can you snort / Like a pig? / What else can you do like a pig?" Each double-page spread features an animal or child imitating the actions of the other. Pinkney ( The Talking Eggs ; The Patchwork Quilt ) pictures a boy in mime makeup with black spots who looks as bemused as the spotted cows beside him. Three children purse their lips and wiggle finny fingers like golden aquarium fish. A laughing girl stands on a flowered path in translucent wings and striped stockings, pretending to be a bee. The rhymed verses are vivid and straightforward, and Pinkney's inventive watercolor and pencil drawings are as engaging as the characters and animals he portrays. Ages 4-8.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From School Library Journal
PreSchool-K-- Thirteen rhyming verses ask children if they can match the unique characteristics of various animals. The last question, "What else can you do like a (snake)?" further extends the imaginative play. Pinkney's preschoolers are clearly having great fun. His watercolors and colored pencils create the soft, imitative motions of children who display with ease how similar they are to the animals. Through body poses, facial expressions, and gaily colored clothing, the children playfully mimic the animal kingdom. Both animals and children are recognizably distinct, yet they warmly blend together. With minimal coaching, these delightful, simple rhymes will be easily learned, recited, and acted out. --Ellen Dibner, East School, Long Beach, NY
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
  
• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Puffin (March 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0140559930
• ISBN-13: 978-0140559934
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 8.2 x 0.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #518,382 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great intro to animals and the joy of pretend play, June 15, 2000

By	Rosanna Landis Weaver (Mt. Rainier, MD USA) - See all my reviews

My daughter and I both love this one. The rhymes suggest simple ways to pretend to be an animal and always leave room for the imagination with "what else can you do like a cat?" questions. The illustrations are charming in their portrayal of children engaged in pretend play. They are also multicultural in a natural, low-key way. I think this would be great to read to a group of children in a pre-school classroom.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful Artwork, Nice Book - a review of "Pretend You're A Cat", March 31, 2006

By	Pam Tee "Harmless" - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

This review is from: Pretend You're a Cat (Paperback)

You can read the entire book at one sitting, or just one or two poems to get those toddler and preschooler creative juices flowing.

This is a lovely book that is a lot of fun for small fry. The poems are very short and are good rhyming practice. Just pause and pretty soon your child will be filling in the blanks.

The book also gets children thinking. What else does a cat, cow, horse... do? Can I do it too? Animals featured are: cat, dog, fish, bee, chick, bird, squirrel, pig, cow, horse, seal, snake, and bear.

Four Stars. [B+]. The artwork by Jerry Pinkney is delicious and ties in wonderfully with the poems. Good read-aloud.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful Artwork, Nice Book - a review of "Pretend You're A Cat", March 22, 2006

By	Pam Tee "Harmless" - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

This review is from: Pretend You're a Cat (Puffin Pied Piper) (School & Library Binding)

You can read the entire book at one sitting, or just one or two sections to get those toddler and preschooler creative juices flowing.

This is a lovely book that is a lot of fun for small fry. The poems are very short and are good rhyming practice. Just pause and pretty soon your child will be filling in the blanks.

The book also gets children thinking. What else does a cat, cow, horse... do? Can I do it too? Animals featured are: cat, dog, fish, bee, chick, bird, squirrel, pig, cow, horse, seal, snake, and bear.

Four Stars. [B+]. The artwork by Jerry Pinkney is delicious and ties in wonderfully with the poems. Good read-aloud.