Customer Reviews

Puss in Boots (Sunburst Book)

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I regularly visit school classrooms and read aloud to children from Kindergarten through eighth grade. Finding books that appeal to more than one grade level is a challenge.

I have found that the pictures in this version of 'Puss' appeal immensely to kindergartners through third graders. (Fourth and Fifth grade children also like it, but are often embarassed to say so in a classroom setting!). Children who often have a hard time sitting still for a story have sat transfixed as I read this book, holding the pictures in front of them all the time and giving them lots of opportunities to check out the wonderful use of light and color. The illustrator uses a lot of wonderful yellow that is very appealing to young children and seems to draw them into the book. I love reading this book out loud both to see children's reaction and also because I love the detail and color in the pictures.

Reading this book aloud has also sparked some beautiful art work from young children.

It shouldn't surprise anyone that the stock of "Puss In Boots" went up when "Shrek 2" came out in theaters. Suddenly that little cat with the fancy footwear was garnering a lot more interest than he ever had before. I've always wondered why this fairy tale was ignored by the Disney animation studios in their heyday. Now if you're looking for the quintessential version of the tale, there are really only two illustrators to pick between. You can either choose the multi-talented Fred Marcellino version (responsible for some of my favorite picture books like, "I, Crocodile" and "The Story of Little Babaji") or you can go the Paul Galdone route. I personally have always found Galdone to be a bit of a bore, except in the cat department. For some reason, Galdone was always particularly good at drawing amusing felines. I'm not entirely certain why Amazon.com has decided to link these two titles with one set of reviews, but just to clear everything up I'd like to state that for all its charms I'm eschewing the Paul Galdone version of "Puss" and instead reviewing the Marcellino version in its stead. May God have mercy on my soul.

There once was a miller who had three sons. At the start of the story the miller has kicked the bucket and the sons have divided his paltry legacy amongst themselves. The youngest son is left with only a cat... but WHAT a cat it is! The puss tells the man to give him a good pair of boots and once he has done so the feline will make his master's fortune. The youngest son is fortunately a game sort (or perhaps he was merely charmed by the idea of a talking cat). Whatever the case, he gives Puss what he wants and the story chronicles the animal's clever ploys. He poaches wild game for the king. He dresses his master all in finery and makes him out to be a Marquis. In the last part of the book, Puss tricks an ogre who is half a sandwich shy of a picnic into becoming a yummy little mouse. After subsequent inevitable gobblings on the part of the cat, his master marries the king's daughter and "Puss became a great lord and gave up chasing mice, except just once in a while for the fun of it".

The book is a direct translation of Charles Perrault's original tale from the French by translator Malcolm Arthur. Mr. Arthur is to be commended for it too, by the way. Not only is the book infinitely readable, but its harsher moments are lessened through his wording. In some versions of this tale, the youngest son's contemplations of eating his pretty puss might've come off as barbaric. Here, they seem more wistful than malicious. Likewise the parts where the cat threatens the peasants with agreeing to a lie with the threat that if they don't "you'll be cut up into sausage meat" strains credulity (or do they trust a cat in boots more than one not in boots?). Still, there's something about the pacing of the tale that works in its favor. This may also certainly be due to Fred Marcellino's illustrations, which are truly lovely. The cat, for his part, is both charming and catlike. The pictures appear to have been drawn in colored pencil or possibly pastels. Whatever the case, they've a soft and hazy feel that compliment the tale to a tee.

So if you're on the look-out of the definitive version of "Puss In Boots", there is no need to look further. If the praise I've lavished on it does no good, consider the 1991 Caldecott Honor it garnered itself once upon a time. A classic tale that constantly shocks me when I consider how few children actually know it. Fun stuff.

Puss in Boots is a wonderful story. This book is so beautiful that is like a precious work of art. A great read aloud with exceptional illustrations. Children and adults adore it. Presenting this tale to children takes great thought though. Try to avoid the dishonesty, terrorism, and thievery and focus on resourcefulness, first impressions, and survival. Fred Marcellino is one of the top illustrators of our time. Wish he had a website!

The artwork and the large font are beautiful. And I like the translation. It's rich enough to introduce some new vocabulary, without being so thick it can't be understood.

This new translation of the "fairy" story first presented by Charles Perrault (1628-1703) in his Tales of Mother Goose in 1697 was illustrated by Fred Marcellino and translated by Malcolm Arthur. It was a 1991 Caldecott Honor book (that is, a runner-up to the Medal winner) for best illustrations in a book for children. The youngest son of a recently deceased miller receives a cat as his inheritance. He feels that he will soon die of starvation (after he has eaten the cat) since he has no other possessions. But, the cat convinces him to get him boots. The cat proceeds to find a fortune and a position for his young master.

I am going to start this review by pointing out that most, if not all, of the reviews on this page are NOT for the "Paul Galdone" version of "Puss In Boots. In fact, these same reviews appear on the pages for the "Fred Marcellino" illustrated version.

Next I am going to say that I did not purchase this particular edition. I did not get the cassette and have not heard the narration.

I am reviewing this though because my children (3 and 5) are really into cassette readings at this moment and so I would sincerely suggest that you try this version of "Puss in Boots" if you haven't tried cassettes previously.

As for this book, we really enjoyed it. I had completely forgotten much of how the tale unfolded until we ran across this on my entering Kindergartner's Summer Reading List.

What you will find in this story is the classic tale of how a cat helps a bumpkin to become a prince. You will also find that Mr. Galdone pulls no punches in his retelling. When he does a translation, he cuts nothing out.

Thus, in "Puss in Boots", you will find that Puss eats the Giant --after he becomes a mouse, of course. And that Puss lies and carries on in a non-PC manner. He kills wild game and threatens haymakers with violence.

He says: "When the King drives past and asks to whom this field belongs, you must reply, `To the Marquis of Carabas.' If you don't, I shall chop you fine as mincemeat."

Despite the fact that violence is one of the things banned from our house, I have found that my children (3 and 5) don't seem to take much notice of the threat, nor do they seem disturbed by giant's consumption.

Four stars. Classic art style. Classic story. Minus one for violence and lying.

I remember hearing this story as young as six. My grandmother's cat disagrees with the story in that cats do not like to wear clothes. I however now have my very own copy of the story on the bookshelf. It's beautifully told and I read it ever so often. The illustrations are wonderful. It's definitely a good choice for younger children at reading time and/or bedtime. It's short, the pictures help explain a lot of what's going on, and the book is large. That last part may sound strange, but have you ever tried 'Reading Circle' with a small book... With 20 children on the floor all wanting to see the pictures and my need to keep their attention... The book is definitely a keeper. Even if not for them, for my own childhood memories of the story.

"Puss in Boots" has endured as a classic children's book because the story is excellent. The graphics are intricate, crisp, and clear. I read "Puss in Boots" at a Read Across America event to 50 second-graders. Most, if not all, of them had never heard of "Puss in Boots". There was shock and outcry when the Ogre shrank himself to the size of a mouse and then was eaten by Puss. They wanted to know why!!! The Ogre was a victim of his own ego - a show off. And Puss was ruthless. The childrens' imaginations and reasoning were stretched and the story gave them a lot to think about. I highly recommend "Puss in Boots".

*** The strength of this book are the exquitely beautiful illustrations. Fred Marcellino, illustrator, is an artist extratorinare, for children's books. Another of his beloved children's books is "The Steadfast Tin Soldier," which has a wonderful story! I highly recommend "The Steadfast Tin Soldier," illustrated by Marcellino, with 5 stars!!!

My daughter liked this book. I imagine any child who likes cats would. However, the animal factor isn't the only thing that makes this book pleasing to children; the book is well written and told with such energy that it makes this classic tale all the more enthralling and grabbing to young readers. Of course, the well drawn illustrations help too.

The story is about a savy cat that is determined to bring good fortunes to his poor master. Along the way the cat must deal with a giant Ogre, as well as out wit a king on several occasions. The Ogre has the ability to morph into different creatures, which adds an additional fairy tale element to this adventure of a witty talking cat. The poor master originally thought he was out of luck when he got the cat, but that conclusion never held merit as the master became richly rewarded in the end all due to his loyal feline friend.

I hope you give the book a try, I think your young ones will like it.

Darien Summers, author of The Mischievous Hare, a children's book.