Sneakers, the Seaside Cat [Paperback]

Margaret Wise Brown (Author), Anne Mortimer (Illustrator)

Book Description

Release date: April 26, 2005 | Age Range: 4 - 8 years

Sneakers saw something.

It was yellow and pink on the outside....

Then he crept up to it and peeked in.

On Sneakers′ first trip to the seaside, his curious paws find surprises in the sand. There′s a mischievous crab, playful shrimp, and a shell that echoes the roar of the ocean.

o A treat for fans of Margaret Wise Brown and cat lovers.

Ages 4+

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 1-The flap states that this book is "Adapted from stories in the 1955 publication of SNEAKERS: Seven Stories About a Cat." However, while this picture book covers the same ground, editorial changes have been made, and the text does not contain the thoughtful descriptions or strong rhythm of Brown's original, and some of the omissions diminish the cat's perspective. Sneakers's human family takes him to the ocean where he has a cold, wet experience with the sea and makes an unsuccessful attempt to catch a fish. "So Sneakers decided to go out in a field and look for mice instead. The field was full of butterflies, so Sneakers chased one." The day continues as he walks away from a looming seagull, chases shrimp, and watches the fog roll in. Mortimer's exquisite paintings are a lovely complement to the text, with golden spreads of the black-and-white cat, the creatures he encounters, and the sea. An additional purchase.
Laura Scott, Farmington Community Library, MI
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

About the Author

Few writers have been as attuned to the concerns and emotions of childhood as Margaret Wise Brown (1910-1952). A graduate of Hollins College and the progressive Bank Street College of Education, she combined her literary aspirations with the study of child development. Her unique ability to see the world through a child's eyes is unequaled. Her many classic books continue to delight thousands of young listeners and readers year after year.

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Muy pocos escritores de literatura infantil han logrado captar las emociones e inquietudes de la niñez como Margaret Wise Brown (1910-1952). Sus numerosos y ya clásicos libros y grabaciones continúan deleitando a lectores y oyentes de todas las edades.

Anne Mortimer is the author and illustrator of Bunny's Easter Egg and Pumpkin Cat. She has illustrated many other children's books, including Santa's Snow Cat by Sue Stainton, A Pussycat's Christmas by Margaret Wise Brown, and The Owl and the Pussycat by Edward Lear. She lives in southwest England.

Product Details

• Age Range: 4 - 8 years
  
• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins; Reprint edition (April 26, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0064436225
• ISBN-13: 978-0064436229
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 0.2 x 8.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #21,979 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #8 in Books > Children's Books > Science, Nature & How It Works > Nature > Water
  • #47 in Books > Children's Books > Animals > Marine Life

More About the Author

Margaret Wise Brown wrote hundreds of books and stories during her life, but she is best known for Goodnight Moon and Runaway Bunny. Even though she died over 45 years ago, her books still sell very well. Margaret loved animals. Most of her books have animals as characters in the story. She liked to write books that had a rhythm to them. Sometimes she would put a hard word into the story or poem. She thought this made children think harder when they are reading. She wrote all the time. There are many scraps of paper where she quickly wrote down a story idea or a poem. She said she dreamed stories and then had to write them down in the morning before she forgot them. She tried to write the way children wanted to hear a story, which often isn't the same way an adult would tell a story. She also taught illustrators to draw the way a child saw things. One time she gave two puppies to someone who was going to draw a book with that kind of dog. The illustrator painted many pictures one day and then fell asleep. When he woke up, the papers he painted on were bare. The puppies had licked all the paint off the paper. Margaret died after surgery for a bursting appendix while in France. She had many friends who still miss her. They say she was a creative genius who made a room come to life with her excitement. Margaret saw herself as something else - a writer of songs and nonsense.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Brown & Mortimer-- winning combination August 22, 2003

By beanbug

Format:Library Binding

Margaret Wise Brown, best known for her classic "Goodnight Moon" book, was a prolific author. Her books have been reprinted often of late, usually with a new illustrator more suited to modern tastes and the better printing techniques. In this case cat artist extraordinaire, Anne Mortimer, has been selected and the results are simply stunning.

The story itself is fairly simple: Sneakers, a plump and handsome black and white cat, accompanies his human family to the seaside for the first time. He explores the seashore flora and fauna; the repeating line is "My, I am glad I saw that." Brown's writing never condescended to children, who may enjoy the childlike adventures of Sneakers (although adult cat owners may not like the fact that Sneakers is allowed to roam about by himself; the current trend seems toward all indoor cats.)

As for the illustrations, they are just stunning. I do like Ms. Mortimer's work as a rule but this time she has outdone herself. The posture and expressions she has captured are among the best I have seen: incredibly naturalistic. On the basis of illustration alone I would recommend this book, but it would work very well for a pre-school beach/seashore/summer book.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Amazing illustrations February 12, 2004

By Jessica Ferguson VINE™ VOICE

Format:Library Binding

While it is nice to have another book by the classic author, Margaret Wise Brown, Sneakers, the Seaside Cat is best bought for its illustrations. Anne Mortimer's skill in depicting cats, beach and ocean life and beach scenes is without comparison in any recent children's picture books. In fact, her illustrations alone, without text, would have made this a five-star picture book for youngsters and a GREAT board book. Her illustrations have been paired with Brown's story which is not to exciting but is easy to read and has a good range of words for beginning readers.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A great gift for any child..... December 7, 2006

By Patrick D. Goonan

Format:Paperback

I was shopping extensively for an outstanding children's book one Christmas and was lucky enough to stumble upon this gem. As other reviewers have pointed out the illustrations are stunning and the book as a whole teaches an appreciation for nature and the wonders that can be found near the sea.

The story is good, but the illustrations bring the characters and scenery to life. The cat, Sneakers, is particularly charming and a big hit with children. Over a year after I gave this as a present, it is still this particular child's favorite book and as an adult I appreciated it.

There is some special intangible that comes alive through the combination of the author's narrative and illustrators ability. This is a book that you can't go wrong with and that you can appreciate as an adult.

Your child will also learn a lot about the sea and beach and be able to identify with the curiosity of the main character. This is a nice launching point for the imagination and good two-way conversations.