Square Cat [Hardcover]

Elizabeth Schoonmaker (Author, Illustrator)

Book Description

Release date: January 4, 2011 | Age Range: 4 and up | Lexile Measure: 590L (What's this?)

Eula is the only square cat in town. Everything that normal cats do is hard for her -- she can't get her square paw into mouseholes, she can't wear her favorite circle skirt, and all of her friends are round! Eula is sad until her two best friends show her just how well a square cat can fit into this round world.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 1—Playing off the square peg in the round hole theme, this title gently packs a powerful message about self-acceptance and friendship. Eula, a square cat, laments the difficulties she faces in a world of round cats. When she tips over, it's difficult to get up. Living in a city surrounded by square buildings renders her invisible. Circle skirts or outfits with stripes are a "fashion don't" on a square cat, and trying to "make it work" is not an option. Her round feline friends, Patsy and Maude, try to help sad Eula get her "purr" back. After a makeover including round hoop earrings, a beehive hat, rouge painted on her cheeks, and a doughnut party, Eula falls again, and....you get the picture. Her friends put themselves into square boxes and show her the possibilities and upside of living the square-cat life. Ink and bright watercolor illustrations using basic shapes with simple and engaging facial expressions steal the show. Schoonmaker uses the shapes of these clever cats' mouths, eyes, and eyebrows to communicate their emotions. Eula changes from skeptical, to happy, to confident. The support of loving friends and her experience figuring out how to "make it work" for herself are the catalysts. Plentiful white space is used to help the colorful blue, orange, and yellow cats pop off the page. This delightful book with its spare and simple text is perfect for storytime or sharing one-on-one.—Anne Beier, Clifton Public Library, NJ
(c) Copyright 2011.  Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

From Booklist

Square-shaped feline Eula bemoans the disadvantages of her shape: when she tips over, she can�t get up; her circle skirt doesn�t fit properly; and wearing stripes is disastrous. Roundish friends Patsy and Maude do their best to encircle her with loops, presenting her with hoop earrings, rouge cheek circles, doughnuts, and a beehive hat. Failing to alter Eula�s shape (or attitude), the friends slip into boxes themselves in an attempt to uncover four-sided advantages Eula has missed. Schoonmaker�s debut picture book, rendered in pencil and bright watercolors, highlights appealing orange-kitten Eula presented against mostly white backgrounds. Young listeners and cat lovers alike will laugh at the absurdity of cats in neatly stacked boxes, not to mention Eula in square-dance attire. Kids may enjoy searching for the squares and circles within the art, but Patsy and Maude�s empathy with Eula in light of her difficulties is what makes the story memorable. Pair with Lydia Monks� The Cat Barked? (1999) for another look at the importance of self-acceptance. Preschool-Grade 2. --Kay Weisman

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Age Range: 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Aladdin (January 4, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1442406194
• ISBN-13: 978-1442406193
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 9.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #301,991 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Author/Illustrator Elizabeth Schoonmaker lives in Upstate New York where she enjoys painting, drawing, gardening, building elephants and keeping bees.

Elizabeth received her Masters of Arts degree from the University at Albany and has exhibited her work in Chicago and New York.

Elizabeth personally invites you to meet her very favorite, one and only, Square Cat at www.eulathesquarecat.com

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Whimsical feel good story January 6, 2011

By J. Prather TOP 500 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:Hardcover

Square Cat is a delightful story that uses some rather light-hearted whimsy and wry humor to tell a story with a powerful message: it's important to like yourself for who you are, even if you are square and all your friends are round. This cute little square cat faces some problems since she's square - mouse holes are just not doable, her favorite round skirt just doesn't fit right, and it's hard to get up when you fall over! Luckily she has some great friends who after trying to help her be more round, soon learn that maybe the square view has it's advantages too.

The illustrations are easy and simple, but its really the text that's the standout in this effort. This is a great lesson to learn that the author presents very effectively, while always remembering to entertain as well as educate. No heavy handedness in sight, just a fun little story that makes you feel good. Recommended.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Review from Books That Heal Kids January 12, 2011

By Books That Heal Kids

Format:Hardcover

I'm so happy I discovered Square Cat. As an elementary school counselor, I need books like this covering self-acceptance, strengths, and friendship on my bookshelf. Actually, it's my students who really need books like Square Cat. Students need books like these....ones that say.....you're beautiful and okay just the way you are! I enlightened kids about something a lot of us go through as we are growing up...sometimes we question who we are...just like Eula. She is trying to figure out how to fit her square self in what appears to be a round world. It's easy to forget our own beauty when we get focused on everyone else. But it's her friends who get her to see she already has her own gifts - not flaws. Being square is a gift and she actually fits in just fine! As one student said, "She shouldn't try to be like everyone else. I want her to be herself. I like her." Strong message in this very lovely book and perfectly illustrated. Another student said, "Ohhhh, Eula is so cute!" I'm hoping for a series.

5.0 out of 5 stars Love this cat book December 26, 2012

By Angie Hightower

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

I purchased this book for my kindergarten class to teach shapes and acceptance. Love it! Both of which meet our new CCGPS standards for K.