Owl sets out to woo Pussycat in a boat laden with fruit and with a guitar at his side, ready for serenading. Pussycat sits looking elegant and demure, waiting to be courted. But as they sail off across the sea, another love story unfolds in the clear water beneath the boat. "Brett sets Lear's beloved poem of courtly nonsense in a lush, brilliantly lit Caribbean landscape."--Booklist, starred review. Full color.
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Book Description
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Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com Review
Edward Lear's nonsense poem about two unlikely sweethearts--an elegant owl and a beautiful cat--has found a perfect match in artist Jan Brett. She traveled to the Caribbean (the land where the Bong-tree grows, perhaps?) to research her illustrations as well as the settings, costume details, plants, and fish native to the area. Readers can follow an illustrated subplot of two yellow fish who also fall in love under the pea-green boat. A charming treatment of a classic children's poem. (Ages 3 to 7)
--This text refers to the
Hardcover
edition.
From Publishers Weekly
Following her recent paeans to winter ( The Mitten ; The Wild Christmas Reindeer ), Brett irradiates her interpretation of the classic Lear nonsense verse with hues of tropical intensity. As the Owl and the Pussycat, both attired in madras plaids, set out from a Caribbean locale on their romantic voyage, Brett launches a series of lush seascapes, the colors for which might well have been inspired by exotic jungle birds. The artist's celebrated borders are almost fully integrated into the illustrations--there are no vertical borders, and each spread is divided into horizontal zones. The thin uppermost layer evokes Caribbean basketry or similar elements that impart an architectural weight, as if the story were being viewed from a window; the bottom zone reveals the action below sea-level, where a golden fish, emulating the Owl, wordlessly seeks its true love. Brett's customary attention to detail results in an extravagantly gorgeous book. Ages 4-8.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
59 of 60 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
I had read this book as a child, then recently came across it again as an adult. Although the story itself is simple, the moral is timeless and holds the characteristics of a downplayed fairytale. As a horse lover, I feel that there are not enough books out there which center around the majestic beast. Fritz is akin to Charlie Brown's Christmas tree. A not so beautiful, diamond in the rough, heart of gold pony who will fill readers' hearts. This book has incidentally inspired me to try my hand at writing children's horse stories as well. I recommend it to anyone who wants to teach children the importance of all too rare goodness which needs to be duplicated time and again.
25 of 25 people found the following review helpful
By breyergal
Format:Paperback
This is a wonderful story about Fritz, a short, shaggy pony who lives his life in the shadow of the tall, sleek horses of the kingdom. His life changes, however, when this little "nobody" prances forward to rescue the children when the "beautiful" horses cannot.
An endearing story which teaches children that true beauty is found inside. As with all Jan Brett books, the charming illustrations will captivate even the smallest of children.
Add this one to your child's library ... it's sure to quickly become a favorite!
23 of 23 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
Fritz is not beautiful, but he is gentle and kind and hard working. He rescues the children when the beautiful horses would not. This story, like all of Jan Brett's books, is wonderfully illustrated and teaches a lesson while showing the joys animals bring to a child's life.
21 of 21 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
In Annie, as in The Mitten and others, Jan Brett tells a fun children's tale while gently showing how a children's actions affect the world around them. Just as the boy in The Mitten winds up scaring all of the animals that then crawl into the mitten, Annie's actions also have wide repercussions.
Annie has a cat. One day she notices the cat does not want to play, but tries to hide in odd places. Annie keeps finding the cat so the cat tries the outdoors. This makes Annie lonely as she wants to have a pet around the house.
She bakes corn muffins to leave outside in the snow to attract a new pet. But Annie gets more than she bargained for as first a giant moose and then a bobcat shows up. Annie makes more muffins and more animals show up.
But eventually the corn meal runs out at the same time as the warm Spring winds begin to blow. Without any muffins, the animals leave and the cat is free to come back. By following the illustrations in the borders, we know what the cat has been up to and what prevented its return.
The only downside of this book (at least in my daughter's eyes) is that there is no mention whatsoever of a parent. Are we to believe that Annie is living at the edge of the woods all by herself? But still, it is a beautiful book and a fun story. A must read for fans of Jan Brett's other books.
21 of 21 people found the following review helpful
By P. D.
Format:Hardcover
Spectacularly beautiful illustrations make this book a joy. The familiar poem has a gently rocking rhythm, and the pictures have a flow of their own. My 18-month-old daughter likes to find the flower, the yellow fish, the cat and the owl on each page. The quiet familiarity of the poem calms her down during the nighttime crazies (that spurt of energy toddlers get just before they collapse into a puddle). I recommend this book for a soothing, visually delightful experience.
19 of 20 people found the following review helpful
By Kirk Wattles
Format:Paperback
Our daughter has enjoyed this book since she was less than a year old. It has wonderful, expressive pictures of animals that come out of the woods to feast on the muffins that Annie puts out. Annie hopes to find an animal to replace her cat that went missing during a snow storm, but none of them is friendly and cuddly as her cat was.
Meanwhile, in the band of graphics around the margin of each page, we see the missing cat, and other animals that are yet to appear in the story. This is an amazing way to show things that may be happening even when we don't "see" them. It gives plenty for the person reading to point out and discuss, or the story may be breezed through when it's one of several that a child wants to hear.
Several story lines are wrapped together in this relatively short book -- the disappearance of Annie's cat and her search for a replacement, the strange behaviour of her cat and its final explanation, the succession of wild beasts that come out of the woods to eat corn muffins (!), and through it all, winter's slow thaw and the eventual arrival of spring. None of it is overplayed; it all just fits together naturally.
14 of 14 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Not only a wonderful, heartwarming story for any age of horse and childhood lover, but the illustrations stand completely on their own. We have two others books by the same illustrator / author and are actively seeking more. A must have for all children's and pen and ink art libraries!
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
By elanorh
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I grew up in the West and around wild animals (as well as domesticated ones). I hesitated to purchase this book because I was concerned that it would present wild animals as "cute" and safe, which is not a lesson that I want my children to learn. I want my children to respect and love nature and animals, but certainly don't want them to assume that any animal is going to be safe to be around, especially a wild animal. Add in the fact that feeding wild animals (other than birds) is not encouraged, and I was nervous. I don't want my children to have unrealistic and potentially dangerous ideas about how safe they are in nature/around wild animals.
However, the book shows that the wild animals are just that - wild. And Annie recognizes that and doesn't try to tame them. In the end, Annie's cat returns with kittens, something I remember our cats doing while we were growing up - a wonderful surprise.
This book is obviously a wonderful flight of fancy and I know my daughter really enjoys it. And I also know that if she sees an elk while we're camping, she's not going to try to pet it! Let alone, a mountain lion or bear or cow moose.
However, the book shows that the wild animals are just that - wild. And Annie recognizes that and doesn't try to tame them. In the end, Annie's cat returns with kittens, something I remember our cats doing while we were growing up - a wonderful surprise.
This book is obviously a wonderful flight of fancy and I know my daughter really enjoys it. And I also know that if she sees an elk while we're camping, she's not going to try to pet it! Let alone, a mountain lion or bear or cow moose.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Such a beautiful book
I remember going to the school library at recess to read this book. I think it's one of the most beautifully written and illustrated children's books ever written. Read more
Published 1 month ago by linsey merrill
5.0 out of 5 stars
The illustrations are exceptional.
A very beautifully made book with colorful illustrations and various scenes that accompany the poem, a gift for my grandson.
Published 1 month ago by Sharon Obuchon-Staub
5.0 out of 5 stars
Very pleased.
. Great--brings back many memories. I have an old copy from my childhood.
I plan to read it to my great-grandson.
I plan to read it to my great-grandson.
Published 1 month ago by P. Ryall
4.0 out of 5 stars
Happy to find an 'old friend'
Jan Brett illustrates beautifully one of my favorite poems by Edward Lear - for that matter, one of my favorite poems of all time.
Published 1 month ago by jeniferj
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Owl and the Pussycat
This is just what I wanted. I will use it to propose to my love! The illustrations are great, and I've memorized the verse.
Published 1 month ago by Job Reader
5.0 out of 5 stars
An excellent version
A beautifully presented version of this favourite of mine - my daughter loved it - especially the illustrations - the owl is perfect.
Published 1 month ago by linda chambers
5.0 out of 5 stars
My Favorite Children's Book
My Grandma gave me this book when I was a little girl and to this day, I love the message so very much! Read more
Published 2 months ago by C. Wren
5.0 out of 5 stars
Old story
I have. Bought. This particular rendition for all of my 10 grandchildren. And 2 great grandchildren because of Jan Brett gorgeous illustrations. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Mystery Medical
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fritz and the Beautiful Horses
This is a beautifully illustrated book! The story line is one that can be related to children that view themselves as being different from others. That child, too, is a hero!
Published 3 months ago by Tava
5.0 out of 5 stars
Very nice book
The book is beautiful. The pictures very colorful. This was a gift for my granddaughter who loves horses. She was very happy to receive it.
Published 4 months ago by Margaret White
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