Uncle Andy's Cats [Hardcover]

James Warhola (Author, Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 5 and up | Grade Level: K and up

It all started with a little blue cat named Hester. Then along came Sam, and it was love at first sight? and lots of little Sams! While the cats are perfectly happy stampeding through Uncle Andy?s art studio and frolicking among his soup boxes, the humans know things have to change. So Uncle Andy devises a brilliant plan to make his cats famous?and easier to find homes for.

James Warhola?s childhood memories of trips to New York City to visit his uncle, Andy Warhol, inspired this warm, funny story of the famous artist?s house full of cats. Kids will pore over the illustrations trying to spot all the Sams, as well as some very clever mice.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 2—In Uncle Andy's (Putnam, 2003), Warhola mentions that his famous uncle lived with his mother and owned 25 cats named Sam. That throwaway detail has been developed into its own book. Cats tells the story of how Andy Warhol and Bubba start with a single feline named Hester, acquire a companion for her named Sam, and end up with 25 kittens that look like their dad. Overrun by cats in a house already filled top to bottom with Warhol's art, the artist and his mother create two books about the Sams, which lead to happy relocations for the kittens. Warhola has masterfully combined a childlike delight at the almost alien world that his celebrated relative lives in, while impressing on the audience the idea that even famous artists have to deal with worldly matters. The natural playfulness of the 25 Sams adds zest to an already eclectic household and provides Warhola ample opportunity for cheerfully chaotic illustrations of cats and Pop Art trying to coexist. Pictures such as a stampede of Sams running between Warhol's legs or the exhausted artist asleep in bed with only his trademark white hair visible among a sea of kitties are delightful. Young readers will be glad for this opportunity to revisit the tall, skinny house in New York.—Kara Schaff Dean, Walpole Public Library, MA
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Review

"...masterfully combined childlike delight...[and] the idea that even famous artists have to deal with wordly matters." --School Library Journal

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Putnam Juvenile (July 9, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0399251804
• ISBN-13: 978-0399251801
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.6 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #318,948 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Cats and Art, A Purrrr-fect Pair!, September 12, 2009

By 

Marion "[e-mail]" (Louisiana) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Uncle Andy's Cats (Hardcover)

This wonderful book is written by the nephew of Andy Warhol, a little tidbit of trivia that fascinated me. I'm a cat person and I couldn't resist this story when I came across it surfing around for a book for my grandchildren---about cats. Their parents are allergic to cats, so I just had to find a feline book for them to vicariously experience the joy of cats without actually owning one. And this book fits the bill just purrr-fectly!!

I thoroughly enjoyed this funny, unique story of the blue cat Hester and her love interest, Sam and their many, many kittens---all named Sam!! In a previous book, Uncle Andy's (Picture Puffin Books), Mr. Warhola mentions briefly that his famous Uncle Andy lived with his mother and owned 25 cats named Sam. From that one sentence was born this fascinating, funny, beautifully and skillfully illustrated book about Uncle Andy and his many cats. What child could resist so many cute, imaginary, artsy cats? Not me! LOL! The stampede of cats running between Uncle Andy's legs is a hoot and Uncle Andy asleep with a 'cat pile' on top of him is worth the price of the book all by itself. I highly recommend this book for children ages 2 - 99 and for all cat lovers!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars If you want a rollicking, frolicking cat story about twenty-five cats named "Sam," this one can't be beat!, December 9, 2009

By 

D. Fowler "Dragonfly77" (Vermont) - See all my reviews
(TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Uncle Andy's Cats (Hardcover)

Gloria was a movie star and she had a "little blue pussycat named Hester." Well, that little cat had a litter of kittens and Andy thought he might like one. It was a pretty little gray blue thing and it fit in just nicely in his "tall and skinny" house. His new kitten, Hester, just loved running up and down stairs and hiding in all its nooks and crannies. She was a busy little gal, but she did like to sit on the back of Grandma Bubba's chair to stare at her mynah bird named Echo. When Andy's nieces and nephews came to visit they looked in boxes, behind statues and in bookcases for her. No Hester. When she got a bit bigger perhaps she'd be easier to spot.

Uncle Andy and his mother decided Hester needed a little company and decided to add Sam to the family. It was a good decision because "it was love at first sight." Round and round they went chasing each other around the house. They played together, cuddled up on a cushion together and kept Uncle Andy company when he painted things like Campbell's soup cans. Before you know it when the kids came to visit there were all kinds of kittens. To make it easy they were all called "Sam." It wasn't long before "Hester and Sam were a mommy and daddy again." Too many cats! They loved the house and Uncle Andy and Bubba loved them, but what would they do with so many Sams?

If you want a rollicking, frolicking cat story about twenty-five cats named "Sam," this one can't be beat! It was a charming little story that I thoroughly enjoyed, especially the little twist at the end. This story is based on the author's fond childhood memories of his famous uncle, Any Warhol. The story made the whole tall and skinny house come alive with pleasant memories. The artwork was vibrant and cheerful, qualities that add a lot to the story. If you'd love to have twenty-five cats, but don't have the room for them, you can nicely visit with them in this marvelous book!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars If your children like cats..., September 13, 2009

By 

Deborah Verlen "Deborah" (Chicago, IL USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Uncle Andy's Cats (Hardcover)

This is an adorable book about Hester and then Sam and then little Sams that frolic in Andy Warhol's home. The book is written by Warhol's nephew and is scattered with pictures of the artist's artwork.

The book is interesting for adults as it gives some background on Warhol and it is fun for kids because there are cats and more cats to count! Lots of colors to name and lots of objects to find. This has already become a family favorite!

Uncle Andy's Cats treats on several levels and is a charming book for adults and children!