When Cats Go Wrong [Hardcover]

Norm Hacking (Author), Cynthia Nugent (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 5 and up

A young boy finds a stray cat and begs his mother to let him keep it. Reluctantly she agrees, but warns that if the cat causes any trouble, out it'll go. Despite the boy's assurances, the cat is nothing but trouble: paws in the goldfish bowl, claws on the couch, tooth marks in the butter. Will the boy be able to clean up the mess before his mother gets home? When Cats Go Wrong is a spirited look at life with a mischievous kitty. Cynthia Nugent's vibrant illustrations enhance the whimsical story's energy and movement. Included is a CD of the single "When Cats Go Wrong," performed by the author, folk singer Norm Hacking, to a tango melody, as well as an info page on the history of the tango.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 4–In this picture-book version of Hacking's tango-inspired folk ditty, a young boy tells the sad tale of a kitty that just can't help being naughty. Readers will recognize many of the symptoms of a house under feline control: "The couch is ripped and torn apart,/The stuffing is pulled out./The litter box is empty/With the gravel strewn about." Be ready for a collective shudder from cat proponents and opponents alike with the line, "There's cat hair on the tablecloth/And tongue marks on the butter." The rhyming story is laugh-aloud funny on its own, but especially so when paired with the somber and serious tone of Hacking's musical rendition, which is included on the CD. An information page explains the history and development of the tango as well as the song's mixing of serious art and humor for a "High Burlesque" effect. Nugent carries the concept even further by illustrating the book in Paris poster-art style, with a vibrant array of yellows, orange-reds, and yellow-greens that completely fill every page. The long-suffering narrator and his mischievous black cat are gracefully rendered in flowing brush strokes. An original and exhilarating blend of artwork, lyrics, and music, this well-conceived book is equally engaging as a storytime selection or as a read-alone experience.–Carol L. MacKay, Forestburg School Library, Alberta, Canada
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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Raincoast Books (March 10, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1551927292
• ISBN-13: 978-1551927299
• Product Dimensions: 10.5 x 9.7 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,129,490 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars When Cats Go Wrong, March 24, 2007

By 

me carolyn "ReadForEnjoyment" (Peculiar, MO) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: When Cats Go Wrong (Hardcover)

The grandkids love this CD and book! They think it's very funny, and it's easy for them to follow along with the CD!!

5.0 out of 5 stars For Bad Cat Lovers, April 18, 2011

By 

VT Hiker - See all my reviews

This review is from: When Cats Go Wrong (Paperback)

I absolutely love this book and CD. The song is so serious for such a silly topic. Anyone who has lived with an uncontrollably bad cat would love this product.

5.0 out of 5 stars Fun and Educational Story for Kids, July 2, 2008

By 

AlbieG BookSellers (Wellesley Hills, MA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: When Cats Go Wrong (Paperback)

This is a cute, funny story to share with your kids, or any other little ones in your life. Most people (especially cat owners) will get a kick out of the antics of this cat, and the anxiety those antics produce in his owner, a little boy who's trying to keep those antics hidden. Comes with musical CD, so you can "sing" along with the words to the book. Gives kids, especially the young ones, both the reading and the musical stimulation so valuable in young life. And fun for adults, too.