Puss in Boots: The Adventures of That Most Enterprising Feline (Hardcover)

~ (Author), Ian Beck (Illustrator) "Once upon a time, there was an old miller who died and left all his property to his three sons..." (more)
Key Phrases: Marquis of Carabas, Monsieur Ogre, Monsieur Puss (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Oh, what's a poor miller's son to do? Bequeathed nothing but a cat when his father dies, Jacques is baffled. "'The cat?' said Jacques. 'Father's left me the cat?' He was a fine cat, but not much use when it came to earning a living." Of course, this is before Jacques realizes that what he has is a "most enterprising" cat that will bring him fame, fortune, and a princess.

Philip Pullman, Carnegie Medal-winning author of many remarkable children's books, including I Was a Rat!, Count Karlstein, and the His Dark Materials trilogy, turns his pen to a fairy tale retelling with great comic success. Puss has a dry, sneaky wit, which balances nicely with Jacques's trusting nature and the Ogre's mean-spirited, spoiled-kid manner. Ian Beck's big, funny, crosshatch ink and watercolor illustrations tell their own story, with wry asides from the characters in cartoon bubbles over their heads. This is a laugh-out-loud classic that loses absolutely nothing--perhaps even gains a little--in the retelling. (Ages 5 to 9) --Emilie Coulter

From Publishers Weekly

ullman sets a pleasingly flip tone from the start as he retells the tale with gusto. After the miller's death, his property is divided among his three sons; "As for the youngest son, Jacques, all he got was `The cat?' said Jacques. `Father's left me the cat?' " How Puss takes charge ("I've got the wit, if you'll supply the courage," he tells his new master) and helps secure Jacques's future by passing him off as the Marquis of Carabas, makes for a rollicking read. The two encounter a cast of colorful characters, including their landlord, Monsieur Ogre; solve a trio of mysteries; and save the King of France's daughter from the ogre's clutches (she, of course, marries Jacques). Pullman packs his irreverent prose with sly asides ("O mighty and fragrant Ogre," gushes Puss) and lively asides ("In his foul and filthy castle, the ogre was getting peckish"). Beck's crosshatch pen-and-watercolor illustrations, primarily framed as panel vignettes with speech and thought bubbles, keep things percolating visually. He gussies up Puss in an outfit that would do D'Artagnan proud and adds numerous droll touches, including a quartet of hilarious portraits of the Ogre's prospective brides. A fun frolic. Ages 5-8.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers; 1st edition (August 14, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0375813543
• ISBN-13: 978-0375813542
• Product Dimensions: 11.9 x 10.1 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #229,126 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Old Fairy Tale, Made Better....., August 25, 2001

By	Roz Levine (Virginia) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

You know the old story. The old Miller dies leaving his oldest son, the mill, his middle son, the donkey and his youngest son, the cat. His youngest son, Jacques, isn't too happy with his bequest. He likes the cat. It's a very nice cat. But what will a cat do for him when it comes to the future. And that's when Puss surprises the young man and begins to talk. He has big plans. He's smart and crafty and as he tells his new owner: "I've got the wit, if you'll supply the courage." With that, the two are off to find fame and fortune and maybe a princess..... Phillip Pullman has taken this well known fairy tale and given it new life. He's added a few new entertaining characters, an ogre, a hermit and two ghouls and enhanced the story by broadening the plot line and making it more imaginative and interesting. His witty and irreverent text is beautifully complemented by Ian Beck's bold and colorful charming illustrations, full of busy action and special details, including cartoon-like thought bubbles with amusing asides that will keep older kids laughing out loud. Perfect for youngsters 5-9, this version of Puss In Boots has a much better ending that ties up all the loose ends and takes readers on a hilarious adventure that shouldn't be missed.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A surprise delight!, August 16, 2001

By	cnyadan (Bavaria, Germany) - See all my reviews

I loved this book. Yes, it is a retelling of the "Puss in Boots" story, and yes, there are probably 50 "Puss in Boots" books out there, but this one has an original spark to it.

In all of his books of his that I've read, Philip Pullman imbues a smart type of wit that is still acceptable for children, but makes his books all the more interesting for more advanced readers. For example, in this book, there is a scene depicting the princess and Jacques falling in love. To illustrate the problem of it, both of them are standing on opposite edges of the page, looking away from each other, wondering (with cartoon bubbles) when "the question" is going to pop up. (I don't want to say specifically what they said, because it wouldn't sound the same here.) I burst out laughing at this scene, first because it is so comic, but also because it strikes a chord in real life as well.

All the characters are funny, in their own type of way, without being overdone. Puss is confident, Jacques shy, the princess lovestruck, the ogre evil (and unedjucated!). These characters really make the story happen, probably as they were supposed to in the first place!

Even if you don't like fairy-tales, give this book a chance!