Zat Cat! A Haute Couture Tail (Hardcover)

~ Chesley Mclaren (Author, Illustrator) "Now he roams about town, down the Champs Elysees, and when the mood strikes him, he dines au cafe..." (more)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

This effervescent "tail" of a Parisian cat is fluffier than chocolate mousse and bubblier than a split of pink champagne. McLaren (You Forgot Your Skirt, Amelia Bloomer!) sets the tone with a droll prefatory rhyme: "To those who speak `La Langue des Fran‡ais' please don't dismay. My French est mauvais." Having apologized in advance, she introduces her title feline, a gray stray who "roams about town, down the Champs Elys‚es, and when the mood strikes him he dines au caf‚." One day, while trolling for a free lunch at a fine hotel, the four-legged gourmet happens upon a fashion show. After his claws snag a model's fuchsia train, he accidentally shreds Monsieur Pierre's entire collection; a gatefold enables a full-length view of the savaged runway. Fortunately if predictably, the chic audience adores the results: "So original, exotic, and free. These ingenious designs C'est le `Rage' de Paree!" Abundant footnotes translate such terms as the celebrity cat's new name, Etoile ("ay-TWAL Star"). McLaren, who also works in fashion, complements the funny, frivolous verse with flamboyant brushstrokes of black ink on a white background. Etoile charms tuxedoed men and women in stiletto heels, and every designer frock features extravagant accents. Admirers of Maira Kalman's Max books (or of Eloise's diction) will appreciate this livre's joie de vivre. Ages 3-8.
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Grades 2-5--High fashion, or haute couture if you will, is the subject of "zat cat's" misadventures. A scruffy Parisian stray enjoys all the famous spots from the Jardin Luxembourg to Le Mus‚e du Louvre. But at Le Grand Salon, he gets lost amid the satin and frills and lace of the runways and great havoc ensues. When the dust finally settles, the season's new creations have been shredded by the cat's claws. The show goes on anyway and the crowd goes wild for the latest trend: "Frayed coats, frayed dresses, frayed anything at all." The fashion magazines name Monsieur Etoile Le Chat de Mode and he goes on to live a life of "purrr-fection." The text is a sophisticated m‚lange of references to Paris and to fashion, and of lots of wordplay including bilingual puns. A liberal sprinkling of phrases ("Faux French" according to McLaren in an opening note) enlivens the text. Translations and phonetic pronunciations are provided on each page. Illustrations are a visual delight and the gouache paintings clearly reflect the illustrator's background in fashion design. The breezy, loose sketches float ungrounded on a white field. Lots of curlicue flourishes and a rounded typeface add to the fun. Colors are mostly limited to chic shades of pink to red and elegant gray to black. The book is charmingly reminiscent of Eloise in style and design and in its sophisticated adult appeal.
Dorian Chong, San Jose State University, CA
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
  
• Hardcover: 40 pages
• Publisher: Scholastic Press; 1st edition (March 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0439273161
• ISBN-13: 978-0439273169
• Product Dimensions: 12.1 x 8.9 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #980,136 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars C'est Magnifique....., June 18, 2002

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

"He was born a fine cat in the heart of Paree, the youngest of six in his petite family. But his mischievous ways led him astray. Now he roams about town, down the Champs Elysees, and when the mood strikes him, he dines au cafe..." Oh Zat Cat! He owns Paris, from the Louvre, to Jardin Luxembourg. And when he ventures into Le Grand Salon du Grand Couturier, Monsieur Pierre, an unexpected mishap creates havoc, and poor Monsieur's entire collection is completely ruined. "Before he can even meow or blink, he's whisked off his feet by a sash in pink! He flies through the air, clawing hats and hair. Ball gowns of satin are shredded to bits. Laces and ribbons totally ripped..." But the show must go on, and as the disheveled models in ripped dresses take to the runway..."Whispers of wonder turn to roars of delight, as our four-legged friend struts into the light. So original, exotic, and free. These ingenious designs C'est la "Rage" de Paree!" Chesley McLaren's lively, rhyming text is rich in clever wordplay, both French and English, energy, and puns, and includes phonetic help and translations tucked quietly at the bottom of each page. But it's Ms McLaren's marvelously vibrant, busy, and innovative artwork, swirling boldly around the pages, that really makes this picture book sparkle. Together word and art create an engaging feast for both the ears and eyes that begs to be read aloud and shared. Perfect for youngsters 4-8, Zat Cat! is a masterpiece of humor and wit, and one of the new, stand-out children's books of 2002 that shouldn't be missed.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Zat Wonderful Cat!, December 30, 2002

By	Emily Hunt "zk5" (Illinois) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book is a delight! It is an entertaining tale of a stray cat who owns the town of Paris. The cat gets into mischief when he jumps into a window of a building and tears dresses (for a fasion show) to pieces. However, the ripped pieces are a succes and the "Rage de Paris!" This book is wonderful! It combines French words into the story and is a neat tool for those who want a little culture in their children's books. I reccommend it to anyone!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars the cat's meow, March 7, 2002

By	Karen Odyniec (Manhattan) - See all my reviews

Open this book and you enter the most exclusive fashion party in Paris. The escapades of this curious and mischievous cat through a famous couture house in Paris is not just fun for kids, adults will love it as well. The playful, and sometimes trecherous journeys of Monsieur Etoile, the cutest cat alive, will take you from cafe to runway in the wink of an eye, encountering ladies who lunch, manicured poodles and concierges alike. The illustrations are whimsical, funny and witty and the story is colorful and alive. The words "eye candy" spring to mind. If you love cats, you will love this book. If you love fashion, you will love this book. And if you love to laugh, you will simply love Zat Cat! The colors. The charcters. The sense of humor of Chesley McLaren. You will be transported into the haute couture world she has so masterfully created. And you will not want to leave. My only complaint is that this hilarious, sophisticated tail must ever come to an end. I cannot recommend it enough.