Mrs. Katz and Tush (Reading Rainbow Book) (Paperback)

~ (Author) "Larnel didn't know Mrs. Katz very well, but almost every other day his mother stopped in to see her after works..." (more)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Zesty art and sensitive storytelling light up these two books, the first about an elderly Jewish widow and her young African American neighbor, the second set in Amish country. Ages 4-8.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 3-- A warm, lovingly told story about an intergenerational relationship. It is the beginning of a long friendship between Mrs. Katz, widowed, childless, and lonely, and her young African-American neighbor, Larnel, when he presents her with a scraggly kitten. On his daily visit to the elderly woman and her pet, they talk about Mrs. Katz's husband, her arrival in the United States from Poland, and the similar experiences of Jews and African-Americans. Larnel accompanies her to say kaddish at her husband's grave, and attends her Passover seder. When Tush has kittens, Mrs. Katz feels fulfilled, a bubee (grandmother) at last. The final illustration shows an adult Larnel with Mrs. Katz holding his baby, and the story ends with him and his family visiting the woman's grave. Mrs. Katz's dialogue reflects her Yiddish background without being obtrusive. The charcoal and watercolor illustrations are in Polacco's usual style, with large areas of white space emphasizing the characters rather than their surroundings. The character portrayals are vivid and lively, with a hint of humor. Polacco pays careful attention to detail, even to the age blemishes on Mrs. Katz's hands. A fine book for group or individual sharing. --Susan Giffard, Englewood Public Library, NJ
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
  
• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Dragonfly Books (March 1, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0440409365
• ISBN-13: 978-0440409366
• Product Dimensions: 10.6 x 8.3 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #27,854 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #10 in	Books > Children's Books > Authors & Illustrators, A-Z > ( P ) > Polacco, Patricia
  #23 in	Books > Children's Books > People & Places > Multicultural Stories > African-American
  #55 in	Books > Children's Books > Animals > Pets > Fiction

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

40 of 40 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book brings tears to my eyes, August 25, 1998

By A Customer

I bought this book for my daughter who was 4 at the time, at a book fair. I really didn't know what it was about. It became her favorite book and now 3 years later still is. Since then we have read most of Patricia Polacco's books and we love them all but "Mrs. Katz and Tush" and "Thundercakes" are our favorites. I say our favorites because I like them as much as she does. Mrs. Katz and Tush is a gentle heartwarming story of diversity, giving and unconditional love. An old white Jewish widow and a young black Christian boy are about as different as you can get, yet they show us that none of that matters when compassion and love are involved. I cry everytime I read this book it touches me so. In this time of so much hate in our country this book gives the subtle message to children that we can all live together as one family.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Such a Person!, September 16, 2000

By	J. J. Falcone "Dové i libri?" (S.W. Florida) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

That is Mrs. Katz' highest praise for the little kitten that a young African American neighbor has brought her to keep her company after her husband dies. And so begins a lifetime of love, loyalty and devotion between two families that are as different as can be, and yet, surprisingly alike. Growing up in a culturally diverse neighborhood like the one that Mrs. Katz and Larnel shared, it was a joy to see Patricia Polacco's warm illustrations, and to hear the familiar rhythms and cadences of the dialogue.

It is indeed a magical book, with a story that transcends cultural differences and generational conflict. Each character is defined by their relationship to the other, and at the end we see the beautiful changes that can grow from love and affection.

I hope that you can enjoy reading this book with children you love, it is a most rewarding and pleasurable experience.

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect Polacco, April 1, 2002

By	Reader "kpcetal" (Dublin, Ireland) - See all my reviews

As with many of Patricia Polacco's books, Mrs. Katz & Tush starts with a friendship, adds a simple story line, seasons it with an understanding look at a particular culture or two, adds a dash of humour, and ties it all together with illustrations that enrich the story (other examples, among many: Babushka Baba Yaga, Just Plain Fancy and Chicken Sunday).

In this story the lives of two very different neighbors are drawn together through a small, tail-less kitten named Tush (the name itself brings giggles to the 4 year old set). Larnel, dragged along by his mother to visit an elderly widowed neighbor (and the picture of him in his chair shows you all that you need to know about how he feels about being there!) surprises himself by feeling compassion for lonely Mrs. Katz. He brings her the runt of a litter of kittens, saying that nobody else wants it. Mrs. Katz reluctantly accepts the kitten, on the condition that Larnel will help her learn how to care for it. He agrees, and a life-long friendship is begun.

There are so many great parts to this book- the growing understanding about the things that we have in common, no matter how disparate our backgrounds, messages on ethnicity, on generational relationships, and so on- that you could get the idea that this is a 'good-for-you' book. But at it's heart Mrs. Katz & Tush is the work of a master storyteller and illustrator, and is a story that the children ask for again & again & again. Ours are still savouring it after 3 years, and show no signs of growing weary of it. The illustrations- especially some of the expressions- are some of Polacco's best efforts. Don't miss this one!