From Publishers Weekly
A curious kitten gets the ball rolling in this rollicking cumulative tale of unusual efforts made to rescue the tiny feline from the top of the Christmas tree. Well-meaning animals take turns trying to get the kitten down, all with snarled results. The kitten finds her way back to the ground, but leaves her would-be rescuers stuck in the tree. A clever child carries out the detanglement in time for a holiday feast. Even if a tad too anthropomorphic at times, Kerins's vivacious acrylic paintings capture playful animals at their antic best. Ages 5-8.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Booklist
Ages 4-7. At the center of town is a gigantic Christmas tree, and a tiny kitten clings to the top branch. This is the situation that Mahy's cumulative poem describes as one animal after another climbs the tree to rescue kitty, only to get stuck themselves. Cat, dog, goat, pigs--they're all in there, hanging onto branches like ornaments. Young children will most likely get a kick out of seeing a tree decorated in such a fashion and will also respond to the innate humor in the situation--especially when the cat climbs down at story's end, leaving the others stranded. Kerins' acrylic paintings are realistic but can still absorb the fantasy element of the story. However, children will wonder where the animals come from in the first place and why the Santa statue--which has remained stationary throughout most of the book, but then suddenly climbs into a sleigh--doesn't save the day. Mahy's rhyming poetry begins weakly but gains strength. For larger collections. Kathryn Broderick
