A house cat's behavior comes under scrutiny in this hybrid of storybook and nonfiction. Bob, apparently a teenager, arrives to house-sit for the Fosters and take care of their pet, Molly. On a typical spread, the left page is devoted to Bob's observations of Molly's seemingly odd behavior, while the facing page explains it (e.g., Bob offers an obviously interested Molly a piece of his chicken, but she ignores it?until he throws it toward her bowl; the author explains that cats' vision is attuned more to motion than to color). Among the topics Bonners (Hunter in the Snow: The Lynx) addresses are a cat's sleep patterns, sense of smell and demonstrations of contentment. The information is relayed efficiently but not compellingly. Although Bonners's watercolor renderings of Molly and other types of cats appear in washed-out spots, they are for the most part lifelike and relay a great deal of information. Unfortunately the jerky transitions of the fictional narrative, as well as its lack of real story, make this book primarily for cat watchers. Ages 5-9.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From School Library Journal
Grade 2-4-Bonners uses a two-part approach to explain feline behavior. On one side of the page she introduces Bob, a young man who is pet-sitting for a cat. Not familiar with these animals, he constantly wonders about Molly's actions. On the opposite page, the author presents a scientific explanation of each behavior. Small watercolor-and-ink drawings appear on both sides of the page. The information is boxed and set off by a different typeface. The pictures on these pages show a mix of wild and domestic cats; the wild species (e.g., a cougar, a lion, and a lynx) are named but breeds are not provided for the domestic cats. This inconsistent labeling as well as the switching back and forth from story to fact might be confusing to children. Still, the information is accurate and presented in an unusual way. The book will leave readers informed but still curious. Perhaps that's why Bob is shown on the last page browsing through a title on cat behavior. One book on these fascinating creatures isn't enough.
Judith Gloyer, Milwaukee Public Library
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.
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