Joseph and Chico: The Life of Pope Benedict XVI as Told By a Cat (Hardcover)

by Jeanne Perego (Author), Donata Dal Molin Casagrande (Illustrator), Georg Ganswein (Introduction)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
In this beautifully illustrated book for children, Chico the cat describes the life of his "best friend", Pope Benedict, in this authorised biography of the Pope for young people approved by the Vatican.

"Dear Children, here you will find a biography that is different than others because it is told by a cat and it is not every day a cat can consider the Holy Father his friend and sit down to write his life story," the Pope's personal secretary, Monsignor Georg Ganswein, says in the foreword.

The Pope is known for his fondness of animals, especially cats, and Joseph and Chico is narrated by Chico, a real cat who took up with the Pope in his native Germany long before he became the Pope. Chico tells the story of the life of "my best friend" from his birth in Germany in 1927, through his days as a young man, priest, bishop and cardinal.

With a colorful and sometimes amusing language, the author makes this funny cat tell us about the life of the young Joseph all the way up to his election as Pontiff on April 19, 2005. It recounts the Nazi era in Germany when the Pope was a teenager, calling the war years "one of the most dramatic and shameful times in the history of man". Later when he became Cardinal Ratzinger, Chico recounts how each time when the Cardinal returned to Germany from Rome for a vacation, the cat would run into his house and sit on his lap as he played the piano.

The lavish color illustrations throughout make this a wonderful gift book and a cherished keepsake for people of all ages!

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9-12
  
• Hardcover: 44 pages
• Publisher: Ignatius Press (March 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1586172522
• ISBN-13: 978-1586172527
• Product Dimensions: 11.7 x 8.7 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #68,354 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful Story with Beautiful Illustrations, March 22, 2008

By	annie "grannieannie" (MI) - See all my reviews

This is a great story for children about the life of Pope Benedict. It is written from the perspective of a beautiful tabby cat named Chico. He draws you into his story with the first sentence: "MEEOOOOW! I'm Chico, and who are you?"

Sprinkled with humor throughout the entire book, we also find a lot of very interesting information about the life of Pope Benedict. It is written in a fashion that will keep children interested even though there is a lot of text for a children's book.

Chico's great sense of humor shows in his reaction to war. He writes: "We cats do not make war. We don't even know what wars are. In order to make other cats aware that they are crossing over into our territory, or that they are courting a cat who's already engaged to be married, we put on a threatening look, raise the fur on our backs, puff out our tails, and screech at the top of our lungs, "RRRREEEOOOOOWWW!", which would frighten anyone. It's a shame that you humans are not so advanced."

I agree with the previous review that the book is actually appropriate for slightly older children than 4-8 years, possibly 7-12; and there is no doubt that cat lovers will love this book.

I also recommend "Friday Night with the Pope" if you haven't already read it. It is a beautiful story about Pope John Paul II and a Friday evening meal with Jewish friends told through the eyes of a young boy.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Endearing and Informative, April 12, 2008

By	Patricia L. Marks (Morristown, N.J. United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This tender book about Pope Benedict and his love of cats is very endearing and informative. It shows the gentle nature of a somewhat shy scholar who was reluctant when chosen Pope. His reputation as the stern head of the Holy Office preceded him. Now after these few years as Pontiff, he has become an beloved writer and thinker to so many.

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Cute Book For Children and Cat Lovers, March 19, 2008

By	Dennis Doverspike "hrlitehouse" (University of Akron, OH, USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I bought this book for my mother, a devout Catholic and a cat lover. This book pleased both the Catholic and the cat lover in her. Although this book appears to be written for children, it is the type of cute book that will appeal to the cat lover as well. I am not an expert in assessing reading levels for children, but this book seems to be too difficult for the lower elementary grades. At that level, an adult might want to read the book to the child.