Available:*
Library | Call Number | Status |
---|---|---|
Searching... Silver Falls Library | JP RUBINGER | Searching... Unknown |
Bound With These Titles
On Order
Summary
Summary
Big Cat, Small Cat takes readers through a fantastical world of felines, where they will encounter many different pairs of cats--from good and bad to happy and sad. The book's sing-song text leaves out the last word of each page, allowing little ones to chime in and complete the rhyme. Captivating, colorful illustrations provide clues for the words that have been left out. Introducing words like "dirty," "clean," "nice," and "mean," Big Cat, Small Cat teaches children about rhyming and opposites with a fun, fill-in-the-blank challenge that encourages participation.
The illustrations by accomplished illustrator and cartoonist Ami Rubinger are charming and unique, depicting a variety of humorous cats that will engage young and old readers alike. With its message of acceptance, Big Cat, Small Cat evokes compassion for animals and presents an important lesson in diversity: cats--like people--come in many different shapes, sizes, and personalities. Beyond its wide general appeal, this book will interest children who have pets and all animal lovers.
Author Notes
Ami Rubinger , born in Jerusalem in 1953, began his career illustrating for the daily newspaper Ha'Aretz. He is currently an illustrator and cartoonist for the daily newspaper Yedioth-Achronot. Rubinger has written and illustrated over 15 books, including many children's titles, and has won numerous awards for his work. He resides in Tel-Aviv.
Reviews (4)
School Library Journal Review
PreS-K-Full spreads depict quartets of cats, illustrating opposites. Residing among pastel-hued, flowered hills, these cartoon felines vary in form, fur texture, and color. The drawings occasionally go garish, as in the case of the nose-dripping cat with a cold, or the devilish "bad" cat. Using an ABCA rhyme scheme, the simple sentences may make this book useful as an early reader. However, occasionally the awkward translation breaks the familiar pace: "This cat is young/this cat has reached old age. This cat is on the moon/this cat is in a cage." The bright cover will attract readers, but they might not find fulfillment within.-Gay Lynn Van Vleck, Henrico County Library, Glen Allen, VA (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Publisher's Weekly Review
This book about opposites, which introduces a quirky cast of bug-eyed cats, asks readers to supply missing words to complete rhyming sequences ("This cat is dirty/ This cat is clean/ This cat is nice/ This cat is..."). There are some odd juxtapositions and several of the felines have decidedly off-putting appearances, including a "bad" cat with flames blasting out of its ears. But the rhyme schemes and artwork make the missing words clear on each spread, and kids should enjoy filling (or shouting) in the answers. Ages 2-5. (Aug.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Kirkus Review
"This cat is big / This cat is small / This cat is short / This cat is" Cats of all shapes and sizes, ages, colors, heights and degrees of health are presented in rhyming couplets of opposites with the last word or phrase left out. Listeners and lap-sitters can supply the missing words, though in a couple of cases the youngest might need a little prompting: "This cat is scared / This cat is bold / This cat feels fine / This cat has a" (said cat droops with copious snot dripping from its nose in an instantly recognizable caricature of misery). Israeli cartoonist and creator of children's books Rubinger provides full-bleed, computer-generated landscapes in bold colors and mostly barren of all but cats displaying their necessary traits. A few don't much resemble felines, and the "mean" cat may scare a tot or two. That said, this is a good addition to shelves of concept books. It ends with a couplet indicating that it is bed time, so sharing one on one at night may suit it best. (Picture book. 2-5) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Booklist Review
Kids who love cats will enjoy seeing them in all kinds of shapes, sizes, colors, and demeanors. Translated from the Hebrew, this book, with an appealing horizontal format, also has a cute guessing game attached to it. Implied rhymes couplets introduce the kitties: This cat is dirty / This cat is clean / This cat is nice / This cat is . . . The feline's sharp teeth and claws, along with the ferocious look it's giving the nice cat, should be enough to help children to the word mean. Each two-page spread, in pure, Popsicle colors, features four felines, the rhyme, and the question. The cats have a computer-generated look, and most are googly-eyed, but the above-mentioned variations singularize them and give them appeal. Whether used as a simple read-aloud, a game, or an introduction to the concept of opposites, this should please many little ones.--Cooper, Ilene Copyright 2009 Booklist