Moonlight, The Halloween Cat

Moonlight, The Halloween Cat

Cynthia Rylant

Illustrated by Melissa Sweet

HarperCollinsPublishers, 2003

From the dust jacket, “Softly padding through the darkness, Moonlight explores the world on her favorite night, Halloween. The town and countryside glow with shining stars. The wide yellow moon lights pumpkins, raccoons, and children out having fun….

“Told in eloquently simple, lyrical words, with dazzling, Luminous paintings, Moonlight evokes not just the excitement of Halloween, but something more – the reassuring warmth and friendliness that is a special part of this special night.”

This is an early, early reader book – one that doesn’t have lots of crazy action, but instead, it has a sweet black cat (like me!) strolling through her neighborhood on Halloween night. It’s a perfect book to read after the festivities are over, to help calm the kittens down for a good night’s sleep.

Rating: 4 out of 5 paws for a lovely book about Halloween night!

Reviewer:

Simon

 

Los Gatos Black on Halloween

Los Gatos Black on Halloween

Marisa Montes

Illustrated by Yuyi Morales

Henry Holt and Company, 2006

From the dust jacket: “Under October’s luna, full and bright, the monsters are throwing a ball in the Haunted Hall. Las brujas come on their broomsticks. Los muertos rise from their coffins to join in the fun. Los esqueletos rattle their bones as they dance through the door. And the scariest creatures of all? Wait until you see them!

“This lively Halloween poem introduces a spooky array of Spanish words that will open your ojos to the chilling delights of the season.”

‘Spooky’ and ‘chilling’ are right words for this creepy picture book. The poem is fun and the illustrations are well-done (but not necessarily pretty) but I didn’t particularly like this book. I had mom get it for me because of the title – The Black Cats on Halloween (my interpretation) – and being a Halloween cat myself, I naturally thought the book was all about black cats! Was I ever surprised!!! It has witches, zombies, mummies, skeletons, and other monsters in it. Unless your kittens enjoy the spookier side of Halloween, then don’t read them this book – or show them the pictures! I know some families like spooky/creepy but I don’t, and neither does my family. The book is in no way offensive – just not what we like to read. There is so much darkness in the world, we prefer to stay in the light as much as possible!

Rating 3 out of 5 paws because although the book is well done, it’s not for us!

Reviewer:

Simon

Happy Halloween, Witch’s Cat

Happy Halloween, Witch’s Cat

Harriet Muncaster

Harper, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers, 2015

From the dust jacket, “A little girl believes her mother is a good witch, and she is a special witch’s cat. Together they’re out to find the perfect Halloween costume. But what could be better than being a witch’s cat?

“To create the whimsical world of Witch’s Cat, author-illustrator Harriet Muncaster handcrafted miniature three-dimensional scenes using paper, foil, fabric and other materials, then dramatically lit and photographed them for a truly magical look.”

I love this book. Again, like the previous Muncaster book, not for the story – which is cute, of course, but for the illustrations. The 3D and flat images combined to make some amazing artwork. It is so wonderful, when mom and I were reading it together, the art work brought tears to her eyes – it’s just that enchanting. The illustrations aren’t classically beautiful but wonderfully fanciful, enchanting (yes, I used that word again), and detailed. So detailed – down to the sun shining through the blowing curtain in the kitchen window. Also, all the tiny boxes of goods in the costume store – and the costumes – my goodness! So adorable with their hats, wigs, accessories and tons more. These miniature sets are wonderful. I know I’m repeating myself, but I can’t help it. Some cat families may not find the book as wonderful as we do, but because mom does her own collages and assemblages, we really appreciate the creativity, imagination, thought and hard work that has gone into these art works. This is most definitely a book we will be adding to our personal library – if only for inspiration!!!!

Rating: 5 out of 5 paws

Reviewer:

Simon

I Am a Witch’s Cat

I Am a Witch’s Cat

Harriet Muncaster

Harper, an imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers, 2014

From the dust jacket: “Every good witch needs a black cat. This is the story of one special cat and her good witch: a perfect twosome, whether they are mixing potions, growing magical plants, or dreaming of wild broomstick rides under a full moon.

“Harriet Muncaster’s warm, whimsical illustrations celebrate the playfulness of mother-daughter relationships everywhere.”

The story is very cute but what really won me over are the illustrations. They are a mix of freestanding drawings within a handmade 3-D miniature background. The drawings are ink and watercolor on heavy paper, cut out and positioned within the background. And, they are quite simply, amazing! So wonderfully artistic and detailed that each time I look at them I see something new. This is the author’s first children’s book and I certainly hope it’s not the last. The artwork will inspire many kittens (and cats, too!) to try their paw at making their own miniature scenes. This is one book we want to add to our permanent collection!!!

Rating 5 out of 5 paws because the artwork is AMAZING!!!!!

Reviewer:

Simon

The Sweetest Witch Around

The Sweetest Witch Around

Alison McGhee

Illustrated by Harry Bliss

A Paula Wiseman Book, Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2014

From the dust jacket, “All the witches in witch land are afraid of humans. The human ways are so mysterious. Why do those humans go house to house every Halloween saying “Trick or treat!” just to get candy? All witches know candy tastes yucky.

“But a brave little witch doesn’t think so. Before you can say “lollipop,” little Witchling is off to experience Halloween firsthand and to go get some candy for herself! Candy, yum!”

The Halloween book is really cute with the young ‘Witchling’ discovering for herself just how yummy candy is (well, at least to people, not cats). However, the best part is the Witch’s cat – an orange tabby, Kitty, is certainly not silent or without opinion! I also loved all the little details, like, “Graveyard Barbie” complete with “cut-out graves.” Then there’s the “Easy-Bake Cauldron” where the Witchling is attempting to make Slug & Spider Stew and Kitty’s standing nearby with an empty plate! This is the kind of Halloween story I like – fun and surprising!

Rating: 4 out of 5 paws because who doesn’t want to see a witches cat ride a broomstick??

Reviewer:

Simon