Oh, Cats! (My First I Can Read Book Series)

From School Library Journal
PreSchool-Grade 1. With large print and a vocabulary of about 25 words, this beginner book will be popular with children just learning to read. A girl finds three cats and plays with them. When they start to leave, she begs them to stay. There's a rollicking rhythm and lots of happy faces. Buck's rhyming sentences are enjoyable?"I can see cats. One, two, three cats," but occasionally stilted?"I will come, cats, to find one cat." Fortunately, Westcott's cartoon illustrations clarify the meaning, giving strong clues to support the text.?Sharon R. Pearce, San Antonio Public Library, TXCopyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist
Preschool^-Gr.1. A little girl tries to entice three feisty cats into becoming her playmates in a preprimer that tackles basic vocabulary. The story is sweet and very simple, with the text ensuring reading success by using fundamental vocabulary words (I, see, run, cat, play, come, etc.) over and over again. The double-page spread watercolors have a light, unrestrained feel, well suited to the exuberance of a child at play. Stephanie Zvirin

From Kirkus Reviews
A book that is a pleasure to read once and again--Buck (Sid and Sam, p. 65, etc.) scores with this entry in the My First I Can Read Book series. With a careful economy of words, Buck tells of a hopeful relationship between a girl and three cats. Using primarily four- word sentences and monosyllabic words, as well as internal rhyme for the sound of poetry, a girl urges cats to frolic with her. She tries to get them to swing, play hide-and-seek, and come down from a tree: ``If you stay, cats/we will play, cats. Up to you, cats./Be my new cats.'' Just when it seems the cats will run away, they all land together at her feet, in a cuddly heap. Fewer than 100 words faithfully employ repetition, yet also impart personality to the girl and the shy cats. The illustrations are full of mild humor and just the right amount of action, providing helpful clues for those deciphering the words. It can't be easy to make so few words add up to so much fun, but Buck and Westcott have done it. (Picture book. 5-8) -- Copyright ©1996, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

Book Description
When a young girl spies three cats in her yard, she hopes they will be her playmates! But these frolicking felines have other ideas for fun. Will they ever be her friends?

ANNOTATION

A child plays with three new cat friends.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Come and play, cats!

A little girl finds three cats in her yard. She hopes they'll stay and play. But these cats would rather jump and frolic and run away. Oh, cats! Will they ever be friends?When a young girl sees three cats in her yard, she thinks she has found three new playmates! But these frolicking felines have other ideas for fun. Emergent readers won’t be able to resist the enticing rhymes about these playful and mischievous kittens.

Author Biography: Laura Godwin has written several I Can Read Books under the name of Nola Buck including the popular Creepy Crawly Critters and Other Halloween Tongue Twisters and Santas Short Suit Shrunk and Other Christmas Tongue Twisters. Ms. Godwin lives in New York City.

Stacey Schuett has illustrated many popular picture books including the Lets-Read-and-Find-Out Science Book Day Light, Night Light: Where Light Comes From by Franklyn M. Branley and Somewhere In The World Right Now which she also wrote.

FROM THE CRITICS

Children's Literature - Wendy Keen

Cat lovers will particularly enjoy the antics of this trio of felines and the young girl who desperately wants to play with them. Simplicity and good humor makes this an appealing addition to the "My First I Can Read Book" series. Westcott's illustrations are as diverting as the tale (no pun intended) itself. Their bright and clean lines match the tone of Buck's text.

School Library Journal

PreS-Gr 1With large print and a vocabulary of about 25 words, this beginner book will be popular with children just learning to read. A girl finds three cats and plays with them. When they start to leave, she begs them to stay. There's a rollicking rhythm and lots of happy faces. Buck's rhyming sentences are enjoyable"I can see cats. One, two, three cats," but occasionally stilted"I will come, cats, to find one cat." Fortunately, Westcott's cartoon illustrations clarify the meaning, giving strong clues to support the text.Sharon R. Pearce, San Antonio Public Library, TX

Kirkus Reviews

A book that is a pleasure to read once and again—Buck (Sid and Sam, p. 65, etc.) scores with this entry in the My First I Can Read Book series.

With a careful economy of words, Buck tells of a hopeful relationship between a girl and three cats. Using primarily four- word sentences and monosyllabic words, as well as internal rhyme for the sound of poetry, a girl urges cats to frolic with her. She tries to get them to swing, play hide-and-seek, and come down from a tree: "If you stay, cats/we will play, cats. Up to you, cats./Be my new cats." Just when it seems the cats will run away, they all land together at her feet, in a cuddly heap. Fewer than 100 words faithfully employ repetition, yet also impart personality to the girl and the shy cats. The illustrations are full of mild humor and just the right amount of action, providing helpful clues for those deciphering the words. It can't be easy to make so few words add up to so much fun, but Buck and Westcott have done it.