Mrs. Katz and Tush

From Publishers Weekly
Zesty art and sensitive storytelling light up these two books, the first about an elderly Jewish widow and her young African American neighbor, the second set in Amish country. Ages 4-8. Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.


From School Library Journal
Kindergarten-Grade 3-- A warm, lovingly told story about an intergenerational relationship. It is the beginning of a long friendship between Mrs. Katz, widowed, childless, and lonely, and her young African-American neighbor, Larnel, when he presents her with a scraggly kitten. On his daily visit to the elderly woman and her pet, they talk about Mrs. Katz's husband, her arrival in the United States from Poland, and the similar experiences of Jews and African-Americans. Larnel accompanies her to say kaddish at her husband's grave, and attends her Passover seder. When Tush has kittens, Mrs. Katz feels fulfilled, a bubee (grandmother) at last. The final illustration shows an adult Larnel with Mrs. Katz holding his baby, and the story ends with him and his family visiting the woman's grave. Mrs. Katz's dialogue reflects her Yiddish background without being obtrusive. The charcoal and watercolor illustrations are in Polacco's usual style, with large areas of white space emphasizing the characters rather than their surroundings. The character portrayals are vivid and lively, with a hint of humor. Polacco pays careful attention to detail, even to the age blemishes on Mrs. Katz's hands. A fine book for group or individual sharing. --Susan Giffard, Englewood Public Library, NJCopyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.


From AudioFile
What a feast for the ears and eyes. This winning combination of author, illustrator and reader is one and the same person, Patricia Polacco. With her narration, Polacco adds a vivid dimension to her story of friendship and traditions. As Mrs. Katz, she speaks of "kaddish," fresh-cooked "kugel,"and her little "bubbelah" with perfect expression, and all readers understand the words. The addition of Scroggins to read the part of Larnel, the African-American boy who befriends Mrs. Katz, brings a nice immediacy for young listeners. The emphasis stays on the story while carefully chosen music and vibrant illustrations complete the program. This multi-cultural event is a read-along for every family member to enjoy. R.F.W. (c)AudioFile, Portland, Maine


From Kirkus Reviews
Larnel gets to know newly widowed Mrs. Katz when he goes along with his mother to pay a comforting visit; next day, he goes back with a tailless kitten (``Tush'') that she agrees to accept ``if you'll come and help me with her.'' So begins a touching friendship between the lonely old immigrant and the young African-American. ``Such a person,'' Mrs. Katz calls him- -her highest praise; they exchange feelings about being excluded from some places, and when he volunteers to share Passover (her first without Mr. Katz) she explains that it's a celebration of freedom: ``Like your people, my people were slaves.'' Tush has kittens--``at last I am a bubee!'' Much later, Larnel's babies also think of Mrs. Katz as their grandmother: on the last page, there is a kaddish and a headstone inscription: ``Mrs. Katz, Our Bubee...Such a Person.'' A book full of vibrantly idiosyncratic details; in the energetic illustrations, Polacco combines decorative patterns and lively action with her usual panache. Truly affectionate and heartwarming. (Picture book. 4-9) -- Copyright ©1992, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.


Review
"Polacco's bright double-spread watercolor paintings are exuberant...an elemental picture of human family."
--Booklist.

An American Bookseller Pick of the Lists.


Review
"Polacco's bright double-spread watercolor paintings are exuberant...an elemental picture of human family."
--Booklist.

An American Bookseller Pick of the Lists.


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K-Gr 3-- A warm, lovingly told story about an intergenerational relationship. It is the beginning of a long friendship between Mrs. Katz, widowed, childless, and lonely, and her young African-American neighbor, Larnel, when he presents her with a scraggly kitten. On his daily visit to the elderly woman and her pet, they talk about Mrs. Katz's husband, her arrival in the United States from Poland, and the similar experiences of Jews and African-Americans. Larnel accompanies her to say kaddish at her husband's grave, and attends her Passover seder. When Tush has kittens, Mrs. Katz feels fulfilled, a bubee (grandmother) at last. The final illustration shows an adult Larnel with Mrs. Katz holding his baby, and the story ends with him and his family visiting the woman's grave. Mrs. Katz's dialogue reflects her Yiddish background without being obtrusive. The charcoal and watercolor illustrations are in Polacco's usual style, with large areas of white space emphasizing the characters rather than their surroundings. The character portrayals are vivid and lively, with a hint of humor. Polacco pays careful attention to detail, even to the age blemishes on Mrs. Katz's hands. A fine book for group or individual sharing. --Susan Giffard, Englewood Public Library, NJ


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